Save As dialog constantly freezes

RiskyRaccoon · Dec 3, 2021

Every time I open a "save as" or "open" dialog, no matter from what app, the window freezes for anywhere from 5 to 30 seconds. I'm unsure what is causing this, it hasn't always been doing this. Thanks

glasskuter · Dec 3, 2021

Seems its the same old issue is rearing its head that many Windows 10 users have encountered over the last several years. There are a number of threads on tenforums as well as many posted elsewhere on the web. Do a web search "save as freezes Windows 10" I have never run into this issue, but from what I read about all the suggestions, things like SFC, Clean Boot, and DISM have not worked. Personally,I would cut to the chase and do a non-destructive repair reinstall of Windows. This tutorial is for Windows 10 but it applies to 11 also. Scroll down the article to To Do a Repair Install of Windows 10 with an ISO file. https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/16397-repair-install-windows-10-place-upgrade.html

If you don't go that route, the only thing I can suggest is to look in event viewer to see if anything shows up there that might lead you in the right direction. But I will tell you this is a daunting task to filter through what is important to your specific issue. What Is the Windows Event Viewer, and How Can I Use It?

If you are unfamiliar using the event viewer, you would be much better off doing the repair install and get it over with.

glasskuter · Dec 3, 2021

By the way, welcome to the forum Risky Racoon. I'm sure others will jump into your thread and offer suggestions.

FreeBooter · Dec 4, 2021

Perform a clean boot to see if any one of the startup programs or services causing the problem.

Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 10 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts

How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 10 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts

www.tenforums.com

RiskyRaccoon · Dec 4, 2021

glasskuter said:
Seems its the same old issue is rearing its head that many Windows 10 users have encountered over the last several years. There are a number of threads on tenforums as well as many posted elsewhere on the web. Do a web search "save as freezes Windows 10" I have never run into this issue, but from what I read about all the suggestions, things like SFC, Clean Boot, and DISM have not worked. Personally,I would cut to the chase and do a non-destructive repair reinstall of Windows. This tutorial is for Windows 10 but it applies to 11 also. Scroll down the article to To Do a Repair Install of Windows 10 with an ISO file. https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/16397-repair-install-windows-10-place-upgrade.html

If you don't go that route, the only thing I can suggest is to look in event viewer to see if anything shows up there that might lead you in the right direction. But I will tell you this is a daunting task to filter through what is important to your specific issue. What Is the Windows Event Viewer, and How Can I Use It?

If you are unfamiliar using the event viewer, you would be much better off doing the repair install and get it over with.

I am somewhat familiar w/ Event viewer, and this is what I turnt up:

Code:

The program brave.exe version 96.1.32.113 stopped interacting with Windows and was closed. To see if more information about the problem is available, check the problem history in the Security and Maintenance control panel.
 Process ID: 72c
 Start Time: 01d7e8e0d589f1a6
 Termination Time: 4
 Application Path: C:\Program Files\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\Application\brave.exe
 Report Id: 4e88b15e-85bb-4633-aff4-412770a6a79b
 Faulting package full name: 
 Faulting package-relative application ID: 
 Hang type: Cross-thread

I will try the windows repair service since it looks like this issue is being caused by an SQL accessing issue, and I'm guessing that involves how windows is managing itself. Thanks for the tip! I'll report back once I've done the repair

glasskuter · Dec 4, 2021

So I take it you are using save as from within your browser. See if the same thing happens in Edge, but I'm betting it will. All the others complaining about this issue also were using the function within their browsers and it happened in Edge and Chrome. I tried it in both Edge and Firefox and had no problem. Try this one thing before you repair install to see if it helps.

If you use lots of shared folders (nas and network in general), windows 11 quick access algorithm could create troubles.
Try disabling it.
To change how Quick Access works, in search box type "quick access" and enter. Click explorer options in search results.
uncheck “Show frequently use folders in Quick access.”
uncheck “Show recently used folders in Quick access.”
Apply OK

BlackBin · Dec 2, 2023

glasskuter said:
So I take it you are using save as from within your browser. See if the same thing happens in Edge, but I'm betting it will. All the others complaining about this issue also were using the function within their browsers and it happened in Edge and Chrome. I tried it in both Edge and Firefox and had no problem. Try this one thing before you repair install to see if it helps.

If you use lots of shared folders (nas and network in general), windows 11 quick access algorithm could create troubles.
Try disabling it.
To change how Quick Access works, in search box type "quick access" and enter. Click explorer options in search results.
uncheck “Show frequently use folders in Quick access.”
uncheck “Show recently used folders in Quick access.”
Apply OK

This was very helpful. I had similar problems with file browser dialogs from several applications. I suspect that Windows Explorer Quick Access struggles when external devices have been pinned but disconnected.

johnlgalt · Dec 2, 2023

BlackBin said:
I suspect that Windows Explorer Quick Access struggles when external devices have been pinned but disconnected.

Ayup. It does. Very much so.

xandak · Dec 5, 2023

glasskuter said:
...windows 11 quick access algorithm could create troubles...

Thanks!
Specifically for me it was Onedrive causing the save-as dialog to hang. I was lazy and just uninstalled Onedrive, problem fixed. There is probably a way to do it keeping Onedrive but removing it from Quickaccess...

ebbrauer · Feb 29, 2024

Xandak,

That solved my problem!! Thank you so much.

Had problems using "Save As" in Office apps (word, excel powerpoint), yet had not problems in other, non-MS apps. Deinstalled OneDrive and BOOM - the "Save As" dialog box immediately popped up. No hanging at all.

I also posted your solution in MS tech forum for Win 11.

Now I just have to figure out how to use OneDrive with Office 2003. I don't know if there's an update to blame since I don't use Office apps regularly.

Thanks again!