Windows 7 - windows explorer freezes

Hello all!
Have this slight problem:
sometimes (still, quite often actually) windows explorer freezes and cannot display information such as drives and partitions; have to stop windows explorer and restart it and then it works. Cannot see any pattern for this to happen.
Has this happened to someone else ?
All the best
François

Is Explorer the only application that freezes? If not, I'd suggest that it might be a hardware/IRQ problem and to check your device manager for anything that stands out. If anything, it's a drive or partition and Explorer is having to 'poll' the drive, finding error(s) and causing it to hang. Or, it's a network drive or device? Kindly fill out your 'System Specs' so we can all have a better look.

OK, here is config and hijackthis scan:
Windows 7 RC 32 bits
CPU:Model :Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU E2140 @ 1.60GHz
speed :1 GHz
Cores per Processor :
Cache Level 1 :
Cache Level 2 :Size-1024 KB Speed-1024
L2 On-board Multiplier :0
Mainboard
Bus : PNP Bus PCI Bus PCI Bus PCI Bus
System BIOS :Award Software International, Inc. Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG F4
Manufacturer :Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.

Physical Storage Devices
Hitachi HDS721616PLA380 ATA Device (Lecteurs de disque standard) Fixed hard disk media 149 GB
WDC WD4000AAJS-00YFA0 ATA Device (Lecteurs de disque standard) Fixed hard disk media 372 GB
Video System
Model :Radeon X300/X550/X1050 Series (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM)
VGA Compatible :yes
Total Memory :256 MB
Storage:
C: Disque fixe local NTFS Total:39999MB Free:25591MB OS1
D: Disque fixe local NTFS Total:59999MB Free:36894MB DOCUMENTS
E: Disque fixe local NTFS Total:79999MB Free:47673MB SOFTWARE
F: Disque fixe local NTFS Total:39999MB Free:25846MB MUSIC
G: Disque fixe local NTFS Total:39999MB Free:30704MB PIX
H: Disque fixe local NTFS Total:121547MB Free:72872MB MOVIES
I: Disque CD-ROM UDF Total:7816MB Free:0MB IMPOSTOR
J: Disque fixe local NTFS Total:152623MB Free:108319MB BackUp
N: Disque amovible N: Total:0MB Free:0MB N
Memory
Total Physical Memory : 2047 MB
Free Physical Memory : 1 MB
Audio
Name : Périphérique audio USB
Error Code :
Setting manage : no
Description : Périphérique audio USB
Manufacturer: (USB Audio générique)
ProductName: Périphérique audio USB
Status: OK

