Weird Explorer hang when Libraries are shown in Navigation Pane?

JohnnyGui · 03 Mar 2020

For some reason, showing the "Libraries" header in the left Navigation Pane causes a specifc Explorer hang which forces you to either end it through Task Manager or wait for a really long time for it to become responsive again.

Before reporting this in the Feedback Hub, could someone please test this out for me with the following 3 steps?

1. Make sure "Libraries" are shown in the Navigation Pane by doing the following:

Weird Explorer hang when Libraries are shown in Navigation Pane?-file_explorer.jpg

2 Then right-click on any random file that you have that is associated with an app/software (audio file, document, etc.) and choose "Properties". In the Properties box, click on "Change" as shown here:

Weird Explorer hang when Libraries are shown in Navigation Pane?-properties.png

3. In the upcoming list, choose "Look for another app on this PC":

Weird Explorer hang when Libraries are shown in Navigation Pane?-windows-10-my-capture-0003.png

A dialog box appears in which you can browse. Just click "Cancel" on that.

The Properties box then becomes unresponsive and I can't click anywhere on it.

Anyone else having this?

FreeBooter · 03 Mar 2020

I have no problems.

Did you install any third-party codecs they could be causing the problem.

Disable third-party shell extensions see if any one of them causing the problem.

https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shexview.html

Fix: Slow Right Click and Explorer Crashes Caused by Shell Extensions >> Winhelponline

JohnnyGui · 03 Mar 2020

FreeBooter said:

I have no problems.

Did you install any third-party codecs they could be causing the problem.

Disable third-party shell extensions see if any one of them causing the problem.

https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shexview.html

Fix: Slow Right Click and Explorer Crashes Caused by Shell Extensions >> Winhelponline

Hmm this is weird. I don't have the mentioned issues in your given links.

I have tried a clean boot but it still happens when Libraries are shown in the Navigation Pane. Even a clean install didn't fix this.

What build number do you have? I have 18363.693

Anyone else with 18363.693 able to reproduce this?

FreeBooter · 03 Mar 2020

I have Version: 1909 Build: 18363.657

KeithM · 03 Mar 2020

Not seeing this behavior. Dialog responds after cancelling Common dialog.

JohnnyGui · 03 Mar 2020

KeithM said:

Not seeing this behavior. Dialog responds after cancelling Common dialog.

Thanks for testing. How about if you expand the Libraries header by clicking on the arrow left of it and then repeat the steps?

KeithM · 03 Mar 2020

JohnnyGui said:

Thanks for testing. How about if you expand the Libraries header by clicking on the arrow left of it and then repeat the steps?

No difference. If displaying LIbrairies in the Navigation Pane seems to trigger issues, check that all the Libraries are functional. Check their Properties to ensure none refer to folders that no longer exist.

JohnnyGui · 04 Mar 2020

KeithM said:

No difference. If displaying LIbrairies in the Navigation Pane seems to trigger issues, check that all the Libraries are functional. Check their Properties to ensure none refer to folders that no longer exist.

I don't have any issues with the Libraries, their Properties work fine.

So someone at Technet was able to reproduce the issue.

There seems to be a specific way to do this. Try deselecting the Libraries again through my previous shown picture and instead, show the Libraries by right-clicking in the Navigation Pane like this:

Then please do the steps in the OP, you may have to repeat these steps a few times. (it doesn't always occur at my end either)

xaccell · 04 Mar 2020

I don´t think it is a generic bug, I think it is because you have something specific causing this behaviour. Are your libraries customized? Also check your hard drive.

JohnnyGui · 04 Mar 2020

xaccell said:

I don´t think it is a generic bug, I think it is because you have something specific causing this behaviour. Are your libraries customized? Also check your hard drive.

My libraries are not customized no and I don't have any 3rd party customization software installed.

The thing is that this issue does not happen every time at my end either, it's random. The guy at Technet also had to do it several times to reproduce it, after repeatedly showing and hiding the Libraries in the Navigation Pane.