Windows Explorer acting up?

It's an odd problem I'm getting.
Sometimes (seemingly at random), Windows Explorer will start to act up. Opening up Windows Explorer from "My Computer," I get a blank screen and nothing seems to load. Thumbnails will not show up anywhere.

Logging off/on will fix the problem, as will restarting. I have no idea what is causing it.

It does appear to happen more often if I'm going through a folder with many files, especially if its set to display thumbnails instead of icons... although those aren't the only times this occurs.

 

buump 10chars

 

This is classic sign of a virus my friend. I suggest updating your antivirus software with the latest virus definitions. Run a Full virus scan. Update your windows with Windows Update and get the latest patches and hotfixes. But the best solution is to back your most important data and doing a format and reinstall of your windows!

 

Really? I've never run across a virus that exhibits those symptoms. I have run across similar issues with Vista where icons disappear, none of which were virus related.

To the OP: please give more information about your system. List the operating system, tweaks you've done, when this problem started, etc.

 

Have you installed any codecs/codec packs, preview handlers (including those that come with old Adobe software), shell extensions, image viewing software that may have hijacked your thumbnails?

Have you noticed this happening with specific file types? What tweaking software or maintenance software have you run, if any? Do you have automatic updates turned on?

There isn't much evidence pointing to malware at this point. I'm inclined to say that this is either a conflict with an Explorer extension that you have installed, or it is just one of those glitches associated with pre-release software. I've experienced a few graphical quirks myself.

 

only started when i upgraded to W7 (in-place upgrade)
it only seems to happen with a large amount of files or .jpgs (i'm not sure if it's the file type causing it or the number of files)

dont have any tweaking software, i had a patched uxtheme file before i upgraded, i'm assuming the upgrade will have wiped it

windows is updated, running NIS2010 beta

 

Ah, an in-place upgrade. I would start by uninstalling anything you don't need (or that can be reinstalled easily) - one at a time, then rebooting, and seeing if the problem still exists. I'd start with uxtheme, if it's still in the add/remove list.

 

I was getting a similar issue as well but eventually reformatted and installed a newer build of Windows 7. Not sure why it was happening as I had no spyware/adware/viruses whatsoever. Guess these "bugs" just appear out of no where at times.

 

I had this problem permanently; whenever I clicked 'Computer' explorer would hang.
Looking in the event viewer I had some errors indicating a mobile device might be the problem.

I disabled the Mobile device services (both of them) and voila 'Computer' was working again. I guess I'll have to try and reinstall the Mobile device centre. If you've got a it installed it might be the same problem for you.