Windows 7 slowed down tremendously and explorer hangs up all the time!

[lestro]

Hi!

I've searched through every possible thread about explorer.exe freezing up, windows 7 slowing down but I couldn't find a solution. That led me to register and hopefully get some help.

In recent days, my computer extremely slowed down. A few months back, it started booting up really slow but I didn't mind it. It was working well, although if you opened a program too quickly before the system started, it would freeze.

But now, it's just ridiculous. The fan is running full speed 100% when the computer is on. I ran Malware in safe mode, found one threat but didn't help. I tried services, turned them all off, didn't help.

One IMPORTANT thing to mention is that I can't type anything in explorer. If I open Menu Start and try to search for something, it will freeze. Same in explorer window. I can't delete a file with the DELETE key, I can't use CTRL+C, CTRL+V because explorer freezes. Right click works, though.

I'd be glad to give you more information if necessary, and I really appreciate your help because this is getting really annoying.

EDIT: I'm working on MSI FX603 laptop with i5 Intel Core, GeForce 425M and 4GB Ram. I just updated Graphics, Network drivers. Didn't help.

 

[gregrocker]

Work through these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7
especially establishing a Clean Boot, checking logs for repeat errors, using System Resources to check for Solutions to problems.

The steps lead up to a possible Repair Install or Clean Reinstall which you may want to skip to at any time.

 

[lestro]

I wanted to possibly avoid re-installing Windows because I have a lot of stuff on this computer I wouldn't wanna lose.

If I try to repair, or if I re-install Windows, do I lose everything from the C:\ drive?

Also, computer seems to work fine in safe mode.

 

[gregrocker]

Your files should always be backed up externally, or to the cloud using 7gb free storage which comes with each Windows Live ID on Skydrive, or buying more for cheap. You can even sync your files to the cloud using Sync Any Folder to Your SkyDrive Account | PCWorld.

 

[lestro]

I found the problem. I was trying everything, clean boot, services. I went to Task Manager, and saw the mgsyscntrl process takes up a quarter of processor. Its MSI's all pretty icons and stuff (for example, when you increase volume). I looked it up and it said that spyware sometimes hides in that file. I ended the process, and everything was fixed. I could search in Menu Start, fan stopped running full speed.

I'm gonna run antiviruses on this file. But if it's infected, can I still reinstall the program and still have it on my computer or I just have to get rid of it completely?

 

[gregrocker]

Install and run a full scan with Malwarebytes . Then uninstall any bloatware AV and replace with Microsoft Security Essentials

If you're still running the bloated factory preinstalled Win7 then I'd consider getting a Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

At the minimum I'd Clean Up Factory Bloatware starting with the bloatware that was causing the problem. Then if it provides functions you miss you can try reinstalling it from the MSI Support Downloads webpage for your model. If you can't do without it then make sure the download is available before uninstalling.

 

[trinaz]

Hi guys...without a long explanation...I have reason to beleive my explorer.exe 'might' have something attached to it also. Same slow running responces/restarts on some issues.

Is it possible to restore a previous good explorer.exe from an older system image. I have Acronis and have images/tibs going back to Aug that did no show the issue/slowing & restartuing explorer.exe.

From the Acronis boot disk...can I simply restore the good copy of explorer.exe over the current one...or might the malware...if it is indeed there...have spread to other files/programs and the restore would not help ?

TiminAz

 

[gregrocker]

The image will overwrite anything on the partition but if you want to get the disk cleanest first then I'd run Diskpart Clean Command.

Of course the image has explorer and all other files exactly as they were when you made the image, so nothing that has become corrupted since will survive.

 

[trinaz]

Thanks...but what if I just 'restore' explorer.exe to a date I wasn't having any issues with ??

Can I from Acronis System Disk (outside Windows) just restore/replace the current explorer.exe with a know explorer.exe that was not showing the issues I am having now ?

TiminAZ

 

[gregrocker]

I believe you must have the installed True Image program to mount it - at least the only way I know.

Maybe this will help: How to replace explorer.exe in Windows 7?

Have you also run System Restore and SFC -SCANNOW Command?

Short of the Clean Reinstall you can also run as a last resort a Repair Install

 

[bobafetthotmail]

I'd personally run some good antivirus or antimalware rescue disk, like say Avira's or kaspersky's

If for some reason what gregrocket said fails and what I told above fails as well you can use any good linux live-cd (like say Ubuntu) to replace explorer.exe from one you pilfered from a working Win7 installation on another machine with that same disk and a usb pendrive. Practice using it a bit on less-critical files, as the interface and commands may not be exactly the same as windows 7.