Since 22H2, File Explorer windows sometimes spontaneously move to the front


Welcome to the forum @mlamiroy !

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mlamiroy said:
So, I've got the same problem. I've got four machines, and only one is affected.
It has an Asus motherboard, and an Nvidia graphics card.
There does not seem to be a real discernable pattern.
There seems to be some confusion in the OS when iexplorer runs some background tasks that for who knows what reason trigger the file/windows explorer to get the focus.

On this system, I am using 2 monitors. If I have explorer positioned only in Monitor 2, the problem never occurs.
It only happens on Monitor 1. (Both are connected to the Nvidia graphics card).
So, by now, if I remember, I position any open explorer windows in Monitor 2 and I can avoid the problem.

On monitor 1 it always happens if explorer is open in combination with only some other programs. Any other open Microsoft program, e.g., will cause explorer to get the focus each time the wallpaper changes. I noticed there are other programs that may be open together with explorer and it won't happen.
I also noticed that even when you are working in explorer itself when the problems occur, and it already has the focus, it will position itself at the top of the folder, i.e., it seems to reload the folder you're working in. (It has happened that I was dragging and dropping a file to a subfolder and it ended up in the wrong one, because it reloaded the moment the wallpaper changed).

Anyway, my 2c.
Click to expand...
I use ExplorerPatcher with the option to bring back the Windows 10 Ribbon in File Explorer. I am running on Windows 11 build 22621.2134 and I don't have this problem, nor have any other problems with File Explorer. I also use Open-Shell with some of the options available in the Classic Explorer part of Open-Shell. Ironically, those whose File Explorer is tweaked less heavily than mine are often those who have serious troubles with File Explorer, so... lol

EP ribbon.png

File Explorer.png
 

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FWIW, to mitigate the problem, I minimize Explorer windows I want to keep open while I'm doing other things. I don't think I've seen them pop to the front from the minimized state. Can anyone confirm?
 

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maffle said:
Of course it does
Click to expand...
Well, that was quick. lol

Since I started this thread almost a year ago, there have been a number of hopeful but ultimately false solutions/causes proposed. The only one talking about minimized windows was on page 3, and that poster was talking about multiple desktops, so it wasn't exactly the same thing. And he never followed up on it. I'm going to leave an Explorer window minimized for a few days or until it pops up, whichever comes first. I will report back.
 

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barreleye said:
FWIW, to mitigate the problem, I minimize Explorer windows I want to keep open while I'm doing other things. I don't think I've seen them pop to the front from the minimized state. Can anyone confirm?
Click to expand...
It does happen in both cases, i.e. whether minimized or not.
For me, it does not happen when the Explorer window is on a second monitor.

On a different note, the frequency of this happening seems to have increased since the August patches.
Before that, I only had it when some specific apps were open. Since then, the number of apps it happens with has increased.
E.g., before it would never happen if I had VLC media player open in full screen. Since the August patches, that's no longer true
 

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Windows 11Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-10100 CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.60...8GBNVIDIA
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Windows 11
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PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Matrix (local brand)
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-10100 CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.60 GHz
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Asus Prime H510M-K
Memory
8GB
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NVIDIA
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-
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Samsung & Dell
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1600*900 (for both)
barreleye said:
FWIW, to mitigate the problem, I minimize Explorer windows I want to keep open while I'm doing other things. I don't think I've seen them pop to the front from the minimized state. Can anyone confirm?
Click to expand...
i not sure as i never minimize every window manually, ( just a windows +D), i will try to create the habit so i can observe that.
 

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Windows 11
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i5 12600k
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h670-plus d4
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16gb ddr4
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RTX 3070
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32gn600
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NVMe Kingston SKC3000s1024G
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Welcome to the forum @ayurai

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Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (Build 26200.8968)Intel Core Ultra 9 285 5.6 GHz32.00 GBIntel Integrated Graphics (128 MB)
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Intel Core Ultra 9 285 5.6 GHz
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barreleye said:
Since I started this thread almost a year ago, there have been a number of hopeful but ultimately false solutions/causes proposed. The only one talking about minimized windows was on page 3, and that poster was talking about multiple desktops, so it wasn't exactly the same thing. And he never followed up on it. I'm going to leave an Explorer window minimized for a few days or until it pops up, whichever comes first. I will report back.
Click to expand...
The minimized Explorer window stayed minimized for over 5 days. After restoring (unminimizing) it, it popped to the front within a day.
 

