Windows Explorer Crashing

Question

Windows Explorer Crashing

Pavel 0

Windows Explorer is inconsistently crashing whenever I do pretty much anything. Try to search up a file, crash most of the time but not always. Just starting it up, crash maybe half the time. Right clicking specific types of files, may or may not crash depending on file (and sometimes those files make it crash too anyway so who even knows). Right clicking in general, crash. Shift right clicking is my safest bet, but can't do much if I can't even shift right click on anything before it crashes.

I've tried the DISM stuff, I've tried scannow, I've disabled every third-party thing affecting the context menu using ShellExView. I really, REALLY don't want to have to factory reset or something, I've downloaded too many things I want to keep and re-downloading everything is just going to be a huge hassle.

Windows 11.

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Answer 1

Ivan B 116.9K Independent Advisor

Hi,

First, go to Start > Settings > System > About and check if you are on the final version of Windows 11 (25H2). If so, go to the Windows Update tab and check for any pending updates.

If you are fully up to date, I recommend testing with the local administrator account to see if the issue is user-specific. Open the Command Prompt and run the command: net user administrator /active:yes. Then, restart your PC, log in as the administrator, and test to see if the problem persists. Please let me know the result here.

Thanks.

Pavel 0 Reputation points

2026-07-13T20:10:46.04+00:00

If I reboot, it'll work for a very short time before starting up again. I just updated it, but I am logged in as the admin account
Ivan B 116.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-13T20:19:06.47+00:00

Hi,

It's good that you updated. If possible, please test it on your account and on the administrator account to see if the problem occurs.

Thanks.
Pavel 0 Reputation points

2026-07-13T20:32:46.02+00:00

I meant that the one I use is the administrator account, sorry if it was unclear!
Ivan B 116.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-13T20:35:15+00:00

Hi,

I understand the situation regarding your account and administrator status; however, testing with the built-in administrator account would be a good way to determine if the Windows Explorer issue is caused by a problem with your specific user profile.

That is why I provided the command to enable the local administrator account—so we can test it alongside your regular user account.

Thanks
Pavel 0 Reputation points

2026-07-13T21:01:50.62+00:00

Well, I did that, and it still does it in the admin account. Also now my taskbar cannot be interacted with and I can't do anything with the tasks in Task Manager. So now I'm just really confused.
Ivan B 116.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-13T21:03:43.47+00:00

Hii,

I understand now we know that the problem is in windows itself if possible

Search for msinfo32.exe in the search bar, take a screenshot, and post it here so we can see the correct laptop model or desktop configuration.

Thanks
Pavel 0 Reputation points

2026-07-13T21:10:28.1933333+00:00
Ivan B 116.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-13T21:24:11.2033333+00:00

Hi,

Initially, just to be sure, access the link below:

https://www.msi.com/Laptop/Sword-16-HX-B14VX/support?sub_product=Sword-16-HX-B14VFKG#driver

Install these drivers:

Intel Serial IO Driver

Intel Management Engine Driver

Intel Smart Sound Technology driver

Realtek OED Driver

Realtek Audio Driver

Intel MVA Driver

Intel Smart Sound Technology OED driver

Nahimic Driver

Intel HID Event Filter

Intel Gaussian and Neural Accelerator Driver

Intel Chipset Driver

Intel® IPF Extensible Framework Driver

DTT Innovation Platform Framework

Intel Dynamic Tuning Driver

I know there are many drivers, but it's best to only use the manufacturer's drivers.

Open the command prompt (admin) and run the commands: sfc /scannow and dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth. Wait for the process to finish and restart the computer.

If you have any software like Google Drive, iCloud, or Terabox, if possible, disable them one at a time so we can test.

Regarding the taskbar, do you have any applications like Lively or Wallpaper Engine or something similar?

Although this is not a Microsoft website, it is the official website of [B14VFKG/MSI].

Thanks
Pavel 0 Reputation points

2026-07-13T21:41:43.96+00:00

Um... I'm a little worried about downloading new things, are the drivers meant to be batch files? The instructions on the site say they're executables, and the publisher is apparently unknown.

sorry, i'm just very paranoid about these things, i tried to install one but it didn't give me a message, just closed out :/
Ivan B 116.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-13T21:49:00.94+00:00

Hi,

Since these are chipset drivers, they shouldn't be downloaded in a batch but rather individually; I listed the driver names, but each falls under a specific category.

These are official files for your specific laptop model, sourced directly from the manufacturer's website, so you can rest assured—that is why I included the link to your laptop model's page.

They are executable files designed to install the drivers and overwrite the ones currently installed.

This is a precautionary measure, as chipset drivers can sometimes cause operational issues in Windows—I have seen such cases before. Another possibility is that your Windows installation is corrupted; in that case, we have options like the "Refresh Windows" feature (reinstalling while keeping your files and programs) or, as a last resort, a clean install of Windows.

