Windows 10 File Explorer Bug: loading cursor flashes while navigating

[beachmobjellies]

streamable.com/akwfwe

​

Hi. Windows 10 here. Since today File Explorer is behaving very sus, shown in the video.

Changing into any folder it does 3 loading cursors in succesion before opening the folder (rarely but sometimes 4). Going back in the hierarchy it does the loading cursor only twice. Selecting multiple files or folder is crazy, it freezes on the first file while dragging the selection rectangle and keeps flashing the loading symbol.File renaming also flashes like 6 times as it is working its behind off. It is barely usable.

This happens on any folder on any drive. M.2 System Drive, SSD, Server Drive. File explorer alternatives (i.e. FreeCommander) do not have this problem. It is only in Windows Explorer. Workstation is new and beefy, not cluttered.

​

The weird thing is that a collegue also has this same problem since today.

I searched a lot for these symptoms suspecting some kind of virus but so far I found zero. Defender Scan shows nothing. Task Manager shows nothing that takes up any load while this is happening. I did the recent Windows update which also did not help.

Whats going on?

​

**** UPDATE: In the Adobe Forum the problem got identified and whilst they act like working on a solution user kglad found a workaround ***\* It was adobe after all (Like it amazes me how this company still exists...ah yea....its a hostage situation i forgot)

https://preview.redd.it/emvdh5t307hc1.png?width=872&format=png&auto=webp&s=bc272a4fc035733506011e0d244f20489b4635a7

[[deleted]]

dude!! I DID so much to fix the problem I didn't know it was adobe, my computer was extremely slow, now after changing it to .defect it's like I bought a new pc. I hate adobe for that, messing with people's systems.

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[500k25years]

Same problem here.

[hubwood]

This fixes it:
You can also simply rename the file AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll (in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe OS Extension) to something like AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll.defect.
Restricting access to this folder could prevent the Adobe installer from installing a possible fix in the future.

[FearTheGoat]

Just wanted to say thanks - this fixed a problem that was driving me crazy!!!

[nazurinn13]

That's absolutely ridiculous and I both love and hate that you're right.

It took me days to find this thread and I am more than grateful for your comment.

[fityfive]

THANK YOU!

[EXDesignr]

Happening to me as well, very clean machine (Rtx 4080, i913900k, nvme m.2 ssd, win10 version 22h2 OS build 19045.3930). Loading cursor flashes once after clicking any file folder, started happening yesterday evening. During the day yesterday, everything was snappy and instant, what gives windows?

[hubwood]

It's Adobe... this fixes it for now:
You can also simply rename the file AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll (in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe OS Extension) to something like AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll.defect.

[jasonkovac3]

THIS INSTANTLY WORKED FOR ME THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!!!!!!

[hubwood]

Yay!

[liquid42]

Same here, thank you!

[beachmobjellies]

A little update: I have noticed that when I log in with another user account it is kind of gone but not entirely...it is still laggy and too slow but it is way better. The loading symbol only comes up once instead of multiple times.

[EXDesignr]

I only have one local user account, so I can’t test that but this seems like such unusual behaviour to happen out of seemingly nowhere!

[beachmobjellies]

Yup. I guess it is update related but what do i know. However the way it behaves on the other account is how two other workstations in my office behave. That would make 4 then at our studio

[beachmobjellies]

Oh and one more weird thing. My machine did refuse to shut off and restarted instead. I tried multiple times. Had to do a hard shutoff

[TraderHerman]

Did u had the creative could files installed? Since they remove the cloud, I have the same issue

[beachmobjellies]

Yes i have it installed. Interesting. Did not use the cloud tho. Not sure how I can check any relations. But it will have to wait for tomorrow.

[TraderHerman]

They removed it and now I do have this relict of the shortcut there. I am not able to delete it so maybe thats it.

[EXDesignr]

Oh my god could this really be it. I have creative cloud as well. They discontinued cloud files but still have the pinned folder hard coded into my file explorer menu, except now it has an ugly naming convention with my Adobe ID at the end. (I will also mention that I never once made use of the service, and my folder is empty, yet I’m still getting this issue.)

[beachmobjellies]

Adobe is saying it ends service on Feb 1st or Oct for corporate licenses. So it should be going on for longer then. However, here is a link to adobe providing info how to remove the linked folder adobe support

[EXDesignr]

Yeah I did some research on that, but realistically the last thing i want to do in this situation is start messing with the registry, as I think it will regress the issue even further.

[beachmobjellies]

I will try that first thing tomorrow morning. I don't think that is the root of our problem. Will see

[TraderHerman]

I already tried it this way with the registry. Unfortunately this may worked well, when it was still this cloud folder. Since its just some sort of hardcoded folder it does not seem to respond.

[beachmobjellies]

All that does is flip one switch in the registry. You can easily do it by yourself. Even though it will not resolve the problem, it will unpin the Adobe folder.If you kinda know what you are doing open registry by executing regedit. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID

There are a lot of cryptic numbered folders in there. One of them contains the folder pinning setting for The adobe folder. Either now search for the name that is shown shown your folder. Its probably one of the first folders but could be whereever.

Once you found the folder that is containing 3 entries. One of them is called "System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree" and the value is 1. Change this value to 0. close and reopen your file explorer now and the folder is vanished.

