Windows 10 file explorer problem

Guma006 · 26 Sep 2020

I bought a PC this year with Windows 10 installed, and it went fine but after some time it started freezing whenever I opened the file explorer or if I right clicked on a file or in the desktop. The files in the desktop also display a blank page instead of their usual icon. I have no clue what may have caused this and it is very infuriating. I have tried several solutions that I found on internet, such as removing desktop menus from my NVIDIA graphic card, typing sfc /scannow to see if it detected any issues(it didnt) and also going into file explorer options and checking and unchecking whatever it said on the internet(most of the options were already checked or unchecked how they were supposed to).
It is really a big deal because some times it works just fine, but most of the time it just stays there loading or it doesnt respond at all and I have to close it, if I open it again it still wont work. It happens in any folders, and when I open the file explorer directly (the This PC folder) it just crashes. I would really appreciate it if anyone here knows of any solution that actually works for me.

dalchina · 26 Sep 2020

Hi, the forum asked you to give your full build number and told you how, so we don't have to keep asking. Thanks.

Please complete your PC specs (click My Computers under my post for comparison). Tutorial available if needed.

Please include details of your disks.

if I right clicked on a file or in the desktop

Typical of a problem shell extension added by a program you have installed.
Download install and use Shellexview (free) to disable non-MS extensions and identify problem. No need to log off each time. Tutorial available.

It is really a big deal because some times it works just fine, but most of the time it just stays there loading or it doesnt respond at all and I have to close it, if I open it again it still wont work.

- what is 'it' here? file explorer?

Please start by disabling shell extensions, note and compare performance and post back.

If still problems, please perform a clean boot (Google or see tutorial if unsure how).
Note and compare performance and post back.

Two ways to help you help yourself:

Do you have System Restore enabled so you can often immediately correct problems you notice?

And have you discovered the value of using disk imaging routinely, so you can quite readily restore your system to a previous good state without technical help - even if your disk fails and you need to replace it? E.g. Macrium Reflect (free/paid) + large enough external storage for image files.

Thanks.