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Same problem. Watching a movie in vlc player, and the damn explorer.exe windows is getting in front of the movie 🫣 minimizing the explorer window solves the problem... But yeah, it's very irritating 🙄
 

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Just jumping in with you guys.
I got 2 Systems doing the same thing.
One Amd Ryzen, Asus, Nvidia, 1 Screen
The other Intel, Gigabyte, Nvidia, 2 Screen

And as there are AMD GPU Users also complaining we can for sure say it can´t be pinned down to the Hardware....
Both Systems are on 23H2 now, but the AMD Systems had it also before on 22H2.
The Intel System was clean installed with a 23H2 Iso.
So we can surely say: Even reinstalling with a fresh Iso wont fix this gift from Redmond.

I will take the minimizing workaround for now, but this is rediculous - they can´t tell the people that non of their developers+beta testers ran into this...
The last time i had issues with the Windows Explorer was on Windows 7....
 

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Nope, and i´m experiencing it on the AMD System (Media PC) while watching Movies/Series on my TV.
And also on the Intel System (Daily Use), f.e. while copying files from a to b on screen 1 and surfing on screen 2 - this is very funny - not.
I get like a heartattack everytime "Are the files copied now...are they not?".

Edit: Also i can confirm the "time frame" as this happens every evening while watching a movie or series...
 

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This bug is a pain in the butt.
 

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    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8894Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
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    Sin-built 2013
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    ROG SupremeFX Formula 8-Channel High Definition Audio
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    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Touch Screen Tablet
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    Silverstone 1500
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    I’m on a horse.

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    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8894 (Wifes)13th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-1340P Process...16GB LPDDR5-52001x Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8894 (Wifes)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7 14IRL8 - Type 82YL
    CPU
    13th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-1340P Processor(Core™ i5-1340P)
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    16GB LPDDR5-5200
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    M.2 512 GB SSD PCIe
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    Logiteck MX Master 3S
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    2000/500
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    …still on a horse.


    Wireless Network: Wi-Fi 6E 2x2 AX; Bluetooth® 5.1 or above
    Ports: 1x 1 Novo button; 2 in 1 Audio Combo jack; Micro SD Card Reader; HDMI 1.4b; 2 x USB Type-C (TBT4)
    USB 3.2 Gen 2 DP 1.4a
    PD 3.0); 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A
    Camera
    1x 1080P FHD IR/RGB Hybrid with Privacy Shutter and Dual Array Microphone
    Graphics
    1x Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
    Monitor
    14" WUXGA
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    Convertible Notebook
  • Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8894 (Wifes)

    Yoga 7 2-in-1 14IML9 - Type 83DJ

    Processor: Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 155H Processor(Core™ Ultra 7 155H)

    Memory: 32GB LPD5X-7467

    Hard Drive: 1 TB SSD PCIe

    Wireless Network: 1x Wi-Fi 6E 2x2 AX; Bluetooth® 5.1 or above

    Ports: 1 x HDMI 2.1 TMDS; 1 x Novo Button; 1 x Combo Audio Jack
    2 x USB-C (USB 4.0)
    1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1

    Camera: 1080P FHD IR Hybrid with Dual Microphone

    Graphics: Intel® Arc™ Graphics

    Monitor: 14" 2.8K

    ...Where's my horse?
I find this bug temporary bearable - if it would be fixed in a short time, but it isn´t.
There are bugs in Windows 11 that are going on now from scratch, like the 0x800f081f Update Bug, that no one really knows what the reason for this issue , or how it can be fixed precisely apart from "do some NetFramework update and have a look if this helps" or "adjust a value in the registry and hope for the best".
I mean, common, if there is a config issue while updating, what is the problem telling the user at least a specific report about where the issue might sit "Hey you got a problem, because NetFramework seems broken, try a reinstall of that, and then try the update again."
But no...
 

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Easiest fix with this particular bug, I find, don’t have file explorer open when you’re not using it. Which isn’t a biggie, most of the time.
 

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    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8894
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built 2013
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    ROG SupremeFX Formula 8-Channel High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Touch Screen Tablet
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    All over the place
    Hard Drives
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    Silverstone 1500
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    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
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    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
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    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
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    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / Mx Air Cordless
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    2000/500Mbps
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    All sorts
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    Kaspersky Premium
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    ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
    TP-Link BE9300 WiFi 7 Bluetooth 5.4 (Archer TBE550E)
    TP-Link TX201 V1 2.5GB Lan

    Grandstream HT812 - VoIP
    ASUS DSL-AX82U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-AC68U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-BE88U Router

    Brother MFC-L2880DW Printer

    I’m on a horse.

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8894 (Wifes)13th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-1340P Process...16GB LPDDR5-52001x Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8894 (Wifes)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7 14IRL8 - Type 82YL
    CPU
    13th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-1340P Processor(Core™ i5-1340P)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5-5200
    Graphics card(s)
    1x Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512 GB SSD PCIe
    Mouse
    Logiteck MX Master 3S
    Internet Speed
    2000/500
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.


