windows explorer.exe / taskbar / start button freeze when i try to open any windows app (settings, security, photos, etc.)


se_marc

se_marc

Member
Local time
11:52 PM
Posts
8
OS
Windows 11
Hey everyone. I recently upgraded to Windows 11 from Windows 10 and have been having an issue where when I try to open up the settings app, or photos app, or movies app, or anything like that, the window will pop up but nothing is displayed and my taskbar will freeze.

in order to get the taskbar working again, i need to open a CMD & then the taskmgr to end the explorer.exe process and then start a new explorer.exe process.

After my initial upgrade, i found a post indicating that this can be fixed by running the following in a CMD.

Code: 
reg delete HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\IrisService /f && shutdown -r -t 0

on the first public build, that worked great. i could restart my computer and open any of the apps that were giving me issues, however since installing the first public update, i'm running into the freezing up issue again and deleting the registry key does not fix the issue anymore.

If i run the cmd above, i can briefly access these apps when the PC starts up but after about 1 min, if i try to open those apps, the freezing comes back.

Has anyone run into this issue? Any suggestions on how to fix it permanently?
 
Windows Build/Version
21H2 22000.258

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Intel Core i7-6700K @4.00GHz, 4008Mhz, 4 Core...32 GBNVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
MSI / MS-7977
CPU
Intel Core i7-6700K @4.00GHz, 4008Mhz, 4 Cores, 8 Logic
Motherboard
Z170A Gaming M5 (MS-7977)
Memory
32 GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
Hard Drives
250 GB SSD
Hi. Update to latest version to see if it fix something.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 ProIntel 113700H16GBNVIDIA RTX 3050 ti
OS
Windows 11 Pro
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
HP Pavilion 17 cd2205nw
CPU
Intel 113700H
Memory
16GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA RTX 3050 ti
Screen Resolution
1980x1020
Hard Drives
Micron 512GB
Mouse
Logitech
Internet Speed
100Mbs
Browser
Vivaldi , Edge
Antivirus
Windows defender

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Intel Core i7-6700K @4.00GHz, 4008Mhz, 4 Core...32 GBNVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
MSI / MS-7977
CPU
Intel Core i7-6700K @4.00GHz, 4008Mhz, 4 Cores, 8 Logic
Motherboard
Z170A Gaming M5 (MS-7977)
Memory
32 GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
Hard Drives
250 GB SSD
se_marc said:
updated to 22000.282 and the issue persists
Click to expand...
Because we are talking about Windows components run the DISM and sfc commands lest they find problems. If they find it, restart and see if anything has changed. If not run the commands again:
1) DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
2) sfc /scannow
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 ProIntel 113700H16GBNVIDIA RTX 3050 ti
OS
Windows 11 Pro
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
HP Pavilion 17 cd2205nw
CPU
Intel 113700H
Memory
16GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA RTX 3050 ti
Screen Resolution
1980x1020
Hard Drives
Micron 512GB
Mouse
Logitech
Internet Speed
100Mbs
Browser
Vivaldi , Edge
Antivirus
Windows defender
Bug locker said:
Because we are talking about Windows components run the DISM and sfc commands lest they find problems. If they find it, restart and see if anything has changed. If not run the commands again:
1) DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
2) sfc /scannow
Click to expand...

Below are the results of DISM and sfc /scannow.

The issue still persists after running DISM and sfc commands and then rebooting.

I also notice the following behavior.

when I try to open one of the apps that causes the freeze and leave the window open while restarting explorer.exe, everything is still broken after explorer restarts. the only way i can get explorer to work again is by closing out of the initial app that caused the freeze AND THEN restarting explorer.exe



Code: 
C:\WINDOWS\system32> DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.22000.1

Image Version: 10.0.22000.282

[==========================100.0%==========================] The restore operation completed successfully.
The operation completed successfully.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>

Code: 
C:\WINDOWS\system32> sfc /scannow

Beginning system scan.  This process will take some time.

Beginning verification phase of system scan.
Verification 100% complete.

Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Intel Core i7-6700K @4.00GHz, 4008Mhz, 4 Core...32 GBNVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
MSI / MS-7977
CPU
Intel Core i7-6700K @4.00GHz, 4008Mhz, 4 Cores, 8 Logic
Motherboard
Z170A Gaming M5 (MS-7977)
Memory
32 GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
Hard Drives
250 GB SSD
If someone does not suggest you an easier solution, I would suggest you try a repair install.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 ProIntel 113700H16GBNVIDIA RTX 3050 ti
OS
Windows 11 Pro
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
HP Pavilion 17 cd2205nw
CPU
Intel 113700H
Memory
16GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA RTX 3050 ti
Screen Resolution
1980x1020
Hard Drives
Micron 512GB
Mouse
Logitech
Internet Speed
100Mbs
Browser
Vivaldi , Edge
Antivirus
Windows defender

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Intel Core i7-6700K @4.00GHz, 4008Mhz, 4 Core...32 GBNVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
MSI / MS-7977
CPU
Intel Core i7-6700K @4.00GHz, 4008Mhz, 4 Cores, 8 Logic
Motherboard
Z170A Gaming M5 (MS-7977)
Memory
32 GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
Hard Drives
250 GB SSD
Same issue, but this only happens if I play a game, any game full screen and the start menu will stop working. The restarting explorer.exe in task manager fixes it until the next game i play. One would have thought by now Microsoft would have got a working start menu. Windows 10 never had these issues.

The following is shown in Event Viewer:

The program StartMenuExperienceHost.exe version 0.0.0.0 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: eb4
Start Time: 01d7c6bf2f2c22bb
Termination Time: 4294967295
Application Path: C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\StartMenuExperienceHost.exe
Report Id: 53ce6f31-b803-4363-8347-66eee19177d0
Faulting package full name: Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_10.0.22000.37_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy
Faulting package-relative application ID: App
Hang type: Navigation
 
Last edited:

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    Windows 11 25H2Intel i9 14900KF64GB Corsair Vengeance RGBMSI 4090 Suprim X
    OS
    Windows 11 25H2
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    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel i9 14900KF
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z790 ProArt Creator WiFi
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    64GB Corsair Vengeance RGB
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    Windows Default

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    Windows 11 25H2Intel i7 6800K32GB DDR4 (Corsair)ASUS GTX 1080ti
    Operating System
    Windows 11 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel i7 6800K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z99 Deluxe
    Memory
    32GB DDR4 (Corsair)
    Graphics card(s)
    ASUS GTX 1080ti
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1x Viewsonic 24" 1x LG 19"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 & 1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    3 x SATA SSD
    PSU
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    Case
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    Noctua NH-15 Chroma black
    Keyboard
    Generic RGB
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    Microsoft Basic
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    Antivirus
    Windows Default
@Bug locker after doing a repair, the issue is still persisting.

@PurSpyk!! when yours freezes, are you able to access any of windows internal apps (settings, photos, movies & tv, etc.)?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Intel Core i7-6700K @4.00GHz, 4008Mhz, 4 Core...32 GBNVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
MSI / MS-7977
CPU
Intel Core i7-6700K @4.00GHz, 4008Mhz, 4 Cores, 8 Logic
Motherboard
Z170A Gaming M5 (MS-7977)
Memory
32 GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
Hard Drives
250 GB SSD
I can open Settings using the Windows shortcut keys to open, the other apps I can't as they have no shortcuts assigned.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 25H2Intel i9 14900KF64GB Corsair Vengeance RGBMSI 4090 Suprim X
    OS
    Windows 11 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel i9 14900KF
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z790 ProArt Creator WiFi
    Memory
    64GB Corsair Vengeance RGB
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI 4090 Suprim X
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 x Asus 24". 1 x Asus 32"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 & 2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    Multiple
    PSU
    Corsair 1200HX
    Case
    Corsair 7000D RGB
    Cooling
    Corsair H150I Capellix XT
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 RGB PRO
    Mouse
    Corsair M55 RGB Pro
    Internet Speed
    1000Mbps
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Default

