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Solved Windows Explorer Not Responding on single hard drive

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Scott R

Scott R

PCHF Member
Feb 28, 2022
7
1
38
#1
Hello

I have a strange issue with Windows Explorer.

Explorer will sit on Not Responding when trying to open folders on my Internal Mechanical Hard Drive 12TB.
Files open fine. Issues seems to be with the folders.
The issue normally happens when opening sub-folders.
Only happens with the mechanical Hard Drive. The M2 SSD is fine.
Sometimes it will work if you leave it a few minutes and something it won’t and I have to restart Explorer.

The Hard Drive seems to be fine.
Ive run a disk check and no issues reported.
Run updates and virus checks.
The drive is about 3-4 years old.

Any ideas what it could be?

Windows 10 desktop
M2 SSD Hard Drive 2Tb
Internal Mechanical Hard Drive 12TB
 
#2
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 8-Core Processor 4.20 GHz
CPU cooler: Fan
Motherboard: TUF Gaming B55M-PLUS
Ram: 32.0 GB
SSD/HDD: 1x M2 SSD 2TB, 1x Hard Drive 12TB
GPU: Radeon RX 6800
PSU:
Chassis:
OS: Windows 10
Monitor: 2x 4K and 1x HD.

The HDD is mounted flat.
 
#3
This is a strange issue. When did the issue first start? Did you install any applications or make any other changes to your computer around when the issue started?

To confirm, you used chkdsk command to check disk health? You used the right drive letter?

First thing I am wondering is if you can access the files via command prompt:

Command to change drive letter: d:
Command to check folders: dir
Command to enter folder: cd [foldername]
Command to open file: "[filename]"

What happens when you do that? Do any error messages come up? This should help determine if the issue is with the folders or with File Explorer.

If you can access files from the command prompt but not through the File Explorer, then it might be worth opening the command prompt as an administrator and running the command: sfc /scannow. Note that this will require a reboot, but it will replace any corrupted OS files if any.
 
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#5
All,

Thanks for the replies.

Thisis a strange issue. When did the issue first start? Did you installany applications or make any other changes to your computer aroundwhen the issue started?
Click to expand...

Nothing has changed as far as I can tell. I have been coping and deleting multiple large number of files.

To confirm, you used chkdsk command to check disk health? You used theright drive letter?
Click to expand...

Yes. No errors found.

Firstthing I am wondering is if you can access the files via commandprompt:

Commandto change drive letter: d:
Commandto check folders: dir
Commandto enter folder: cd [foldername]
Commandto open file: "[filename]"
Click to expand...

Yes,I was able to do this. No errors.

Ifyou can access files from the command prompt but not through the FileExplorer, then it might be worth opening the command prompt as anadministrator and running the command: sfc /scannow. Note that thiswill require a reboot, but it will replace any corrupted OS files ifany.
Click to expand...

Ran and no errors found: Windows Resource Protection did not find anyintegrity violations.

Also try rebooting the PC into Safe and seeing if the issue still occurs.
Click to expand...

The issue does not happen in safe mode. I drive showed up with an old name.

Im wondering if a full format may help. The drive is used for backup storage, so no issue with trying this.
 
#7
Thanks for the response. Can you open up Event Viewer from the Windows search bar, then try to recreate the issue? Open a folder and let File Explorer freeze.
Then refresh the event viewer and see if any error logs populate either under Application or System (more likely to be under Application). If the file explorer does generate error logs, could you copy and paste them here and also take a screenshot.
 
#8
DENMON said:
Thanks for the response. Can you open up Event Viewer from the Windows search bar, then try to recreate the issue? Open a folder and let File Explorer freeze.
Then refresh the event viewer and see if any error logs populate either under Application or System (more likely to be under Application). If the file explorer does generate error logs, could you copy and paste them here and also take a screenshot.
Click to expand...
I think you've cracked it! Multiple errors reported for my VPN. Looks like it started running "Threat Protection". The second I turned it off, Explorer refreshed & opened. Been playing about with it for 5 mins and no freezes. I think my VPNs Threat Protection may have been clashing with my Internet Security software. I don't need the VPNs Threat Protection as I already have Security software. Doesn't explain why it only affected one hard drive those.

Thank you! I'll see how it goes in the next few days.
 
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#11
Scott R said:
I think you've cracked it! Multiple errors reported for my VPN. Looks like it started running "Threat Protection". The second I turned it off, Explorer refreshed & opened. Been playing about with it for 5 mins and no freezes. I think my VPNs Threat Protection may have been clashing with my Internet Security software. I don't need the VPNs Threat Protection as I already have Security software. Doesn't explain why it only affected one hard drive those.

Thank you! I'll see how it goes in the next few days.
Click to expand...
Happy I could help :)
 
#12
Scott R said:
Ive always had one. The built-in software maybe good enough, Im not sure.
Can get a 5 Device licence for £15 a year so Ive never really questioned it.
Click to expand...
Fair enough.

And by the way, the inbuilt one is definitely good enough, has been for many years.
I understand your hesitancy, it took me maybe 3 or 4 years before I ditched my paid-for AV suite and finally bit the bullet and went solely with Microsoft Defender.
All the independent AV testing sites rate Defender right along side any of the other top selling products.
Like here; https://www.av-test.org/en/antiviru...soft-defender-antivirus-consumer-4.18-231514/
 
#13
Bruce said:
Fair enough.

And by the way, the inbuilt one is definitely good enough, has been for many years.
I understand your hesitancy, it took me maybe 3 or 4 years before I ditched my paid-for AV suite and finally bit the bullet and went solely with Microsoft Defender.
All the independent AV testing sites rate Defender right along side any of the other top selling products.
Like here; https://www.av-test.org/en/antiviru...soft-defender-antivirus-consumer-4.18-231514/
Click to expand...
Cool. I'll keep that in mind come renewal time.
 
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