If you prefer not to install the drivers, that is fine, though I strongly recommend doing so. As a precaution, you can create a restore point beforehand, just in case you want to revert to the state prior to the driver installation.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/experience/backup-recovery/system-protection

Thanks.
Pavel 0 Reputation points

2026-07-14T07:49:57.4466667+00:00

Unfortunately, after installing those drivers and doing DISM and scannow (which did detect corrupted files and fixed them but it seems like nothing changed), it still crashes :( I do have wallpaper engine, but I don't have one of the wallpapers active
Ivan B 116.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-14T14:53:00.1533333+00:00

Hi,

In this case, try uninstalling Wallpaper Engine.

If possible, open Event Viewer, go to the "Windows Logs" tab, export the "Application" and "System" logs, upload them to OneDrive, and share the link here.

Also, open Disk Cleanup, select "Clean up system files," check all boxes (except "Downloads" and "Recycle Bin" if they contain important items), and click OK.

Thanks.
Pavel 0 Reputation points

2026-07-14T15:26:01.8666667+00:00

https://1drv.ms/f/c/7f2d28597543265a/IgCqv2_-Hby_RJh0NccCcuxxAao6gxdDbl6JYi5VgNYqOxs?e=rhv2JG

Hopefully that works? Uninstalling Wallpaper Engine didn't change anything unfortunately
Pavel 0 Reputation points

2026-07-14T15:43:59.38+00:00

Using Disk Cleanup also did nothing. Still crashing. I'm going to delete the onedrive link after your next comment, as I don't like the amount of info that just sharing a onedrive thing gives out.
Ivan B 116.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-14T16:20:09.2466667+00:00

Hi,

Try this: go to Start Menu > Settings > System > About > Advanced system settings > Advanced tab > Performance > Settings > select the "Adjust for best performance" option (or uncheck the boxes below), then click Apply, restart the PC, and test it.

I am analyzing the logs.

Did you make any changes to the BIOS?

Thanks.
Pavel 0 Reputation points

2026-07-14T16:22:56.2966667+00:00

Oh, I see, please let me know once they're no longer useful then. As far as I know, I haven't changed anything in the BIOS (And the 'Adjust for best performance' also did not work, still crashing)
Ivan B 116.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-14T19:17:03.31+00:00

Hi,

It's only Windows Explorer that freezes, right?

Do you have a USB flash drive or external hard drive connected?

Is there a network drive mapped?

Thanks.
Pavel 0 Reputation points

2026-07-14T19:20:55.25+00:00

Yeah, only Windows Explorer. USB drive, no. A network drive... admittedly, I'm not sure? If it comes with one automatically, yes, but I haven't plugged any external drives in
Ivan B 116.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-14T19:44:13.1733333+00:00

Hi,

Does your PC have a CD/DVD drive?

I'm checking the event logs, but I haven't found anything unusual.

Do you use TeraBox or any cloud app other than OneDrive—like iCloud?

Thanks.
Pavel 0 Reputation points

2026-07-14T20:08:53.3033333+00:00

It does not have one, no. I don't use anything but OneDrive (Google Drive, but it isn't connected to the computer itself I just use the website)
Ivan B 116.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-14T20:45:53.3366667+00:00

Hi,

The only remaining option before a Windows refresh is to go to Windows Explorer > Options, uncheck all privacy settings, and click "Clear."

Try disabling Windows Search to see if file indexing is causing the freezing.

To do this, access services.msc via the search bar, look for Windows Search, right-click and select Properties, set the startup type to "Disabled," click "Stop," and then "Apply."

Restart the PC and test it.

We have two more options to try.

Thanks.
Pavel 0 Reputation points

2026-07-14T21:07:00.66+00:00

The first method (unchecking privacy settings) That...did something weird? Seemed to be OK, but I cannot normal right click on anything, and when I try to, I can no longer click on the new, cut, copy, paste bar menu thing and the search bar until I restart windows explorer. And I cannot access the three dots menu at all now. But it doesn't seem to crash anymore? But if I turn them back on, it...doesn't crash but does the same thing. I'm very, VERY confused.

Will edit my comment once I do the windows search thing. Windows Search: No luck, still crashes. And for some reason changes my wallpaper to one of my other images. After the restart, now the above side-effects from the privacy stuff has reverted to normal crashing as usual.
Pavel 0 Reputation points

2026-07-14T21:16:24.49+00:00

Frankly... I don't know what a refresh/reset is actually going to do other than put a band-aid on the problem. If I can't figure out what's actually causing it, then it's just going to happen again and again and again and I'll have to restart over and over again. I don't have a USB to back up any of my data, all I have is just ON this computer. It'd take days to reinstall everything.