Windows 8.1 Explorer HANG

[RedSarge]

Hi, so I noticed this new issue cropped up. Also, new to the forums!

Intermittently when I right-click, sometimes, not always.... Explorer.exe will hang. It bogs down any work I'm doing, and I have to restart explorer as it often crashes.

So, I created a Windows 8.1 boot DVD and did: [copy paste from notepad]

*I'm index number 2 windows 8.1 ".wim" file*
=========MAY.11th===========
1) RAN: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:WIM:\sources\install.wim:2 /LimitAccess
**DIDNT WORK @ index 2!!**
**Try INDEX "1"?** Tride it below [step 5]

2) [grabbed ".wim" index "2" file from DVD/ISO] RAN: dism /export-image /SourceImageFile:\sources\install.wim /SourceIndex:2 /DestinationImageFile:C:\install.wim /Compress:max /CheckIntegrity
RESULT: Index '2' ".Wim" file on C drive

3) [install index "1" in drive C:] THEN -> RAN: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:WIM:C:\install.wim:2 /LimitAccess
RESULT: same result, cannot find files error!

4) DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
RESULT: Error 6824 - !!!

5) RAN: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:WIM:\sources\install.wim:1 /LimitAccess
With Index '1'!!
RESULT: Same Error 0x800f081f
=
=
NEXT -> 6) CBS.log and REGEDIT! Attempt.

Looking through my DISM logfile, it appears that windows DEFENDER is causing a problem. It is currently disabled as I use Kasperky.

Spoiler

Checking System Update Readiness.

(p) CSI Payload Corrupt amd64_microsoft-windows-b..vironment-os-loader_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.18066_none_4bfc8767408c1d55\winload.efi
(p) CSI Payload Corrupt amd64_microsoft-windows-a..ence-mitigations-c2_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16459_none_fd070b9ac625b39f\msimain.sdb
(p) CSI Payload Corrupt amd64_microsoft-windows-e..riseclientsync-host_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16520_none_bf0ebd224a5eabb2\WorkfoldersControl.dll
(p) CSI Payload Corrupt amd64_microsoft-windows-a..ence-mitigations-c2_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16441_none_fd09d936c624ccf6\msimain.sdb
(p) CSI Payload Corrupt amd64_windows-defender-service_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16404_none_b6bb041f2a82b805\MpRtp.dll
(p) CSI Payload Corrupt amd64_windows-defender-service_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16404_none_b6bb041f2a82b805\MpClient.dll
(p) CSI Payload Corrupt amd64_windows-defender-service_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16404_none_b6bb041f2a82b805\MpCmdRun.exe
(p) CSI Payload Corrupt amd64_windows-defender-service_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16404_none_b6bb041f2a82b805\MpAsDesc.dll
(p) CSI Payload Corrupt amd64_windows-defender-service_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16404_none_b6bb041f2a82b805\MpSvc.dll
(p) CSI Payload Corrupt amd64_windows-defender-service_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16404_none_b6bb041f2a82b805\MsMpEng.exe
(p) CSI Payload Corrupt amd64_windows-defender-service_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16404_none_b6bb041f2a82b805\MsMpCom.dll
(p) CSI Payload Corrupt amd64_windows-defender-service_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16404_none_b6bb041f2a82b805\MsMpLics.dll
(p) CSI Payload Corrupt amd64_windows-defender-service_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16404_none_b6bb041f2a82b805\MpTpmAtt.dll
(p) CSI Payload Corrupt amd64_windows-defender-service_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16404_none_b6bb041f2a82b805\MpCommu.dll
(p) CSI Payload Corrupt amd64_windows-defender-service_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16404_none_b6bb041f2a82b805\MpOAV.dll
(p) CSI Payload Corrupt amd64_prncacla.inf_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16384_none_9590ba64d5b91f79\Amd64\CNBJ2530.DPB

Cannot attach DISM or CBS log... hmm missing priveleges?

 

[Slavic]

You attempted to fix a problem assuming that it is in the damaged or misconfigured Windows components. But this is only one possible reason, and need to do some researches to confirm or disprove it. I would suggest to use first the more common approach, gradually simplifying your configuration and checking the behaviour.

First, you need to disable all shell extensions which are currently used in the OS (they are available in right-click menu). This can be done using the msconfig or (more easy) CCleaner: Tools -> Startup -> Context Menu. Also temporarily disable any antivirus program, in its own menu or in startup. Unplug all non-important external devices, incl. net connection. Check whether the disabled shell extensions solve the hangs. If yes, enable the extensions one-by-one until the problem happens again. Then you can decide whether to remove this extension or replace it with another version.

If this didn't solve the problem, try to use the OS Safe Mode, then check again. If hangs are persistent, then indeed you need to use DISM and fix the damaged Windows. Otherwise it may be an effect of either badly working resident programs loaded at startup or their automatically started services, or a malfunctioning device drivers. Again, depending on the previous result, you can disable or uninstall the residents (use CCleaner), disable the suspicious device drivers and third party services (use msconfig) or use the generic drivers from Windows installation instead.

 

[RedSarge]

@Slavic - Thank you, I was just about to post about my new findings regarding this issue. I've use Shellview to disable all non-microsoft extensions, but the problem persists. I will go through what you have mentioned. I would like to add, I ran DISM today [June7th] and got the same "unable to repair the files" error. It's gotta be my Shell32.dll.

UPDATE: I bought CCleaner , made a restore point and ran it.
It looks like MEGA Sync and it's shellview files were not uninstalled correctly and did NOT show up in Shellview, so I couldn't disable them. I had bunch of other registry issues related to it, and some faulty silverlight. Everythings working now!

I'm stress testing my Windows Explorer with thumbnail creation, and right-clicking and just browsing my huge 3D printer archive.
I'm sure if I ran DISM again I'd get the same error, will have to check.

 

[Slavic]

You can also use the command sfc /scannow
Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files