Windows Explorer won't load; can't "Run As Admin"

OK. Weird stuff.

Windows 8.1 x64.

When I directly click on the Taskbar Explorer icon, it flashes for a bit, then nothing. If I right click and select a pinned folder, it opens instantly.

I also have a CMD prompt pinned to the task bar. If I right click, then right click on the CMD again and then select Run as Admin, it doesn't load. It will load non-admin instantly. (I also tried running as admin from the Start Screen with a long press- that doesn't work).

However, I can go into the advanced properties of the CMD shortcut and check to run it as an admin. That works.

I have tried a utility to purge missing mount points in the the Registry, and an SFC scan, which showed no problems.

Any ideas?

This sounds the same as my recent reason for coming to this forum. "THIS PC" folder taking forever to display.

The fix turned out to be a hosed Explorer.Exe. I went to task manager (by right clicking the bottom tasks bar) and selected the Windows Explorer under apps (Explorer.Exe) and right clicking it and doing a restart. Cleared it up instantly for me.