    Wireless Network: Wi-Fi 6E 2x2 AX; Bluetooth® 5.1 or above
    Ports: 1x 1 Novo button; 2 in 1 Audio Combo jack; Micro SD Card Reader; HDMI 1.4b; 2 x USB Type-C (TBT4)
    USB 3.2 Gen 2 DP 1.4a
    PD 3.0); 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A
    Camera
    1x 1080P FHD IR/RGB Hybrid with Privacy Shutter and Dual Array Microphone
    Graphics
    1x Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
    Monitor
    14" WUXGA
    Form Factor
    Convertible Notebook
  • Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8894 (Wifes)

    Yoga 7 2-in-1 14IML9 - Type 83DJ

    Processor: Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 155H Processor(Core™ Ultra 7 155H)

    Memory: 32GB LPD5X-7467

    Hard Drive: 1 TB SSD PCIe

    Wireless Network: 1x Wi-Fi 6E 2x2 AX; Bluetooth® 5.1 or above

    Ports: 1 x HDMI 2.1 TMDS; 1 x Novo Button; 1 x Combo Audio Jack
    2 x USB-C (USB 4.0)
    1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1

    Camera: 1080P FHD IR Hybrid with Dual Microphone

    Graphics: Intel® Arc™ Graphics

    Monitor: 14" 2.8K

    ...Where's my horse?
I just saw this or noticed this for the first time, last night.
I had both Firefox and File Explorer open (not full screen)(no tabs on File Explorer, I disabled those).

I wasn't doing anything on the computer, I was playing Woodoku on my phone. LOL
File Explorer was behind Firefox. Suddenly it jumped to the front.

It's not a big deal for me for a few reasons...
1. I only "open" File Explorer when I'm using it.
2. Sometimes, I forget to close it afterwards. But usually I close it when not using it.
3. I don't DO "minimized", except in very rare occasions when I have 5 or 6 windows open.
4. When File Explorer jumped to the front... I just closed it.
5. Do I keep tons of windows open, arranged in a certain order like my life depends on it? No. :-)


Should Microsoft fix this? Definitely.
Will I lose any sleep over this? Not at all.

Only tweakers I use are Winaero, TranslucentTB, and the occasional Vivetool number.



Note: Most of the time I keep Firefox open. I usually have 4 tabs open. When I'm not using Firefox, I do minimize it, just to keep those 4 tabs open.
My screen is old, it has CCFL backlighting, so leaving a window open all the time, burns the image into the screen. I can alleviate the burn-in with the "Display Conditioning", but that takes a while (like 15 minutes), so I just minimize Firefox.
 

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    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26200.8875 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦25H2
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    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
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    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 5302)
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    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
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    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1

  • At a glance

    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 15 years?
I think I figured how to fix this annoyance.
It is linked to computer's local Group Policies and automatic schedule when Windows updates them every 90 minutes or so.
You can test this by closing all open explorer windows, then opening a fresh one and running gpupdate /force in command prompt.
The explorer should popup to front.

The Fix:
Clear all local group policies. Easiest way is to just delete files and folders in subfolder C:\Windows\System32\GroupPolicies
See here a more complete guide: How to reset all Local Group Policy settings on Windows 10

I figured this when I compared one of my Win11 computers which didn't have this bug and noticed that on affected machines there were some local Group Policy files created with references to explorer. I have no idea what had created those policy settings as I haven't created ones myself.
I guess they were created by some installed application or possibly some Microsoft update. In any case, after clearing the C:\Windows\System32\GroupPolicies folder the problem seem to be gone.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
MilfordBadger said:
I think I figured how to fix this annoyance.
It is linked to computer's local Group Policies and automatic schedule when Windows updates them every 90 minutes or so.
You can test this by closing all open explorer windows, then opening a fresh one and running gpupdate /force in command prompt.
The explorer should popup to front.

The Fix:
Clear all local group policies. Easiest way is to just delete files and folders in subfolder C:\Windows\System32\GroupPolicies
See here a more complete guide: How to reset all Local Group Policy settings on Windows 10

I figured this when I compared one of my Win11 computers which didn't have this bug and noticed that on affected machines there were some local Group Policy files created with references to explorer. I have no idea what had created those policy settings as I haven't created ones myself.
I guess they were created by some installed application or possibly some Microsoft update. In any case, after clearing the C:\Windows\System32\GroupPolicies folder the problem seem to be gone.
Click to expand...
It also happens in Windows 11 Home, where the grouppolicies folder by default remains empty.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-10100 CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.60...8GBNVIDIA
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Matrix (local brand)
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-10100 CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.60 GHz
Motherboard
Asus Prime H510M-K
Memory
8GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA
Sound Card
-
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung & Dell
Screen Resolution
1600*900 (for both)
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