I can't start progams that contain media after a while

[MegaFooby]

I've been having this problem for a few months (a bit after I installed the final updates) where anywhere between a couple minutes and a couple days after startup, I can't start most programs or even watch videos. I have no idea what's causing it.

YouTube video player, Windows media player, VLC, and the Discord player open, but can't play videos or music.
Unity Editor and most of my games will softlock in the initial load.
Discord will completely lock up when I join a voice channel.
When I shut down, it's almost always waiting for Windows Explorer (playing logoff sound) and I need to force it to shut down.


Rebooting my computer fixes it, but it always comes back. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix it? Or will I need a fresh Windows Installation?

 

[wither 2]

Just to get things started on this, what happens when you try to start "most programs?"

 

[file3456]

Is your video card automatically updated behind your back, especially by Windows?

Can you remember the last thing you did or what happened prior to this behavior?

What I would try to do now is go into safe mode and use Revo Uninstaller to uninstall the video card driver. Then reboot and reinstall the latest and current video card driver without Experience and all the other fluff crap.

On it's face this sounds like a GPU issue. If after you have followed my advice and still exhibit the same behavior, then I would pull out Autoruns and just make sure you don't have anything starting up that is causing a conflict. I'd also use Process Explorer and check things out there. You may also want to see if it's Norton at all by temp uninstalling it and see if the behavior is still there.

I only use about four updates and I know from experience and reading post after post on various tech forums updates can and will cause issues. Then "updates" need updates. I just roll with a tight ship chiefly with the use of the now free Sandboxie for my browser and scan ALL downloads at Virus Total. If you don't browse shady websites, block Ads, use Sandboxie for your browser and scan all downloads at Virus Total, then there really isn't any need for a cumbersome, definition-based anti-virus and updates after updates. But if you like surfing the dark side and don't know much about computers, then a good, reputable anti-virus and updates would be merited. I only use updates that are for software and hardware needs. Beyond that, and in my opinion, they're all trash. Yes, they can stop certain attack surfaces and what not, but the difference between a home-based PC and that of a corporate level PC and/or server is a lot bigger.

Has your anti-virus stopped anything besides "false positives?" In all the years I've used an anti-virus it's never stopped anything and on occasion just issue an alert on a false positive and just cause grief for what I do since I'm a huge power user and use software that's coded to look like malware to an anti-virus.

Anyways. This may be the GPU driver or an update issue. If you tried everything I stated, then I'd proceed to uninstall (if you can) one update after another until hopefully the issue has been elevated. I really don't know what else to say other then the fact if I was there in front of your computer I probably could figure it out right quick. You asked for suggestions and there they be.