What is ‘Windows Explorer hanging’ issue in Windows 10?
If you are experiencing ‘Windows Explorer hanging Windows 10’ problem and unable to use ‘File Explorer’ or ‘Windows Explorer’ in Windows 10, then you are in right place for the solution. Here, you will be guided with easy steps/methods to resolve the issue. Let’s starts the discussion.
‘Windows Explorer’ or ‘File Explorer’ in Windows 10: File Explorer (Formerly known as Windows Explorer) is component of Windows Operating System that provides GUI (Graphical User Interface) makes access data and operation of other functions much more comfortable. File Explorer or Windows Explorer offers you to access any location of your hard drive, or attached drive. It is quite simple to open ‘File Explorer’ or ‘Windows Explorer by clicking Windows Explorer icon on taskbar.
However, several users reported that they faced ‘Windows Explorer hanging Windows 10’ problem when they tried to use access certain files/folder in File Explorer or use ‘File Explorer’ in Windows 10 computer. Users explained that File Explorer crashes and freezes issues prevent them from using their Windows PC comfortably. Sometimes, File Explorer/Windows Explorer crashes issue is appeared with error ‘Windows Explorer has stopped working’ that indicates Windows computer can’t process Windows Explorer at this time properly and you need to wait until File Explorer is restarted automatically or you can force stop File Explorer process and then restart File Explorer in order to resolve the issue.
There could be several reasons behind this issue including corrupted System files or registry, problematic software and other reasons. Some users reported WinRAR files often appears to be the core of these bugs. However, it is possible to resolve the issue with our instructions. Let’s go for the solution.
How to fix Windows Explorer hanging Windows 10?
Method 1: Fix ‘Windows Explorer hanging/crashing/freezing’ issue with ‘PC Repair Tool’
‘PC Repair Tool’ is easy & quick way to find and fix BSOD errors, EXE errors, DLL errors, problems with programs/applications, malware or viruses issues, system files or registry issues, and other system issues with just few clicks. You can get this tool through button/link below.
Method 2: Clear File Explorer History
One possible way to fix the issue is to clear Windows Explorer/File Explorer history in Windows 10.
Step 1: Type ‘File Explorer Options’ in ‘Windows Search Box’ and open it from results appear
Step 2: In the opened window, click on ‘Clear’ button under ‘Clear File Explorer History’ and then hit ‘Ok’ button save the changes. Once done, restart Windows Explorer/File Explorer and check if the issue is resolved.
Method 3: Uninstall problematic software
Step 1: Type ‘View All’ in Windows Search box and hit ‘Enter’ key to open ‘Problem Report Window’
Step 2: In the opened window, find anything that is connected to Windows Explorer
Step 3: Right-click on the error and select ‘View technical details’
Step 4: From there, you will be able to determine which application is causing the issue. Now, open ‘Control Panel’ and go to ‘Uninstall a Program > Programs and Features’ and uninstall the program that was causing the issue, and then reinstall the program. Once done, check if the issue is resolved.
Method 4: Reset Network Adapter or perform Winsock reset in Windows 10
Step 1: Press ‘Windows + X’ keys on keyboard and select ‘Command Prompt as Administrator’
Step 2: Type ‘netsh winsock reset’ command and hit ‘Enter’ key to execute. This will reset your network adapter
Step 3: Once done, restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.
Method 5: Run SFC Scan tool in Windows 10
Windows build-in SFC Scan tool can fix this issue by repairing system files.
Step 1: Open ‘Command Prompt as Administrator’ using above method
Step 2: Type ‘sfc /scannow’ command and hit ‘Enter’ key to execute
Step 3: Restart your computer once executed, and check if the problem is resolved.
Method 6: Delete Graphics card Registry Keys to resolve the issue
You can also try to fix the issue by deleting your graphics card registry keys. But before that, you should create backup of registry entries that could help to restore them in case of damage.
Step 1: Press ‘Windows + R’ keys on keyboard, type ‘regedit’ in the ‘Run’ dialog box and hit ‘Ok’ button to open ‘Registry Editor’
Step 2: Navigate to following path in left pane
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\\Directory\\background\\shellex\\ContextMenuHandlers
Step 3: Click on ‘ContextMenuHandlers’ dropdown and find your graphics card driver that is running in your system.
Step 4: After that, click on ‘File > Export’ to create backup of your registry
Step 5: Once backup is created, find and delete the registry key (Folder) in left pane associated to your graphics card driver.
Step 6: Once done, restart your computer and check if the error is resolved.
Method 7: Fix Windows Explorer hanging issue using Registry Editor
Step 1: Open ‘Registry Editor’ using above method and navigate to following path in left pane of Registry Editor
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Classes\\Local Settings\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Shell
Step 2: Find and right-click on ‘BagMRU’ key in left pane under ‘Shell’ folder, and select ‘Delete’
Step 3: Once deleted, repeat the same step for ‘Bags’ key and delete it. Once done, close registry editor and check if the issue is resolved.
Method 8: Optimized Advanced System Settings
Step 1: Type ‘Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows’ in ‘Windows Search box’ and open it from results appear
Step 2: In the opened window, click on ‘Advanced’ tab and tick ‘Programs’ radio button under ‘Adjust for best performance of:’
Step 3: Now, under ‘Virtual Memory’ and select ‘Change’, and select ‘Automatically manage paging file size all drives option’ checkbox to check, and then hit ‘Ok’ button to save the changes, and hit ‘apply’ and ‘OK’ on ‘Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows’ window to save the changes. Once done, please check if the trouble is resolved.
Method 9: Run System Maintenance troubleshooter
Step 1: Open ‘Control Panel’ and click on ‘Small icons’ under ‘View By:’ section at top corner of window
Step 2: Now, click on ‘Troubleshooting’. In ‘Troubleshooting’ window, click on ‘View All’ in left pane and click on ‘System Maintenance’ in right pane. Follow on-screen instructions to finish troubleshooting
Step 3: Once done, restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.
Method 10: Perform Windows 10 Reset
If the issue is still persist, then you can try resetting Windows 10 in order to fix the issue.
Step 1: Open ‘Settings’ App in Windows 10 and go to ‘Update & Security > Windows Update > Reset This PC > Get Started’
Step 2: Select ‘Keep my files’ or ‘Remove Everything’ and follow on-screen instructions to finish resetting process
Step 3: Once done, restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.
Conclusion
I am sure this post helped you on How to fix Windows Explorer hanging Windows 10 with several easy steps/methods. You can read & follow our instructions to do so. That’s all. For any suggestions or queries, please write on comment box below.
