Windows Explorer issue

I cannot be the only one here with this issue, but…. It seems all iterations of Windows 10 (and 8) have an issue where right clicking items on the taskbar at some point in time quits working. Or the Start menu will fail to respond, or slowly respond when either left or right clicking it.

I’ve seen this behavior in Window 8, and all versions of 10 up to the latest non-insiders build (Version 1703, Build 10563.332).

A search of the issue on the net reveals the best way to deal with this is it to start Windows Explorer, start Task Manager and restart Windows Explorer. Works every time.



The problem is the issue constantly returns if Window has been up for any length of time. Have no idea why this happens and it seems no update has solved it.

Here's one thread on the issue, and it goes all the way back to Windows 8 - Windows Explorer Not Responding

Thoughts/Suggestions???

Mods, I posted this here for the widest dissemination to see how prevalent this issue really is. If it has to be moved I get it, but...

Thanks.

sygnus21 said:

I cannot be the only one here with this issue, but…. It seems all iterations of Windows 10 (and 8) have an issue where right clicking items on the taskbar at some point in time quits working. Or the Start menu will fail to respond, or slowly respond when either left or right clicking it.

I’ve seen this behavior in Window 8, and all versions of 10 up to the latest non-insiders build (Version 1703, Build 10563.332).

A search of the issue on the net reveals the best way to deal with this is it to start Windows Explorer, start Task Manager and restart Windows Explorer. Works every time.



The problem is the issue constantly returns if Window has been up for any length of time. Have no idea why this happens and it seems no update has solved it.

Here's one thread on the issue, and it goes all the way back to Windows 8 - Windows Explorer Not Responding

Thoughts/Suggestions???

Mods, I posted this here for the widest dissemination to see how prevalent this issue really is. If it has to be moved I get it, but...

Thanks.

Unfortunately, it's fairly common. IMO, the code gets "tired" or bloated up somehow. It's common enough that Shawn has made a "tweak" for the context menu to make it really simple to restart Explorer. When mine seems to just bog down or act weird, I just right click context menu and do it. Done.

Restart Explorer Context Menu - Add in Windows 10 Windows 10 Customization Tutorials

It's ridiculous you have to resort to such a thing, but I guess I'll be using Shawn's Context Menu. I can't believe MS hasn't solved this issue though, especially since it's been around long enough.

Thanks.

Just added the shortcut. Thanks for the info

sygnus21 said:

It's ridiculous you have to resort to such a thing, but I guess I'll be using Shawn's Context Menu. I can't believe MS hasn't solved this issue though, especially since it's been around long enough.

Thanks.

Just added the shortcut. Thanks for the info

You're welcome! :)

Not a problem. I'd still like to leave this thread open for others to see, and perhaps use this temp fix until MS finally decides to address it.

Thanks.

Do you have this applied? It might help a little, if it is caused by file Explorer.

Code:

reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v "SeparateProcess" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer" /v "DesktopProcess" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f

I've never experienced this (as you can see using the AU); my PC is on most of the day or in sleep mode- I shut it down at night, less usually during the day - and I have a LOT installed.

I'd compare performance in Safe Mode, then if that's ok, consider what shell extensions you have.
(Oh, I don't use the Win 10 start menu, but haven't seen that fail to open on the odd occasion I've used it in answering a thread).

Of course then there are differences in hardware and drivers...

TairikuOkami said:

Do you have this applied? It might help a little, if it is caused by file Explorer.

Code:

reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v "SeparateProcess" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer" /v "DesktopProcess" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f

Can you explain a bit - what are this reg keys for? @TairikuOkami

dalchina said:

I've never experienced this (as you can see using the AU); my PC is on most of the day or in sleep mode- I shut it down at night, less usually during the day - and I have a LOT installed.

I'd compare performance in Safe Mode, then if that's ok, consider what shell extensions you have.
(Oh, I don't use the Win 10 start menu, but haven't seen that fail to open on the odd occasion I've used it in answering a thread).

Of course then there are differences in hardware and drivers...

If i can add my 2 cents...

I've experienced delayed response on one occasion, like a year ago and sometimes in milder version later.. It turned out that network connection were in "recent" area of Explorer context menu (right clicking on taskbar..)

I have MyCloud on network and when it goes to sleep, it needs few seconds to respond. Right click menu tries to connect or at least verify that listed folders are available, hence the delay. Once, when I disconnect it temporary, explorer wasn't responding at all.

AndreTen said:

Can you explain a bit - what are this reg keys for? @TairikuOkami

It separates explorer to multiple processes to avoid issues like CU did to svchost.

How to start File Explorer in a separate process in Windows 10 - Winaero

DesktopProcess

TairikuOkami said:

It separates explorer to multiple processes to avoid issues like CU did to svchost.

How to start File Explorer in a separate process in Windows 10 - Winaero

DesktopProcess

Thanks, was just checking, if this is some alternate variation.. usual warning for running Explorer this way:

So why is this option not enabled by default? Because it has many side effects and should not be used on systems with less than 4GB RAM (since it takes slightly more memory). Also it can confuse Explorer extensions when they find there are more than one instance of them running.