Strange Windows Explorer 'not responding' issue

I've been having issues with Windows Explorer that seems to happen every other day, but have not been able to diagnose what the problem is - nor can I tell what my computer is telling me what the problem is.

For no apparent reason, Windows Explorer stops working (but the screen [nor any programs running] doesn't 'grey out'), and that also affects the internet - which is usually the sign that Explorer has stopped working.

The last 2 times was when I was watching a video. The first of these instances was a YouTube video, and the second one I was watching something on my Roku box on my HDTV (I also had my PC turned on and logged in at the time); the internet cut out on it, which was when I realised it had happened again.

I've run anti-virus scans and used the usual error checking methods (chkdsk, SFC Scan, DISM) - which haven't told me about any errors.

I've been keeping the Event Viewer open when I log on to see if anything comes up (which nothing does that I can tell), except when I refresh it after the "freeze" happens, the EV stops working as well (but doesn't get greyed out). I can still move the 'windows' around [and minimize/maximize them], but anything else Windows Explorer-wise doesn't work; I try to open Explorer, but nothing happens, and when right clicking on the Desktop makes Explorer hang like it does.

I am then forced to do a hard reset, and when I re-open the Event Viewer, the only thing I can tell it tells me is that I've had to force my PC off (under "critical").

What other information do you need, and how do I save it and share it with you?

Hello, I tried doing a clean[ish] boot (I kept my anti-virus on), but seeing as it's just happened again nearly a week later since last time, it'd be a bit difficult to keep it that way for long periods (a bit like this Coronavirus funnily enough).

FYI, again, I wasn't doing anything particularly different when this happened - I was just on Firefox at the time.

Sorry it's taken 2 months to get back to you on this, but I've figured out what the cause was.

Strangely enough, it was Malwarebytes Anti-malware (free) when it tried to download/install a new version of it. Even trying to uninstall it caused the same problem I've been having.

I had to go into Safe Mode before I could remove it. I don't think it could have been a fake program, because I've had it installed ever since I got this computer a year or so ago (and I'd always [make sure I] use official websites when installing software).

That's strange...

I've just tried re-installing Malwarebytes from their site, and it's happened again; I just assumed it was a corrupt version, but maybe it's incompatible with another program, but it's not telling me what it is?



Ps. Thanks for your help there :)