Explorer not loading any contents

[ankitp]

When I open the libraries from the taskbar, the icons for documents, pictures, music, etc. are not visible. The tree that should appear on the left pane also doesn't load. Just 'Libraries' is visible in the pane, with a magnifying glass moving on its icon. The same thing happens when I open My Computer from the start menu. Just keeps on loading, nothing appears. Icons are blank (white). I have attached the image.

Before all of this happened, I was trying to access a folder on my desktop, and a .wav file inside was crashing windows media player. That folder's contents were also taking too long too load. To fix that, I ran disk cleanup, registry & traces cleanup and also ran the Disk Defragmenter. After defrag, I encountered the above problem. Any help on how to fix this ?

 

[JaidynM]

Do you have a System Restore point dated before the problem occurred? If so, restore to that point and see if the problem persists.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html

Also run an sfc/scannow a couple of times in an elevated command prompt. The defrag may have corrupted some files to cause the problem.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

 

[ankitp]

Thanks for the advice JaidynM. I tried restoring the system, but after the reboot, the restore operation fails, even after I turned off the antivirus. I ran sfc/ scannow, but it says the integrity is not violated.

 

[JaidynM]

Hmm, okay. Give the following fix a try.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/173029-libraries-hidden-empty-fix.html

 

[ankitp]

its back now.. thanks !!! but the initial problem is still there. There's a folder on my desktop with audio files. When i open it, the contents are visible, but the green bar keeps on loading. And when i try to open a file, windows media player crashes. I can't even delete the folder or any of its contents.

 

[JaidynM]

Right. As I understand it, you are now able to see Explorer as you normally should. However, opening that particular folder still gives you problems?

The audio files may be corrupt or infected. Scan the folder with your preferred anti-virus as well as Malwarebytes (link for download below) just to be sure.
Malwarebytes : Free anti-malware, anti-virus and spyware removal download

Afterwards, try to delete the file from an elevated command prompt using the following tutorial.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/79699-undeletable-file-delete.html