Recently encountered an issue on my Windows 10 workstation that proved exceptionally frustrating. Over the span of several days, I noticed that the Start menu and File Explorer would intermittently become unresponsive. The problem typically occurred when I attempted to access the Start menu after waking the system from sleep or opening folders with a long list of files. In extreme cases, these freezes persisted for more than 30 seconds, and I was forced to use Task Manager (via Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to restart Windows Explorer.
Initially, I attempted the common troubleshooting steps recommended online. I ran the System File Checker (sfc /scannow) and DISM tools to check for corrupted system files, applied all available Windows updates, and updated chipset and graphics drivers. I also performed a complete malware scan using Windows Defender and a secondary reputable antivirus tool. None of these steps had any discernible impact on the issue.
After further research in technical forums, I began suspecting a third-party shell extension might be at fault, particularly because the freezes occurred when right-clicking items or launching the Start menu, both of which are sensitive to context-menu handlers. Using ShellExView—a utility that lists all non-Microsoft shell extensions—I systematically disabled several non-essential extensions. I focused on one associated with a screenshot and annotation application I installed a few weeks ago. To my surprise, disabling this shell extension immediately resolved the issue. Once I removed the problematic software entirely from my system, the freezes ceased altogether.
For anyone experiencing similar symptoms, I recommend the following steps:
- Verify system integrity with sfc /scannow and DISM, but do not assume these tools will catch issues introduced by third-party software.
- Use ShellExView or a similar utility to inspect and disable non-Microsoft shell extensions. Focus on extensions related to applications installed or updated around the time the issue began.
- After isolating the problematic extension, consider uninstalling the associated application if it is not critical to your workflow.
This experience reinforced the importance of isolating variables by methodically disabling non-essential components. It can help avoid unnecessary reinstalls or system resets when addressing intermittent UI freezes on Windows.