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 25H2Intel i7 6800K32GB DDR4 (Corsair)ASUS GTX 1080ti
    Operating System
    Windows 11 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel i7 6800K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z99 Deluxe
    Memory
    32GB DDR4 (Corsair)
    Graphics card(s)
    ASUS GTX 1080ti
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1x Viewsonic 24" 1x LG 19"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 & 1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    3 x SATA SSD
    PSU
    650W Gigabyte Bronze
    Case
    Coolermaster HAF-X
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-15 Chroma black
    Keyboard
    Generic RGB
    Mouse
    Microsoft Basic
    Internet Speed
    1000Mbps
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Default
PurSpyk!! said:
I can open Settings using the Windows shortcut keys to open, the other apps I can't as they have no shortcuts assigned.
Click to expand...
ah got ya, seems like a bit of different issue
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Intel Core i7-6700K @4.00GHz, 4008Mhz, 4 Core...32 GBNVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
MSI / MS-7977
CPU
Intel Core i7-6700K @4.00GHz, 4008Mhz, 4 Cores, 8 Logic
Motherboard
Z170A Gaming M5 (MS-7977)
Memory
32 GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
Hard Drives
250 GB SSD
se_marc said:
@Bug locker after doing a repair, the issue is still persisting.

@PurSpyk!! when yours freezes, are you able to access any of windows internal apps (settings, photos, movies & tv, etc.)?
Click to expand...
Before the problem occurred did you change something eg add/remove program-drivers or settings ? Did you keep an image backup before the problem or restore point occurred ?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 ProIntel 113700H16GBNVIDIA RTX 3050 ti
OS
Windows 11 Pro
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
HP Pavilion 17 cd2205nw
CPU
Intel 113700H
Memory
16GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA RTX 3050 ti
Screen Resolution
1980x1020
Hard Drives
Micron 512GB
Mouse
Logitech
Internet Speed
100Mbs
Browser
Vivaldi , Edge
Antivirus
Windows defender
Bug locker said:
Before the problem occurred did you change something eg add/remove program-drivers or settings ? Did you keep an image backup before the problem or restore point occurred ?
Click to expand...
it started happening right after upgrading from 10 to 11. the only thing that fixed it on the first build was running the reg del command i mentioned. after running new updates it went back to not working. no programs were added/removed after updating from 10 o 11.

would it be wise to try and revert back to win 10?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Intel Core i7-6700K @4.00GHz, 4008Mhz, 4 Core...32 GBNVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
MSI / MS-7977
CPU
Intel Core i7-6700K @4.00GHz, 4008Mhz, 4 Cores, 8 Logic
Motherboard
Z170A Gaming M5 (MS-7977)
Memory
32 GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
Hard Drives
250 GB SSD
se_marc said:
it started happening right after upgrading from 10 to 11. the only thing that fixed it on the first build was running the reg del command i mentioned. after running new updates it went back to not working. no programs were added/removed after updating from 10 o 11.

would it be wise to try and revert back to win 10?
Click to expand...
Try to boot at "Safe mode" , and see if the problem persists.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 ProIntel 113700H16GBNVIDIA RTX 3050 ti
OS
Windows 11 Pro
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
HP Pavilion 17 cd2205nw
CPU
Intel 113700H
Memory
16GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA RTX 3050 ti
Screen Resolution
1980x1020
Hard Drives
Micron 512GB
Mouse
Logitech
Internet Speed
100Mbs
Browser
Vivaldi , Edge
Antivirus
Windows defender
Bug locker said:
Try to boot at "Safe mode" , and see if the problem persists.
Click to expand...

So interesting development. I did not have any monitors hooked up to the computer and was only accessing the desktop via RDP. When I hooked up a monitor and booted into safe mode, there was no issue. I booted into normal Windows with the monitor still attached and no issues!

I removed the monitor and i am able to RDP without any issues however I have not rebooted the PC without a monitor attached.

This smells like some type of Display related issue.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Intel Core i7-6700K @4.00GHz, 4008Mhz, 4 Core...32 GBNVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
MSI / MS-7977
CPU
Intel Core i7-6700K @4.00GHz, 4008Mhz, 4 Cores, 8 Logic
Motherboard
Z170A Gaming M5 (MS-7977)
Memory
32 GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
Hard Drives
250 GB SSD
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