Certain file types freezing explorer permanently

Hi Denys,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!

I'm sorry to hear that your File Explorer is freezing when interacting with specific file types, and I understand how annoying and disruptive it can be. The fact that it works on another user account suggests the issue is user-profile specific, not system-wide. Thank you for sharing the troubleshooting steps you've already taken. It helps us skip those options and jump to the next ones, without wasting your time!

1 - Check if the problem relates to thumbnail & icons:

• Open File Explorer > View > Check (or uncheck):
  • Always show icons, never thumbnails
  • Launch folder windows in a separate process
• 
• Clear thumbnail & icon cache by pressing Win + R > cleanmgr > Enter
  • Select Thumbnails and Temporary files
  • OK > Restart your PC.

2 - Reset File Explorer

• Open Task Manager > Find Windows Explorer > right-click > Restart.
• Try unplugging external drives (if any) from the PC and see if the issue persists.

3 - Disable possible faulty extensions/applications

• Download ShellExView - Shell Extension Manager For Windows
• Run it as Admin > sort by Company > disable all non-Microsoft entries
• Open Command Prompt (Admin) > restart Explorer by running:
  • taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
  • start explorer.exe

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• If that doesn't work, try to restart with Clean Boot:
  • Find msconfig > disable all non-Microsoft startup items/services > restart PC
  • If File Explorer is running fine, it's likely that one of your downloaded apps was the cause.
  • You may need to manually disable/enable one item after another to identify the offender, then consider removing or disabling it.

Disclaimer: A "clean boot" starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It helps to determine whether a background service is interfering with your game or program and to isolate the cause of a problem. To avoid any trouble, please follow them in order and step-by-step so it can help you get back on track.

4 - Repair with built-in or in-place upgrade (both options keeping your files)

• Check Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates
• If you're on the latest build > Settings > System > Recovery
• Click Reinstall now in the Fix problems using Windows Update box
• 

If all previous solutions failed, an in-place upgrade may be the most reliable solution. Follow these instructions to Reinstall Windows with the installation media - Microsoft Support > Navigate to the bottom of the page and expand In-place Upgrade.

Disclaimer: The built-in upgrade and in-place install can both help fix/refresh your Windows without removing files or applications. That being said, we always recommend that if you have important data, you should back it up before making large system changes. If you want to back up your data first, please do so. 

In case you don't want to go over all the steps, creating a new user profile and transferring your files there may be the most stable long-term solution. Let us know if you'd like help walking through any of these steps! Thanks for your time!

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Hi Denys,

Just checking in to see if the above information was helpful. If you have any further updates on this issue, please feel free to post back. If you think my reply is helpful to you, please remember to mark it as an answer. Warm thanks.