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September 16

Windows Explorer freezing

I've got an up to date version of Win10 on a gaming machine (I can provide the specs, but basically I'm just saying that the problem is not caused by it being over-taxed with what it's doing) that's been experiencing problems for a while. I typically interface via the Windows Explorer program (as opposed to, say, starting by opening VLC and selecting a file to open from that). The problem is that Win10 seems to be choking on generating or updating the window. Like, my Downloads folder has maybe 20 items in it, but when I select into it the status bar creeps along to completion like it's got zillions of files to parse (and never truly finishes). Sometimes, this freezing or lagging or whatever it is, extends to problems downloading files (refreshing WE breaks the partially downloaded file) or even opening up simple stuff like pictures from WE. My workaround is typically to CTRL-Alt-Del and force the program to refresh, but I'm forced to do it multiple times in one sitting. A few things I've tried:

I have re-installed Windows completely. Seemed okay for a few months and then the same problem came back.
I have checked for updates and re-booted the system regularly.
I have googled for issues with WE, but they seem to be framed about the reactive fix; I want to prevent it from happening.

A few more points:

I have no issues with even intense gameplay.
I am fairly confident that I have no malware; I am a careful user that runs NoScript on Firefox and I simply don't download pirated software or visit unsavory websites.
I only use a handful of programs (Office, VLC, all my games are from Steam, etc.); I'm not doing anything crazy involving volunteer computing or something.
It doesn't seem to matter how recently I rebooted the computer or refreshed WE.

I'm broadly aware that a lot of users have been experiencing issues with various Win10 updates, but this has been with me for more than a year, surviving even a re-install. If it follows the same pattern as last time (prior to re-install), the problem will get worse and worse until it essentially bricks and fails to clear on start-up. I know that sounds like a hardware issue, but how then can I play Fallout 4 on maximum graphics for hours at a time without an issue? Any suggestions on what I should do or try? Matt Deres (talk) 20:23, 16 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Do you have any anti-virus software installed? Ruslik_Zero 20:42, 17 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Typically, no, but I have installed Malwarebytes and confirmed that the machine is clean. Matt Deres (talk) 13:25, 19 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Do you have any other software that has plug-ins for explorer, in particular anything that adds itself to a menu there? I used to have a similar problem, and I then uninstalled all the software I did not use, and the problem disappeared. You could also try updating to latest versions in case they have a fix. Another problem I have is devices going to sleep and then explorer powering them up and then freezing for a few seconds. But this is much less annoying than locking or crashing. Graeme Bartlett (talk) 00:03, 18 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

I think the only thing added to the shell is 7-Zip and if it was a problem, I think there'd be millions of people with the same issue. Matt Deres (talk) 13:28, 19 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

7-Zip is one thing I left installed, and it does not lock up my Explorer. But some other things may have been crashing it for me. But check if you at version 19.00, the recommended version. Graeme Bartlett (talk) 12:11, 20 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

SysInternals is a godsend for Windows troubleshooting. You can use Process Monitor to watch what files Explorer is accessing, to see if it's blocking on a file read somewhere. --47.146.63.87 (talk) 20:34, 18 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

I'll give it a look - thanks! Matt Deres (talk) 13:28, 19 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Minetest

In virtualbox, how can I play Minetest in Ubuntu 20.04, the mouse makes the game move everywhere, I tried "capturing the mouse" but it does not work. The game cannot be played. --Thegooduser Life Begins With a Smile :) 🍁 23:37, 16 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

@Thegooduser, have you given your virtual machine enough VRAM and enabled 3D acceleration? If you don't do this many 3D games will immediately crash. Ed talk! 23:25, 18 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

User:Ed6767, it has 5.1 GB ram, but how do I turn on the 3D acceleration? Thegooduser Life Begins With a Smile :) 🍁 23:28, 18 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

@Thegooduser, to give your VM more VRAM and to enable 3D acceleration, make sure it's powered off, then Settings > Display > Video Memory (drag the slider as high as you can, 128MB), then check the "Enable 3D Acceleration" checkbox. Ed talk! 23:31, 18 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Ed6767 It broke my Vitrtual Machine, now it is black past the log in screen. If there is no way to reset it, I'll just re-install it... Thegooduser Life Begins With a Smile :) 🍁 23:55, 18 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]