How do I fix an issue where I can't upload any files from my downloads? (need answer quick)

Question

So I've been facing this issue for the past couple hours where whenever I try to upload something for example a pdf from the file explorer popup when I click like "attach file" in email or something and I go to my downloads, it says waiting for it for ever and if I try to click anything it freezes and eventually says not responding. So I have to close it manually. It can open other files like document or music perfectly fine but is js an issue when it's downloads. I've tried a lot of methods to try and fix it including deleting cache and extensions resetting chrome settings updating my drivers multiple times updating windows rebooting and everything I just can't seem to fix it. I get the same issue with chrome in ms edge and also in incognito. I can still open my file explorer n view my downloads fine when I'm not trying to upload anything and I don't remember downloading anything like a virus or something. If this is maybe a virus I hope someone can let me know. Or if it's just windows bugging out let me know how to fix it, I really need to be able to upload a file and my deadline is withing a week so please help me asap

Answer 1

Hi kazi Muhtadi,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum. I understand how stressful it is when file uploads suddenly stop working, even though everything else seems fine.

Based on what you’re seeing, this issue may be tied to how the system file picker interacts with the Downloads folder. I can see that the Q&A assistant has already provided several suggestions. If the problem is still persisting, here are a few additional steps we can try next:

Step 1: Reset how Windows treats the Downloads folder

Sometimes Windows handles Downloads like a media folder, which can cause the file picker to hang during uploads.

1. Open File Explorer then right‑click on Downloads and select Properties
2. Go to the Customize tab and under Optimize this folder for, select General items
3. Check Also apply this template to all subfolders
4. Click Apply and OK
5. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, find Windows Explorer and click Restart

After that, try attaching the file again.

Step 2: Turn off file previews (thumbnails)

File previews, especially for PDFs or ZIP files, can cause the upload window to freeze.

1. Open File Explorer
2. Click the three‑dot menu (…) and choose Options
3. Open the View tab and select Always show icons, never thumbnails
4. Click Apply and OK
5. Restart Windows Explorer again

Step 3: Check for a corrupted file in Downloads

In some cases, a single incomplete or corrupted file can affect the whole Downloads folder.

1. Open Downloads and change the view to List or Details
2. Sort by Date modified
3. Create a new folder (for example, TempDownloads) on your Desktop
4. Move files out of Downloads in small batches
5. After each batch, test attaching a file to see if the issue is gone

This helps narrow down if one specific file is causing the problem.

Since you’re up against a deadline right now, a quick workaround is to copy the file from Downloads into Documents or Desktop or a new folder (for example, C:\Uploads) and upload it from there.

If you try these steps and the issue still comes back, please let me know and we’ll keep working through it together.

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Answer 2

It sounds like you're experiencing a frustrating issue with uploading files from your Downloads folder. Here are a few troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve the problem:

1. Check File Permissions: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to access the files in your Downloads folder. Right-click on the folder, select Properties, and check the Security tab.
2. Disable Antivirus/Firewall Temporarily: Sometimes, security software can interfere with file uploads. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus or firewall to see if that resolves the issue.
3. Run File Explorer as Administrator: Right-click on the File Explorer icon and select "Run as administrator". This may help with permission issues.
4. Check for Corrupted Files: If a specific file is causing the issue, try uploading a different file from the Downloads folder to see if the problem persists. If it only happens with certain files, they may be corrupted.
5. Clear Temporary Files: Use the Disk Cleanup tool to clear temporary files that may be causing issues. You can access it by searching for "Disk Cleanup" in the Start menu.
6. Create a New User Profile: Sometimes, user profiles can become corrupted. Try creating a new user account and see if the issue persists when logged into that account.
7. Check for Windows Updates: Make sure your Windows operating system is fully updated, as updates can fix bugs and improve performance.

If none of these steps work, it may be worth checking with your IT department or seeking further assistance, as the issue could be related to specific system configurations or policies.

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References:

• Resolve file upload errors in Microsoft Forms

Answer 3

Do you have an antivirus or something? It might lock the file so you can't access it.