Folder Problems

Question

Right so when I go to go on File Explorer it says working on it and the cursor turns into a blue loading thing and when i go to close it, it says that it isn't responding then removes my taskbar and my screen goes all grey, i have tried doing ALT + F4 but it doesn't work.

For windows 10 by the way

Answer 1

Hi Declan Mckinlay,

I don't have enough information to come up with a conclusion, but it might be related to the issue with your hard drive.

You may check for your drive health by using CrystalDiskInfo, it will report drive health based on S.M.A.R.T information.

Disclaimer: Microsoft provides no assurances and/or warranties, implied or otherwise, and is not responsible for the information you receive from the third-party linked sites or any support related to technology.

Please keep me updated with the screenshots of CrystalDiskInfo, remember covering your PII such as hard drive serial.

Thank you for your time.

Answer 2

I uninstalled the update that ends in 4126, it came out June 2026. I just did it an hour ago but it seesm to have fixed it.

Strangely another fix was to create a local account. After that logging in to Explorer in my regular account worked.

Answer 3

Let's check the Event logs for critical errors. Please open an elevated command prompt and enter the following commands.

wevtutil epl Application C:\application.evtx

wevtutil epl System C:\system.evtx

Upload C:\system.evtx and c:\applciation.evtx to GoFile.io and post the link here.

Answer 4

Hi @Declan Mckinlay

If File Explorer gets stuck on "Working on it", becomes unresponsive, and causes the taskbar to disappear or the screen to turn grey, it is often related to a corrupted File Explorer cache, a problematic Quick Access entry, or damaged system files.

Please try the following:

➜ Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

➜ Find Windows Explorer, right-click it, and select Restart.

➜ If File Explorer still freezes, open Task Manager → File → Run new task, type control folders, and press Enter.

➜ Under the General tab, set Open File Explorer to: This PC instead of Quick Access, then click Clear under Privacy.

➜ Open Command Prompt (Admin) and run:

sfc /scannow

Wait for the scan to complete and repair any corrupted system files.

➜ After that, run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

and restart the PC.

Could you also let us know:

➜ Does the issue occur every time you open File Explorer or only when opening a specific folder?

➜ Did this start after a Windows update, software installation, or any recent changes?

➜ Are you able to open folders through "This PC" or does File Explorer freeze immediately after launch?

These details will help determine whether the issue is related to File Explorer, a specific folder location, or Windows system files.

If this answer was helpful, please click Accept Answer and consider giving it an upvote.