Taskbar freezes after a minute, refreshing explorer only temporary


  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
       #1

    Taskbar freezes after a minute, refreshing explorer only temporary


    Hello all,

    Just one of many issues that has plagued my laptop recently is the inability to use the taskbar to open applications, run programs, open the start menu, or any of the extraneous functions located in the bottom right corner (an exception to this is the "Show desktop" panel in the bottom right, which still functions as normal and is able to minimize all applications at once). I have tried many different solutions, none of which have worked:


    • Closing/Restarting the "explorer" process in the expanded Task Manager. When I do this, the taskbar works as normal, though only for a brief moment. It has been the only way I can open up applications (Alt+Tab is surprisingly unreliable at displaying minimized processes). I have noted that when restarting explorer, it ceases to work once third party applications (placed under the carat near the wifi symbol) appear in the dock, along with the battery life.
    • Attempting to perform the series of instructions listed here- https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...39195ea?auth=1 . Powershell will not accept the command and running as an administrator is an impossibility, as right clicking on an application or shortcut simply leads to hanging on the layer it resided in (any explorer window will lock, as will the desktop, though the other windows that were not right-clicked in remain responsive).
    • Tomfoolery with folders and other objects is possible though slow.
    • Any attempt to restart the computer, of course, simply results in the same issues.


    I suspect it is being driven by a third party application, as the taskbar hangs once these are represented in it, but which one? There are a multitude of culprits, being a home computer, from antiviral software to games to social messaging applications including Skype or Discord. Any additional information as required can be (or attempted to be) supplied as necessary.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 4,752
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       #2

    First, try a Clean Boot. If this works then go to Start/Search and type CMD, Right click the CMD results and Run As Administrator. If you can't Right click, browse to C:\Windows\system32 scroll down and look for CMD.exe and click it.
    In the Elevated Command Prompt type SFC /scannow and press enter. This will replace any missing system files.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 579
    Windows 10 Home
       #3

    Voxelated,

    Welcome to the forum!

    Does the same problem happen in Safe Mode (SM)?
    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...dows-10-a.html
    Go to: Option 2

    I suspect it is being driven by a third party application
    ^^Good suspicion!^^

    ...and if the issue does not happen in SM, that gives more validity to your thought.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Hello, I'm on my phone now as my computer has severely crippled in function.

    Perhaps I should have mentioned I was running the display via external monitor; I was not aware that booting the computer into safe mode would cause it to ignore the drivers associated with HDMI. As my computer screen is broken, I have no way to see what shows up now.

    So, to derail my own topic, I have two paths to persue in getting my computer fixed once more:

    ーBuy an HDMI to DVI adapter and attempt to rectify my issue. I'm not sure if this will work considering I'll still need an HDMI port, but I believe DVI is built in, no?
    ーSee if I can blindly reconfigure Windows to boot into normal mode, allowing me to continue once more.

    If anyone knows how to fix this issue, I would much appreciate it.
      My Computer


 

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