Loading desktop icons takes a very long time

Question

Original title: Major problems with Windows 8.1

Hello,

My Windows 8.1 started experiencing major problems couple of days ago:

• after starting the computer loading desktop icons takes a very long time
• Windows Explorer is almost unusable, loading folders takes a long time and it keeps crashing
• Event log has the following error repeated several times:

"The Microsoft Account Sign-in Assistant service terminated with the following error: 

%%2147780739"

I have tried running sfc /scannow and repairing component store with Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth but nothing seems to help. I also noticed now that Windows Easy Transfer isn't what it used to be when trying to backup my computer's files and settings.

These are the errors that keep appearing in event log:

"

The program LiveComm.exe version 17.5.9600.20315 stopped interacting with Windows and was closed. To see if more information about the problem is available, check the problem history in the Action Center control panel.

 Process ID: b7c

 Start Time: 01cf2ef524847430

 Termination Time: 4294967295

 Application Path: C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_17.5.9600.20315_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\LiveComm.exe

 Report Id: 1973cc04-9ae9-11e3-82d5-50e5493ce1f5

 Faulting package full name: microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_17.5.9600.20315_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

 Faulting package-relative application ID: ppleae38af2e007f4358a809ac99a64a67c1"

"

The program explorer.exe version 6.3.9600.16441 stopped interacting with Windows and was closed. To see if more information about the problem is available, check the problem history in the Action Center control panel.

 Process ID: fc8

 Start Time: 01cf2ef212703a7e

 Termination Time: 0

 Application Path: C:\Windows\explorer.exe

 Report Id: 581bc309-9ae7-11e3-82d4-50e5493ce1f5

 Faulting package full name: 

 Faulting package-relative application ID: "

EDIT: Trying to run different troubleshooters doesn't seem to be working as they hang after telling me that the problems cannot be fixed...

Answer 1

Apparently Microsoft still hasn't fixed this.

I'm experiencing exactly the same issues in Windows 10.

Answer 2

Hello Jessen, I just finished experiencing similar problems and more. It all started, yesterday afternoon, when the symptoms described above happened:

1. Explorer continuously crashing on right-click.
2. Programs that all of a sudden would not install due to a message claiming I did not have sufficient rights in ProgramData.
3. Windows taking forever to log-on, to the point that after 20 minutes I would reboot.
4. Icons showing up extremely slow or not showing up at all.

I suspected a virus had taken my computer, however, I have always defender on. Still, I did the following:

• I ran defender full scan, no viruses
• I installed web-root internet-security anti-viru, no viruses.
• I Uninstalled almost *all* the software I had installed. I was having trouble uninstalling as random failures were occurring. I had now however, discarded most virus hypotheses, after the two full scans above.
• I checked the permissions on ProgramData, just in case some random program had modified them, against a pristine windows 8 install and they were very similar, so no clue why the permissions programs were failing on permissions there.
• I Cleaned everything, including manually removing MSI which were refusing to uninstall
• Disabled all auto-starts
• Finally was able via MS config to do a safe boot with networking.
• From there, I went service by service until I isolated the one that was causing the problem, and guess what: It was the "Microsoft Account Sign-in assistant" --

So, now, in selective mode things work, but I would like to know a few things:

• When are you guys going to fix this problem?
• Can you ask someone there who will pay for the *hours* I lost fixing what looks to be MS problems?

Answer 3

Hi Jpellio,

I appreciate the efforts which you took to resolve the issue.

Issue: Desktop icons takes a very long time to load

Place the computer in clean boot and check if it helps.

To help troubleshoot error messages and other issues, you can start Windows 8.1 by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This kind of startup is known as a "clean boot." A clean boot helps eliminate software conflicts.

**How to perform a clean boot in Windows**

Note: Check the title “How to reset the computer to start as usual after clean boot troubleshooting” for reverting to normal mode.

Issue: Windows Explorer is almost unusable, loading folders takes a long time and it keeps crashing

Do you have Auto desk inventor program installed on the computer?

If yes, please uninstall the program and check if it helps.

a: Press Windows Key + X

b: Then click Programs and Features

c: Now look for a program called Auto desk inventor, right click on it and select Uninstall

Issue: The Microsoft Account Sign-in Assistant service terminated

Perform the steps mentioned below and see if it helps.

a: Press Windows Key + X

b: Then click Run

c: Then type services.msc in the run dialog box and hit enter

d: Now look for a service called Microsoft Account Sign-in Assistant

e: Right click on it and set it to Automatic

f: Then restart the computer

Please do reply with more information regarding this issue. We’ll be glad to assist

you further.