Possbile freezing bug found in Windows 8.1?

JohnnyGui

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Hey all,

I noticed this very random and weird freezing bug when performing specific steps in Windows 8.1. I was still able to reproduce this feezing bug after doing a reformat and reinstalling Windows 8 and upgrading to Windows 8.1 with Update 1 along with all other latest Windows updates.

Steps:
1. Open the File association dialog where you can change the programs associated with specific filetypes (search for "association" in the Search Bar under Settings):
Step 1.jpg

2. Select a random filetype and click "Another program" in the right upper corner.

3. A "Windows 8" style menu pops up in which you can choose a program. Click "More Options" in that menu and scroll down to click "Search another app on this PC" (mine is in Dutch):

Step 2.jpg

4. A browsing dialog appears in which you can choose a program, don't select anything and immediately click on "Cancel"

5. The File association dialog will now freeze and you can't select anything nor move or close the dialog.
6. Opening the Task Manager shows that the browsing dialog still seems to be open although you have cancelled it (it is shown as "Choose an app" in Task Manager:

Step 3.jpg


7. The File association will only unfreeze if you close the above mentioned process in Task Manager.

I'm running Windows 8.1 x64 Pro with Update 1 and Media Center. Specs: nVidia GTX 660Ti, CPU i5 3570K, 8 GB RAM and 1 TB HDD.

The problem is that this bug is very random and sometimes doesn't occur. I'm still trying find out what the exact trigger is. Anyone able to reproduce this?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 (Update 1) Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i5 3570K
    Motherboard
    Asrock Pro4 Z77
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Geforce GTX 660Ti
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HDS921010DLE630
Following your steps, mine did not freeze, but you say it doesn't always happen.

You might check the Event Viewer to see if it shows any Warnings or Errors related to the situation. If you file browser window is accessing more that the local hard drive, it might be waiting for some network type source to open.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown
    CPU
    i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77 -v Pro, Z87-Expert
    Memory
    16 G
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 680 Classified (2)
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SSD 240 GB
Following your steps, mine did not freeze, but you say it doesn't always happen.

You might check the Event Viewer to see if it shows any Warnings or Errors related to the situation. If you file browser window is accessing more that the local hard drive, it might be waiting for some network type source to open.

I just checked the logs and there aren't any error logs coming up. The only 2 logs that come up when I try the freezing bug appear in 'Application' and says:

1. The Windows Location Provider has successfully started.
2. The Windows Location Provider has successfully shutdown.

These are just information logs.

I think that letting the PC on for a good 30 minutes on the Desktop without moving the mouse or doing anything increases the risk of the freezing bug. I'm not sure though.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 (Update 1) Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i5 3570K
    Motherboard
    Asrock Pro4 Z77
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Geforce GTX 660Ti
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HDS921010DLE630
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