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Fix computer freezing - explorer.exe hangs

Butch 75 Reputation points
2025-08-25T18:45:58.8166667+00:00

Need a little assist from community.

From time to time (about once or twice a week) my computer freezes - explorer.exe hangs. I know this is not an unknown problem, but it really is getting irritating. One of three things usually happens: 1) Computer completely freezes, no response from mouse or keyboard and reset doesn't work. Hard power off is only solution. 2) Can click anywhere on monitor and explorer.exe restarts and everything is fine. 3) Click anywhere on monitor and explorer.exe gets stuck in a continuous restart and hard power off is the only solution. Second occurrence is the most common problem.

System Information:

Intel Core Ultra 7 265K

Asus ROG Strix Z890-E Mobo

128GB RAM

Asus RX 9060XT 16GB Graphics Card

2TB WD Black SSD

Windows 11 Pro

Version 24H2

Build 26100-4946

I have 3 PC's all running Windows 11 Pro with the same version and build and this is the only one I'm having problem with.

Here's what I've already tried: (All suggestions I found online to date)

SFC (Windows Version - No problems found)

Offline SFC (Partition Master Version - No problems found)

DISM (Scanhealth & Restorehealth - No problems found)

Clean Boot (Problem still occurs)

Intel CPU Diagnostics (All tests Pass)

Memory diagnostics: (4 Passes MemTest86 - All tests pass)

Ran all SanDisk test on SSD (All Passed)

Swapped graphics card (one I had on hand for a new build for my brother - didn't help)

Re-Install Windows 11 Pro (Keeping apps & data - didn't help)

Checked CPU & GPU Temperatures - all withing very safe range

All drivers are up to date

All power settings are the same on all my PC's

Disabled XMP BIOS setting from enabled to disabled - didn't help

Disable Virtualization setting in BIOS - didn't help

Created a New User, that didn't help. Got another hang error withing the first 2 hours

When I check Event Viewer it always shows a critical error happened at the time and it's always the same:

Log Name: Application

Source: Application Hang

Description: The program explorer.exe version 10.0.26100.4768 stopped interacting with Windows and was closed. To see if more information about the problem is available, check the problem history in the Security and Maintenance control panel.

I'm at a loss. I know there are probably other things I've already tried from other suggestions I've found online, but I can't think of them for now. If there's anyone that can suggest anything else to try, I'm open for all suggestions.

Regards,

Gordon

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Performance and system failures

4 answers

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  1. Ivan Bitencourt 65,025 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-08-25T19:46:25.18+00:00

    Hi ,

    This is very strange, you formatted and tested with other builds besides 24h2, we need to test clean Windows without files and programs so we can filter the problem.

    Thanks

  2. Butch 75 Reputation points
    2025-08-25T20:06:59.0633333+00:00

    Hi Ivan,

    Give me a couple of days. What I want to do is remove my system ssd and put a different one in with Windows 11 Pro and no other files and apps to see if that resolves the problem. That way I won't have to reinstall everything after testing.

    Thanks for the advice.

    0 comments
  3. Ivan Bitencourt 65,025 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-08-25T22:37:41.1233333+00:00

    Hi ,

    We'll use Pperform a BIOS update along with the new chipset .

    In this case you need to suspend bitlocker to do bios update.

    Here's how to suspend BitLocker protection:

    Open the Control Panel.

    Select System and Security > BitLocker Drive Encryption > Suspend Protection.

    Select Yes.

    Bios: https://dlcdnta.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/BIOS/ROG-STRIX-Z890-E-GAMING-WIFI-ASUS-2006.ZIP?model=ROG%20STRIX%20Z890-E%20GAMING%20WIFI&Signature=XLmI5GRGUMHm8KvfNqoqFtEvTCmOEOilHcUyHGOWA~pWKuLexxZyoHq69HMuzk~nusPGPhekMsWr-C7y3UpnNhzXYo7uJvMN4sW6w96vjj1bTv2CgAG9kxnrIL2VTqO6nMfgbiXNbtJgL1UJM9aXKwEoM9658t-6Cn5brinbwrxu7JpkfuKbjEl73KDCkvYyp3kiiOnl619EgpIS3fHnbn5ULFrD8pSu1psbZg2xeMdvfbWhSzZhTiZNy3yq-azy5V9sWdQOh0nK~0goZiWF~1WZv6KcFlKvAWPCeBGNDO6E83Uz6Q3RJkzNZJ~T5iSfOj~~3H7~0umHNL~zQF~bQQ__&Expires=1756161489&Key-Pair-Id=K2ITB7O97XKKCX

    How to Update Bios: https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1008859/

    After updating the bios you will update the drivers.

    https://dlcdnta.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1851/ROG_STRIX_Z890-E_GAMING_WIFI/ITBT4_PD_FW_update_tool_v1.29.zip?model=ROG%20STRIX%20Z890-E%20GAMING%20WIFI&Signature=SpWu~MyhF1dlrGIXJQ1Dur7-iB1BUT~HWQbjzR6LIlNCVNUjMg4xZvqrW1KjnWJ0h2uf4XV4OwdIUotPwPo-7PZn0vSHZVOoqruic20OR5zMQc5J8g6QdJO5MTXSbVIxLK6oF5-k6AOFPclbgFbP5QmRAMrJrRgPleBL7UT3Iu2Rg1Bat0EK3GB3iYNFIXaQf1mdg5DU2wOQ88Srt9J~S3E1qJsEcCAprSS57pLL~CMiTj3pucX0L8zSlRsM6oqorXrjb5OkC9itMuP39jc2kudroWLPQRB6CtmMT7aVUxX~5IiHlvGPciApsCTEx6MfJdV65Jpd9v6fTrpLv~fGoA__&Expires=1756161507&Key-Pair-Id=K2ITB7O97XKKCX

    https://dlcdnta.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/MEUpdateTool/MEUpdateTool_19.0.5.1992V2_T.zip?model=ROG%20STRIX%20Z890-E%20GAMING%20WIFI&Signature=z97y3y1JpUmG3A42Ek7O0Xom7fuDCU~mRYFQrBXV3E87QGCnXastNlJ9jEZvu5v-KxG2m~Xf8RVvo~pqbMcQW0aqvoUfOiCtTx8SRucOxfIGfBqL~5vk8YGWiy~SOaDJvDTmTFgnzFxusGJHT38ulA~~uFyv8VWmn3ox9LvQhg6BswWfgK7nusBUWWvYI3I87V0Be0WlUtf-USsMozwjm6jDWRKQxHLy8oyjtdfsW0O0YLCsdUEAMJBvO3VIgxKGVDM~vHS7d~AbjKpGcNiaKrdeRmqQqVv~mOr77zwVp4i0g0KyB7OiOzvY6XhCFQMJQP2Fm22uIoS6bUexEb0rEA__&Expires=1756161523&Key-Pair-Id=K2ITB7O97XKKCX

    Chipset

    https://dlcdnta.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/09MEI/DRV_MEI_Intel_ARL_TP_W11_64_V2517810_20250625R.zip?model=ROG%20STRIX%20Z890-E%20GAMING%20WIFI&Signature=09unw50sbV~zsl2VzCJsjzWh0iW-cpWyURvtZvqKP1t4uhiZleKgOvoV5ZLg7pS8-lvSuSGTqr775BUwBbsNC4nDeG~YSXH9f7dh9law-b89QM01-7e5CLLc879CGsZ~C4tLiDdDk72qqJuI7iuCYEgW5WOTj6WuhLJuwXV17aqmKHWFvD4DYBDI6iHcQ1b7APl0ZhPjJY53Uwk59Duh1mhz1FVwmaQn0FWSM6jFSJrJJlTL~oajHsgD6GzwKxfx0ezOAo30yEi~TeC7YoxM~znjkG0q7c3ZB57UrxpHh2rjlMS05bJvRuGYW208U53h-uHTjkkhTJC3~e1VT24jtA__&Expires=1756161624&Key-Pair-Id=K2ITB7O97XKKCX

    https://dlcdnta.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/03CHIPSET/DRV_Chipset_Intel_ARL_TP_W11_64_V101200628627_20250625R.zip?model=ROG%20STRIX%20Z890-E%20GAMING%20WIFI&Signature=eZHhCaFgvHkqrSijescaOBsSoWxIyF6XpegK7g1H6XkZLwcnF4uvjPyIg8l5eBE5bsH-mvIAkyH5xs-zTtWbzXUSbQFCeCQAnoTdHcUGjsm79l6vSrrvR-DPLKKkOKFUGYiKcxXa5SG4ZoItl3WgfaynWtKoTNMEhTFun3PvhhZMNo84KjH733RdsfHaeTUlti~JGg-aXUt~X0nCnXkHDVJ1WJgdjbJMKac4BRa21GygwzyaZ1qA7AzF5Wp14-phZNx8HXS1zqYyvw-CcT2w~RKKo4bdU-77fVIuuHYSNF1gH30bYCFlzm2DXwVWB5gX~ad8QH~Sg~OCCR3IYkDkcw__&Expires=1756161682&Key-Pair-Id=K2ITB7O97XKKCX

    https://dlcdnta.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/03CHIPSET/DRV_DTT_Intel_ARL_TP_W11_64_V22102048_20250318R.zip?model=ROG%20STRIX%20Z890-E%20GAMING%20WIFI&Signature=nnxoxsIMjyNrQoqKDJExO86ToA08SvgSE3rruvxujQCFAfmQV95f8Pa0JiflR1D0oAXScK~HSsamO3yq4LmSGf-g7~fSNEorstdn2VGiuxOkAZ2PpAj07tnZHF9cYTSDnLlVlsIisVUugdIs9DPTShUR~C4xMNljr9n-GKwiKR0eoj0sxyLr3qoTClJw5fs4WiAJtwqKe4Ylyp9hK9WpNkHl~PCD6oDJUV1cc~MQJqTs-ffVpyKqBgy3Lf5~QcDRiuGljKoJt07SdLC2G6apSt~44PyiuCqgaYGk9SdRK4~xK~WH7kNeAthsoNQjk4HV~hSRJoTGCZV7GQVX09szfA__&Expires=1756161697&Key-Pair-Id=K2ITB7O97XKKCX

    https://dlcdnta.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1851/ROG_MAXIMUS_Z890_EXTREME/DRV_MEI_Intel_Cons_ARL_TP_W11_64_V2433630_20241101R.zip?model=ROG%20STRIX%20Z890-E%20GAMING%20WIFI&Signature=qusICfWxatrCrpb6npMhva7CC-5EvsD0jFfJgq79wUiK4gc1ir3gn14uf-l9RrVFwe2Q-HcWjIwn~tMgMQwxbQmRTKdfe3XNU0siwrsPrZntpmuPhmMxamgjyWxfIEpTHvrcnbAcCUoZakDPtJLLCLnVDaWJuhVVduriaPksDwn~3QvM50fL~MsyikUpplfdLKc9iajOL2QB43KzdlSqDKDhhu26Hu6XR~SKMnfmHZdEBoOYcwFgY7pzX65PpXZ1Xy0cUmrqv2TnGYedNIhRwyXjtOPUnH8V2tzUpTB88PBrwkmNUk0sTPuSskgMgcCxLRRIkf5zsSXJGK7aPWh9IQ__&Expires=1756161740&Key-Pair-Id=K2ITB7O97XKKCX

    https://dlcdnta.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1851/M3973/Intel_Serial_IO_Driver_V30.100.2419.23_WIN11_64-bit.zip?model=ROG%20STRIX%20Z890-E%20GAMING%20WIFI&Signature=Gld0~t33ceLc8A9IAdu2sOlYqOfFiRz6489gbPMGICND55aDCLzmpDN8BIcG4ebHNNNl3Nt-oY7iwWqV0--TJqY5mVyfk7Zl7lTPeqtqVySwZh~SfaEVzQ8NLzCe5ylFFkVawJ3Gf6uvjUu-1mHF2wMBVA5DINBwFvtTSGbPMuD7cR2Exue9p-flvvFvPoWBD~MqaPX3cpKmCTn~4iaZ0zFyk68XaMlDHI0x5x4WU8MoiPC9pTth-UzK6q6c2TqjOyERWEe4D64DlrZPDDAkly-ShAuLFF0ARFtYoJWDhNFV4mrP6tmf9xAUXJxjmULMIeg~IoGXBxZNS4iWOcGHbw__&Expires=1756161766&Key-Pair-Id=K2ITB7O97XKKCX

    https://dlcdnta.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1851/M3973/Intel_DTT_V2.2.10200.11_WIN11_64-bit.zip?model=ROG%20STRIX%20Z890-E%20GAMING%20WIFI&Signature=bHGkBH1J07JBQo~NZn5TXPKPO~z2GagA~zjFpj~56PjC5YHLumyfsc7gD6UN8e5gv4iGiiTMj9kgNA2stDks3F0343iujQLHi9HghAZLSGA1OYEAZz6LcrNrsbYsCdGTHT4BzSRlm1vtrUZqrsAEBVkgdz8n4PPURllXZJkfbJCTp70lqRLkbbH1zObxeBxKhexkCkVzn05OGw9OcrJHNZLAZYeMzJmgmuygwMaSGiWIvqXkwEsUDpK6XvQBKd40NINdRTUzmGBZuhLPnS2DXfzr5oMhA6PL3ESSntXreJP4Az5hIcdl6XPsvTfuJFUkdA7qcHnYyfdCAHXKlKaClw__&Expires=1756161784&Key-Pair-Id=K2ITB7O97XKKCX

    https://dlcdnta.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/05SATA/DRV_RST_Intel_ARL_TP_W11_64_V20211016_20241204R.zip?model=ROG%20STRIX%20Z890-E%20GAMING%20WIFI&Signature=KpE~R8eM3AMSMWJS-0kHAW8uf2w6ljh19aycWASdNTNwWErgRmQyF3flUPKi1BwPMnVZcIxuUXEOHueBZe~Mzihs0snowonPsMNVb6Ij1hzO5VX5v8e~Xnr8KOynt20NRy1~fX3U--DJyEjkUwjC7NbKMRWf33sZbgsiqicvhQVmrQMU6hmr63vICi1wIxhtOP2tuxX1xYkfU4~UHih6wwcSrTx5g0Fs5gZtAVJXilGZArrEZVEj2GlIhLTcubpnbPRcRc~9xMFtK~lDF6aA2nCJL5JQA47mOZoYIQgREC5~ac8kmZ3V19DWrXfdSFjenqFDSYZCACRqnT0Wk-guFg__&Expires=1756161799&Key-Pair-Id=K2ITB7O97XKKCX

    Open the command prompt (admin) and run the commands: sfc /scannow and dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth, wait for the process to finish and restart the computer.

    Then perform a clean boot and if you want to uninstall applications that you do not use.

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-execute-a-simple-boot-start-in-windows-da2f9573-6eec-00ad-2f8a-a97a1807f3dd

    Here's how to resume BitLocker protection:

    Open the Control Panel.

    Select System and Security > BitLocker Drive Encryption > Resume Protection.

    Select Yes.

    Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

    Give feedback if the information was useful or not.

    Thanks

  4. Ivan Bitencourt 65,025 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-08-27T18:07:03.25+00:00

    Hii ,

    I understand, and I apologize for the problem. It appears that there are no longer direct links to your drivers from the Asus website. You can get the driver links I provided from the link for your motherboard below:

    https://rog.asus.com/br/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-z890-e-gaming-wifi/helpdesk_download/

    I'll be waiting for your response.

    Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

    Thanks

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