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Cannot run File Explorer, Control Panel, Disk Cleanup or open External Hard Drive

Anonymous
2023-10-20T17:33:18+00:00

I just got this issue yesterday. When I attempt to open and go through file explorer it stops working and it stops responding so I have to force quit it. I have also tried to open disk cleaner, control panel and other windows programs but the same issue occurs. What is weird is that I can use my browser, Steam and most other programs, but not the Windows programs. What is also strange is that I cannot open my external hard drive as when it works very slowly its stuck on the quick access screen with the bar above almost fully green.

Has anyone else come across this issue?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update

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  1. DaveM121 891.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-10-21T06:44:41+00:00

    Sorry, I was offline.

    That does indicate a hardware issue, try replacing the cable first to see if that solves the problem, if not, then there is a physical problem with the drive.

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  2. DaveM121 891.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-10-20T18:35:23+00:00

    Download the widely available free CrystalDiskInfo utility, what does that report about the external drive?

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-10-20T19:30:20+00:00

    It does not show up in the program, but this appeared. I noticed as I poked around that the cable is not sitting well into the hard drive itself. Perhaps the cable itself or the Hard Drive might not be working?

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-10-20T18:31:28+00:00

    You are correct. Everything is responsive when I disconect my external hard drive. I guess there is the issue, but then how do I make my external hard drive work then?

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  5. DaveM121 891.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-10-20T18:07:51+00:00

    Hi, I am Dave, I will help you with this.

    1

    Right click your Start Button and open Disk Management, does that utility open, or is it slow to open or does it produce an error?

    2

    If you disconnect the external drive, can you open File Explorer and is it responsive?

    3

    Click your Start Button, then just type cmd and on the resulting menu, right click Command Prompt and select 'Run as Administrator'

    Paste this command into Command Prompt and press Enter:

    del /F /Q %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\*

    Paste this command into Command Prompt and press Enter:

    del /F /Q %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations\*

    Paste this command into Command Prompt and press Enter:

    del /F /Q %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\CustomDestinations\*

    Then, close Command Prompt and restart (not shut down) your PC.

    Can you then use File Explorer?

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