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 11:39:30, on 20/05/2009
Platform: Unknown Windows (WinNT 6.01.3004)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.7100.0000)
Boot mode: Normal
Running processes:
C:\PROGRAM FILES\PANDA SECURITY\PANDA ANTIVIRUS PRO 2009\WebProxy.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Brother\Brmfcmon\BrMfcWnd.exe
C:\Program Files\Panda Security\Panda Antivirus Pro 2009\ApVxdWin.exe
C:\Program Files\Spotmau\Desktop_Secretary\Spotmau_S.exe
C:\Program Files\Brother\ControlCenter3\brccMCtl.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Download Manager\IDMan.exe
C:\Users\SAD\AppData\Local\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
C:\Program Files\RALINK\Common\RaUI.exe
C:\Program Files\Brother\Brmfcmon\BrMfcmon.exe
C:\Windows\system32\taskhost.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Download Manager\IEMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Mail\wlmail.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\OUTLOOK.EXE
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Users\SAD\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Users\SAD\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files\trend micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = Live Search
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = Yahoo! France
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = MSN.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = Live Search
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = Live Search
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = MSN.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = appspect.com:80
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
O2 - BHO: IDM Helper - {0055C089-8582-441B-A0BF-17B458C2A3A8} - C:\Program Files\Internet Download Manager\IDMIECC.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7E853D72-626A-48EC-A868-BA8D5E23E045} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: VMN Toolbar - {A057A204-BACC-4D26-8287-79A187E26987} - C:\PROGRA~1\VMNTOO~1\VMNTOO~1.DLL
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O3 - Toolbar: VMN Toolbar - {A057A204-BACC-4D26-8287-79A187E26987} - C:\PROGRA~1\VMNTOO~1\VMNTOO~1.DLL
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BrMfcWnd] C:\Program Files\Brother\Brmfcmon\BrMfcWnd.exe /AUTORUN
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ControlCenter3] C:\Program Files\Brother\ControlCenter3\brctrcen.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [APVXDWIN] "C:\Program Files\Panda Security\Panda Antivirus Pro 2009\APVXDWIN.EXE" /s
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SCANINICIO] "C:\Program Files\Panda Security\Panda Antivirus Pro 2009\Inicio.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpotmauSecretary] C:\Program Files\Spotmau\Desktop_Secretary\Spotmau_S.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Installation Diagnostics] "C:\Program Files\Brother\Brmfl05a\Brinstck.exe" /I DCP-115C USB
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [IDMan] C:\Program Files\Internet Download Manager\IDMan.exe /onboot
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Google Update] "C:\Users\SAD\AppData\Local\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe" /c
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'SERVICE LOCAL')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'SERVICE RÉSEAU')
O4 - Global Startup: Ralink Wireless Utility.lnk = C:\Program Files\RALINK\Common\RaUI.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xporter vers Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Télécharger avec IDM - C:\Program Files\Internet Download Manager\IEExt.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Télécharger le contenu de video FLV avec IDM - C:\Program Files\Internet Download Manager\IEGetVL.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Télécharger tous les liens avec IDM - C:\Program Files\Internet Download Manager\IEGetAll.htm
O9 - Extra button: Recherche - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O13 - Gopher Prefix:
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/ge...sh/swflash.cab
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Adobe Systems - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Ati External Event Utility - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\Ati2evxx.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: BrSplService (Brother XP spl Service) - brother Industries Ltd - C:\Windows\system32\brsvc01a.exe
O23 - Service: Crypkey License - Kenonic Controls Ltd. - C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\crypserv.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1150\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: Panda Software Controller - Panda Security, S.L. - C:\Program Files\Panda Security\Panda Antivirus Pro 2009\PsCtrls.exe
O23 - Service: Panda Function Service (PAVFNSVR) - Panda Security, S.L. - C:\Program Files\Panda Security\Panda Antivirus Pro 2009\PavFnSvr.exe
O23 - Service: Panda On-Access Anti-Malware Service (PAVSRV) - Panda Security, S.L. - C:\Program Files\Panda Security\Panda Antivirus Pro 2009\pavsrvx86.exe
O23 - Service: Panda IManager Service (PSIMSVC) - Panda Security S.L. - C:\Program Files\Panda Security\Panda Antivirus Pro 2009\PsImSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Panda PSK service (PskSvcRetail) - Panda Security, S.L. - C:\Program Files\Panda Security\Panda Antivirus Pro 2009\PskSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Panda TPSrv (TPSrv) - Panda Security, S.L. - C:\Program Files\Panda Security\Panda Antivirus Pro 2009\TPSrv.exe

--
End of file - 6570 bytes

and, sorry, forgot to answer, yes, it is the only one program freezing

i encounter this problem too.

it usually happens the first time (after boot up) i try to open explorer or using some programs that uses explorer to browse files (e.g. when i try to open or save a file with an external program like notepad or microsoft excel)

when i forcibly close the explorer window (or dialog in the latter case) and try again, it won't freeze anymore for the rest of the day.

oooh.... i think i found the cause....

explorer froze as usual, when i first open it after logging on.
killed the process and opened explorer again.

then i notice a strange folder with a UUID name, clicking on it prompted me for elevation. The files are some screen capture drivers from zdsoft (i don't remember having them, could be uninstalled a long time ago)
Deleted that folder anyway.

i proceeded to shutdown the pc and switched it on again.
i opened explorer immediately, and behold! no freezing!

my amateur deduction is that explorer usually scans the contents of folders to render the nice-looking preview folder look.
And this particular folder somehow had the wrong permissions and explorer didn't know what to do with it and just waited for elevation that didn't happen.

how about that theory?

could be related to a bug that microsoft patched on RC's release?
A folder that is created under the root of the system drive is missing entries in its security descriptor, which may cause some application failures on the English version of Windows 7 Release Candidate 32-bit Ultimate

Have the same problem when I right-click on recycle bin or in win explorer to move/copy, etc. Freezes till I end in task manager and restart, then works fine.

This happens on a 64bit install on a laptop and a 32bit install on a desktop.

Could be an app, but I've DC'd them one by one and still have the issue.

Win 7 EC build 7100. All updates.

Hi,

I had got same problem: When I browsed host drives from virtual pc I had got explorer freezing.

Host machine is windows 7 64-bit
Guest machine is xp 32-bit.

Problem was comodo antivirus/firewall, maybe some internal conflicts (I had not investigated)

Regards and apologize for my english!
Cristian