Programs and explorer keeps freezing on usage

Question

Hello,

I am having issues with my Windows lately. There are occurrences of programs freezing when I try to access the disc or use file manager. I have two hard drives (1x SSD with system + 1x HDD for other things, which occurs on both)Few examples:1) Browser - When trying to download a file from an internet browser, the browser freezes (tried at Chrome, Opera, Edge)2) Office - When trying to save as i.g. I have a new excel sheet, and when I click save as, the program freezes. This is not only Office programs but all programs where you "save as"3) Steam - when I click Download button on game in library, Steam freezes4) Moving files - sometimes when trying to copy files from one place to another on the disc, explorer freezes5) Start - Sometimes the Start menu doesn't allow me to search6) All programs - Sometimes after booting the PC, It doesn't allow me to run any programs. For clearance. I try to run the program and nothing happens, then sometimes after about 5-10 minutes they start all at once.These problems and others happen most of the time, there are occurrences when things run fine (except for Steam)Things I have tried:1) Command control panel:Tried to run SFC /scannow - shows no problemschkdsk /f /r /v - 1) on system disk (SSD 500GB no problems 2) on the second disk (HDD 1TB got stuck on stage 4 on 0% - about "only" 45minutes, then I had to leave)DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth - No problemsDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth - No problems DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth - No problems

netsh winsock reset 2) Malware scan - MalwareBytes free version - found 3 potentional malwares that I deleted - no change3) Restoro program - I tried running and repairing (paid version) - this actually helps for a bit. After running the scan and repairing, the Browsers and Office programs run fine, until restart (Steam still freezes)4) Tried to scan RAM for errors (built in windows scanner) - no problems5) Shut down most "on start" services - no change6) disabled most explorer extentions (winRar, video programs, VisualStudio etc) - no changeMy Specs:CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600GPU: GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER WINDFORCE OC 3X 8G, 8GB GDDR6MotherBoard: ASUS PRIME X570-P - AMD X570RAM: HyperX Fury Black 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 2666System disc: WD SSD Blue 3D NAND, 2,5" - 500GBOther disc: WD Blue (EZEX), 3,5" - 1TBI am at my wits end as I am trying to avoid re-installing Windows at the moment.I am using the computer for work and for school (distance college) and it would require setting up a load of programs again that I am using daily because the deadlines are imminent.Any help or recommendations will be appreciated. In the section bellow is system log error, when Start Menu search bar failed:

• <Event xmlns="**http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event**">
• <System> <Provider Name="Application Hang" /><EventID Qualifiers="0">1002</EventID><Version>0</Version><Level>2</Level><Task>101</Task><Opcode>0</Opcode><Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords><TimeCreated SystemTime="2022-12-20T12:54:22.9425886Z" /><EventRecordID>57837</EventRecordID><Correlation /><Execution ProcessID="0" ThreadID="0" /><Channel>Application</Channel><Computer>DESKTOP-DJSUDIR</Computer><Security /></System>
• <EventData> <Data>SearchApp.exe</Data><Data>10.0.19041.2364</Data><Data>21bc</Data><Data>01d914720a3b4be0</Data><Data>4294967295</Data><Data>C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy\SearchApp.exe</Data><Data>8d42da28-d66e-4ded-9349-ad8f3e6d9b89</Data><Data>Microsoft.Windows.Search_1.14.7.19041_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy</Data><Data>ShellFeedsUI</Data><Data>Cross-thread</Data><Binary>430072006F00730073002D007400680072006500610064000000430072006F00730073002D00700072006F0063006500730073000000410063007400690076006100740069006F006E0000000000</Binary></EventData> </Event>

Answer 1

Hi, thanks for the detailed information, as per checking and analyzing the event files you have, there are general errors on the event files, moreover kindly follow the steps below for us to fix the issue:

Method 1. Clear cache of File explorer

-Open Run Command ( Press Windows key + R)

-Copy, paste then click ok the file path below:

%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations

Delete everything inside the AutomaticDestinations folder

-Restart PC and check

Method 2. Do clean boot:

A “clean boot” starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, so that you can determine whether a background program is interfering with your game or program.

• In the search box on the taskbar, type msconfig and select System Configuration from the results.
• On the Services tab of System Configuration, select Hide all Microsoft services, and then select Disable all.
• On the Startup tab of System Configuration, select Open Task Manager.
• Under Startup in Task Manager, for each startup item, select the item and then select Disable.
• Close Task Manager.
• On the Startup tab of System Configuration, select OK. When you restart the computer, it's in a clean boot environment.

troubleshooting reference: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929135...

Method 3. Run memory diagnostic tool: Memory diagnostic tool is a RAM test to check if there is any issues with RAM.

• Press Windows key + R then type in mdsched.exe hit OK then restart the device.

Answer 2

Hello CatteryDeveloper,

Defrag was the first thing that I tried, It just didn't cross my mind to mention it, since I took it as an automatic first solution, sorry for that. I tried again just in case, to no avail.

Rebuilding the search index didn't help much either, unfortunately (Although thank you for the tip, I didn't know you have to do it manually, I presumed it was included in the defrag)

I tried running as Admin (Steam) and it actually let me download something. So I am wondering if you are up to something.

Overall; after rebuilding the index, the delay before the programs start might have shortened a bit. But the main issue still prevails - freezing programs on download / accessing disk.

Thank you for your input, it was very promising. If you have any other tips, I would be very grateful.

Answer 3

Hello Bernard,

thank you for your reply.

You will find system log in the link below:

winSys_log.evtx

If you need anything else, please let me know

Thank you

Michal

Answer 4

Hi and thanks for reaching out. My name is Bernard a Windows fan like you. I'll be happy to help you out today.

I understand the issue you have, nothing to worry I am here to help, and just to confirm can you still use the affected device? if so, we need to analyze the error, can you please check the System logs on the PC so that we can further examine what is the root cause of the issue?

To do this kindly follow the steps from this link:

https://www.yourwindowsguide.com/2017/12/how-to...

Then please upload it to Cloud storage and please share the shareable link here.

Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Let me know how it goes and I hope that helps.

Bernard

Answer 5

Sounds like you may have a few fragmented files. Also sounds like you need to rebuild your search index. I would try to defrag the computer. type cmd.exe defrag and follow the prompts. Or you can use the gui version by right clicking on the hdd icon under my computer. Also if your paths are extremely long the computer will be like duhhh when moving files. Have you tried moving the files via command prompt.

cmd.exe ¿

I wonder if you should run the programs as admin to gain read/write access.