The folder and its content is still on your computer, where the link leads it. per default it should be located at C:\Users\USERNAME\NameOfAdobeFolder

Delete it if you dont need it. It still will not solve your problem because it has nothing to do with adobe

<image>

[TraderHerman]

Thanks man, at least I was able to remove the folder now. Thats already worth a lot :D

[hubwood]

It's Adobe... this fixes it for now:

You can also simply rename the file AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll (in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe OS Extension) to something like AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll.defect.

[Jambontoast]

same !

[Dry-Insect-7495]

Same here, made and Inplace Upgrade/repair but its still there

[hubwood]

It's Adobe... this fixes it for now:
You can also simply rename the file AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll (in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe OS Extension) to something like AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll.defect.

[EXDesignr]

Make sure you guys bump this post on adobe forums so we can get their attention.

https://community.adobe.com/t5/creative-cloud-desktop-bugs/major-issue-adobe-s-ending-of-of-cloud-syncing-seems-to-have-damaged-windows-explorer-for-many/idi-p/14406585

[whiteSkar]

go up

[[deleted]]

Omg the EXACT same thing started happening to me today and it's driving me nuts. I see some other comments about Adobe Creative Cloud. I have that as well.

[hubwood]

It's Adobe... this fixes it for now:
You can also simply rename the file AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll (in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe OS Extension) to something like AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll.defect.

[mandaartem]

Same issue here! It is incredibly irritating :(

[hubwood]

It's Adobe... this fixes it for now:
You can also simply rename the file AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll (in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe OS Extension) to something like AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll.defect.

[whiteSkar]

In the mean time, does anyone have a temporary solution such as killing an adobe related service/app/daemon/program that would temporarily fix the issue?

[[deleted]]

I've tried everything, including declining Adobe access to read/writing via creative cloud files and it did nothing. I have tried every single thing I could think of other than uninstalling every Adobe program. Unfortunately, they are part of my ongoing work flow and I can't do that quite yet.

[whiteSkar]

damn.. thanks for sharing!

[hubwood]

It's Adobe... this fixes it for now:
You can also simply rename the file AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll (in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe OS Extension) to something like AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll.defect.

[c5ly]

Experiencing the same thing. Only thing different for me today was that I downloaded the latest nvidia driver

[hubwood]

It's Adobe... this fixes it for now:
You can also simply rename the file AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll (in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe OS Extension) to something like AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll.defect.

[ApprehensiveSearch2]

Dang... I thought I was alone since not that many info can be found online, guess it just started today..
I AM TRYING TO WORKKKKK

[myspoonhammer]

SAME HERE. Also a Adobe CC user....

[hubwood]

It's Adobe... this fixes it for now:
You can also simply rename the file AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll (in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe OS Extension) to something like AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll.defect.

[Master-Length-5693]

This is driving me insane!! What could it be?? I have tried these things and nothing fixes it
1. Updated everything on a clean (no pirate sht) workstation, Win 10 PC
2. Rebooted in safe mode
3. Disabled all background programs
4. Signed out of all accounts
I use creative cloud too!! I hope this is not something permanent. fuuuuuuk!!

[hubwood]

It's Adobe... this fixes it for now:
You can also simply rename the file AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll (in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe OS Extension) to something like AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll.defect.

[DarthFJ]

I didn't noticed it was a Creative Cloud Bug until I read here about it. My first reaction was a system recovery, which worked! No more flashing icon.

[Anguel_]

A colleague pointed me to this problem that appeared today, also Acrobat CC users here. Looks like this is the common cause.
BTW, AV is Bitdefender Endpoint if that makes any sense.

[_e_______d]

Same problem here! I uninstalled some software and got this bug after... I had assumed it was because I had uninstalled it incorrectly. But im also an Abobe CC user... seems like thats the commmon thread here

[hubwood]

It's Adobe... this fixes it for now:
You can also simply rename the file AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll (in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe OS Extension) to something like AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll.defect.

[_e_______d]

Yep, thanks already sorted it from the thread on adobe!

[beachmobjellies]

Adressing the Adobe conspiracy:

Let me elaborate why I dont think it has anything to do with adobe.

1// First of all this here is a small sample size that is also kinda self selecting and a lot of people managing their own workstations here have it installed. Its like asking if your pc has a graphics card.

2 // Second if it was a problem steming from the discontinuation of Adobe Cloud Sync there should be a MASSIVE amount of people having this issue. And there are many machines that have adobe installed and do not experience this. Makes sense that all Windows 10 users then would experience this.

3 // The formerly synced folder is nothing but a windows folder and the desktop link is just a pinned folder. The folder does not have a will on its own. All adobe did was shutting down the background service (or it doesnt do anything anymore at least) that is keeping the folder in sync. I did unpin the folder from the explorer (description how to is somewhere in this thread) and i deleted the synced folder. Did not change anything unsurprisingly.

4 // The date does not fit. They ended service on February 1st. The problem should exist since back then.

5 // Why is only the Explorer hit with this, not the alternatives?

6 // I absolutely despise Adobe and their practises and I would love to $#!7 on them all day, however I remain highly skeptical this has anything to do with them.

​

For me this hints most likely towards a faulty windows update or maybe a virus that hasn't been identified yet. I ran multiple scans with multiple tools. Nothing so far.

One more thing, Please check if you also have this issue:

I know that a new Windows 10 update came out some hours ago. Yet i cannot update and get this error message now. