File Explorer hangs at startup (until reboot)


  1. itm
    Posts : 139
    Windows 10
       #1

    File Explorer hangs at startup (until reboot)


    After using Windows 10 for a few hours I find that File Explorer hangs when I open it - it tries to display the Quick Access items, but never completes - I just see "Working on it..." in the preview pane. If I click on "This PC" in the left pane it also hangs with the same message. If I type an address directly into the address bar (e.g. "c:") it will display immediately.

    If I open a File Explorer window shortly after rebooting, and leave it open the whole time I can continue to select any entry from the left pane APART FROM "Quick Access" and "This PC", which hang with the message above.

    If I open a new File Explorer window after a few hours I only see the "Working on it..." message, and the left pane contains only these top-level items:
    - Quick Access (with no sub-items)
    - Desktop
    - This PC (with no sub-items)
    - Homegroup (with no sub-items).

    This doesn't happen when the machine is first booted, and only seems to start happening after a few hours. If I reboot the problem corrects itself.

    My initial thought was that there was something on my Quick Access list (e.g. a network share) which was inaccessible, and hence causing it to hang, but I can access every one of the folders in my Quick Access list from my "original" File Explorer window if I leave it open for the entire session.

    Any ideas for how to fix this?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 69
    Microsoft Windows 10 Home (x64) Build 1803
       #2

    I have often a lag when opening File Explorer: nothing serious and everything like it should be because it has to wake up the external USB drive which went to idle state in the meanwhile..

    I think it's something different for you, but the fact that you too experience it after a few hours could maybe point to something went to idle state, couldn't it? Do you have external HD / DVD in or soething like that?
      My Computer


  3. itm
    Posts : 139
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    It's not really a lag - the "working on it message..." never goes away (even leaving it overnight). I do have an external USB drive connected, but if I type its drive letter directly into the Explorer address bar it displays immediately, so Windows doesn't seem to have any problems accessing it.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 69
    Microsoft Windows 10 Home (x64) Build 1803
       #4

    itm said:
    It's not really a lag - the "working on it message..." never goes away (even leaving it overnight). I do have an external USB drive connected, but if I type its drive letter directly into the Explorer address bar it displays immediately, so Windows doesn't seem to have any problems accessing it.
    wow, so weird! hope someone could be helpful than me then!
      My Computer


  5. itm
    Posts : 139
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Some progress....I uninstalled the Dropbox app (for syncing and offline access to files) and it seemed to solve the problem. Not a good solution, as I really need to use the Dropbox!!

    ???
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 69
    Microsoft Windows 10 Home (x64) Build 1803
       #6

    itm said:
    Some progress....I uninstalled the Dropbox app (for syncing and offline access to files) and it seemed to solve the problem. Not a good solution, as I really need to use the Dropbox!!
    ???
    what dropbox client were you using? the app from Windows Store or the program one? you could try switching to the other..
      My Computer


  7. itm
    Posts : 139
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    brainvision said:
    what dropbox client were you using? the app from Windows Store or the program one? you could try switching to the other..
    I was using the Dropbox desktop app (downloaded from Dropbox). I tried replacing it with the Windows Store app, but that doesn't do syncing/offline access - if you request this feature it directs you to download the Dropbox desktop app!
      My Computer


 

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