Windows Explorer - No Refresh - Spy Glass on fldr expansion

[Warmbeer]

Been having multiple issues with Windows Explorer for the last week:

• Sometimes when adding folders or changing file names in the right panel the panel does not expand
• Sometimes when trying to expand a folder in the left panel i get the rotating spy glass for several minutes - if i am patient enough it usually resolves - expanding folders to their contents in the right folder still works when this happens and the explorer function when opening or saving a file inside an app is not effected.

Both of the above continue in all new WE windows but sometimes may not occur in previously opened WE windows, at least not right away.
I have tried solutions from searches all around the internet without much success, the problem keeps returning. This morning when i had it again i decided to thoroughly track exactly what i did and what happened, so here is the sequence from this mornings instance:

1. Explorer seems to be working ok
   may have been in a non-refresh state - but I dont think so
2. I create a new child folder (3 levels deep) - rename it
3. I move 49 files from parent to child folder
4. 47 move ok - 2 appear left behind -still highlighted
5. I try F5 refresh - still there
6. I check the root directory for destop.ini - deleting that file has sometimes fixed the WinEx no right pane auto refresh in the past - no destop.ini in the root dir
7. I try to move one of the 2 to a different folder on a different disk
8. I get an error message - file no longer shows - WinEx window refreshes
9. I try to open a new WinEx window - gets as far as Desktop in left panel and pauses - rotating mag glass
10. I move around right panel in WinEx 1 - no problem
11. I Try to expand left panel folder in WinEx 1 left panel - rotating mag glass
12. In Task Manager - end Explorer Process - task bar and both Win Ex windows go away but explorer process still there
13. Task Manager - restart Explorer Process - Explorer Process restarts - now have 2 explorer processes
    attempt to open fresh WinEx window from Task Bar pin - nothing happen except get third explorer process
    not certain but may have tried to open WinEx window with WIN e key - still no immediate response
14. After a couple minutes WinEx window opens - now down to one explorer process
15. Moving around the WinEx window seems ok - right and left panel - changing and expanding folders
16. I try creating new folder in right panel - panel does not auto refresh but does after F5
17. Then after i was writing this up and tried it again after maybe 5-10 minutes the auto refresh seems to have restored.

Things I have tried before this instance to fix the problem

• I ran sfc and got nop errors
• Recently had to restart the Windows Search service - it is now running - startup type automatic
• Also have recently had WinEx crash with message "Windows Explorer has stopped working"
• Tried the Windows troubleshooter without success

My next ideas are to try any of the following:

• Try other means to fix Windows - is there a way to try to fix Windows from the install disk like in XP? I dont have a Windows install disk but i do have a Win7 Upgrade disk from an upgrade for another machine, would that work to try to fix the OS and would an OS fix be likely to fix a problem with Win Ex.?
• Replace the Explorer file from another Win7 computer - or is this likely to cause more problems than it fixes?
• Beg for help / ideas here.

Any other ideas much appreciated.
TIA
ed

My setup
HP GX450 Laptop - Win7 Pro 64 bit - 8 GB Ram - 750 GB internal HDD - Multiple external HDDs connected at any given time including 2 or 3 thumb drives, BlacX SATA USB 2.0 dock, USB 3.5" generic enclosure w/ 2 GB HDD

 

[torchwood]

Hi WarmBeer,

you could try the repair tool KB947821.

post the log from
C >> windows >> logs >> cbs ... SURT

if that fails heres a link to a W7 SP1 Pro download.
https://software-download.microsoft.com/sg/Win7_Pro_SP1_English_x64.iso?t=932b6f1d-8c1b-4ddb-82e9-6fb1645ad5ff&e=1509285447&h=6c7982b973efe232eb437e1ab519e6ba
ONLY VALID for 24hrs

then you can try a system repair --- NO loss of your data, if nothing showing in the log
Repair Install - Windows 7 Help Forums


Roy

 

[Warmbeer]

Wow - thanks for the quick reply Roy!!

you could try the repair tool KB947821.

Wasn't sure how to get to that repair tool so i Googled it - The site it directed me to (Download System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB947821) [October 2014] from Official Microsoft Download Center) says
"This tool is being offered because an inconsistency was found in the Windows servicing store which may prevent the successful installation of future updates, service packs, and software."
Not sure how that might be relevant to my problem - do you have some specific reason for suggesting that tool?

post the log from
C >> windows >> logs >> cbs ... SURT

I checked the log at C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log - is that the file you meant? - Not sure what SURT means?
The log was ~ 3.5 MB of characters so i shortened it to the last couple days of entries so i could upload it. Not too familiar with that process so hope it ends up where it is visible here.
In the meantime i will download the repair file - i presume you mean the download is only valid for 24 hrs - not the running of the download. If not true let me know.
Thanks so much for your quick and helpful (hopefully) input.
ed

 

[torchwood]

Hi WarmBeer

please run the tool, apart from flagging windows update problems it also reports other problems.

you only need to post the SURT log in the CBS folder.

Yes the download is only available for 24hrs, it gives you a "new" OS.


Roy

 

[Warmbeer]

Tried running the tool - been sitting there with about 90% complete for about 5 min. How long might it take? or do i give up and try again?
Does the tool create the SURT file? cause i dont have one so far.
LMK
Thanks
ed

 

[torchwood]

Hi Warmbeer,

Usuall running time any where up to 2 hours.
(more than likely found something if it runs longer than 15 mins)

Yes it does produce that report.


Roy

 

[Warmbeer]

Thanks Roy -
Thanks for your continued interest.
It took about 3 hrs to run.
Still no SURT file, but there is a CheckSUR.log and a CheckSUR.persist.log
They appear to be duplicates. Guessing that is what you are looking for.
attached.
ed

 

[torchwood]

Hi Ed,

It did do a big check/fix. There are still poroblems tho

can you run this tool, copy/paste. wont take as long
http://www.sysnative.com/niemiro/apps/SFCFix.exe

Roy

 

[Warmbeer]

Thanks Roy,
As i started to pursue this i decided would be a good idea to set a restore point - and that process has failed so far - thus the delay. Hope you are willing to stick with me while i work that out.

In the meantime would you mind indicating what you mean by doing "a big check/fix"?
Also, if not too much bother, can you explain some of what i should look for in the CheckSUR.log and confirm that is the same as the SURT file you were looking for?
Thanks again for sticking with me on this dilema.

ed

 

[Warmbeer]

OK, got a restore point set - even though it never finished it created the point - and another was created automatically since then.
Result of the above tool =
Stage 1 of 6 failed on server
Stage 2 thru 5 of 6 100%

Stage 4 slowed way down around 40%-50%
Stage 6 - dont think it completed - screen cleared before i got details.
then reported "Failed to create zip file with errno 2 - 4 times
Scan completed w warnings
Checking store directories...CBS.log...CheckSUR.log
Attempting repair ...
Stage 1/2/3
Summary
CBS & SFC all counts = 0
SURT total detected corrupt = 201
SURT total unimportant = 0
SURT total fixed = 0
---
Message 1 of 1
...sending them the logfile which will soon be generated and opened...
then created SFCFix.txt to desktop
attached.
Let me know .
ed

 

[Warmbeer]

By the way - for now WE is working much better.

 

[torchwood]

Hi Ed,

The big check/fix, was SURT KB947821.

It found 200+ errors annoted f and the ones it fixed annoted fix, in the line immediately below it.
It left 8 unresolved, which is why i asked you to run Sfc.
The odd thing is that its still reporting 200+ errors
Did you REBOOT between running SURT and Sfc
If not please do so

can you then rerun SURT kb947821 it shouldn't take as long, he said hopefully.
post the new log, would only like to see 8 errors


As for the errors themselves they all appear to be related to a corrupt install/uninstall of Avast.
unfortunately just uninstalling it does NOT repair the problems.

Roy

 

[Warmbeer]

Running KB947821. Installed updates - sitting on Initializing Installation for at least half an hr.
Is that normal?
ed

 

[Warmbeer]

Finished running - looks like we are down to 16 errors.
attached

 

[torchwood]

Hi Ed

if you have this update installed kb4019264,
Uninstall it please.

If you have Avast installed please uninstall it
VIA SAFE MODE AND USE THIER UNINSTALLER


hows your system running

Roy

 

[Warmbeer]

Is Avast the same as AVG/AVG Zen?
How do I know if i have kb4019264 and if so how do i uninstall it.

 

[Warmbeer]

WE is as bad as ever if not worse.

 

[torchwood]

Hi Ed,

No Avast/AVG are different.

It was on your system at some stage please uninstall it in Safe mode
Avast Uninstall Utility | Download aswClear for Avast Removal

to remove an update
Control panal >> Windows Updates >> installed updates(bottom left) >> right click on it uninstall.


Roy

 

[Warmbeer]

The clearer is running, for about 5 min. now - How long might it take? Does it need an internet connection?
I think I ran safe mode with the Network connection, not quite sure.

Some updates on experiences in the meantime, not sure if any might be applicable.
Late yesterday a new issue was that right clicking on a folder, left or right pane, in WE, and choosing properties gave no results. Got up this morning and found about a dozen properties windows open.

When I first restarted my computer to go to Safe Mode just now I was not paying attention and went past the opportunity to choose safe mode, so I did an immediate restart - the closing down screen stayed on an extremely long time - > 15 minutes, until I finally gave up and forced a shut down.

Thanks again for your persistence in staying the course on this, much appreciated.
ed

 

[Warmbeer]

Ok, it claims the program was uninstalled.
Restart this time only took 5 minutes - what is normal anyway?
On restart trying to open Windows Update - first just the outline of the window - then an all white window.
Tried to open WE - would not open - got "The remote procedure call failed and did not execute."
will reboot if necessary and report back.
ed