Windows file explorer has stopped responding


  1. Posts : 21
    Windows 10
       #1

    Windows file explorer has stopped responding


    Hi everyone,
    Having an issue with a clients laptop. File explorer stops responding when the Quick Access tab is opened. After some testing I was able to stop the problem in Quick Access options ticking "show recently used files in Quick Access" and "Show frequently used folders in Quick Access", hitting clear and restoring defaults.
    That job had left the shop, the laptop is now back a month later with the same issue. Is there a way that I can fix this specific permanently?
    -Hayden
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 13,900
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #2

    Could be a number of issues, could be Quick Access is attempting to access files located on a LAN, a NAS drive attached to a Router or on removable drives such as a USB Thumb drive, maybe a second drive in the computer or a partition on the only drive. Or perhaps files that have been deleted but Quick Access didn't remove them from itself. Having such problems would suggest a diagnostic of turning Quick Access off and run without it while doing other file management functions.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 5,299
    Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
       #3

    Have you tried clearing the File Explorer history.

    Right click the Quick Access link and select Options.



    4) Under General tab, choose Clear under Privacy category. This will help you clear the File Explorer history.




    Unpin all the items from Quick Access by selecting Unpin from Quick Access right-click context menu option for the items pinned to Quick Access. If the issue resolves then you can then pin any item you want to see issue persist.

    Execute below command to reset quick access to it default.

    Code:
    del /F /Q %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations\*

    Have you also change the Open File Explorer to: This PC option at the Folder Options.


    Error check hard disk by executing Chkdsk C:\ /f command.

    Also execute Sfc /scannow command to repair any corrupted system files.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 21
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    FreeBooter said:
    .
    Hello there,
    Yes all processes previously completed and first steps take as mentioned in original post. I have narrowed the issue down to an external drive.
    -Hayden
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 21
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hello all,
    I will be marking this as solved. The steps that I have taken is removing the file explorer Icon adding a shortcut to my documents. This will stop the library from checking for the external drive that is constantly causing this problem.
    -Hayden
      My Computer


 

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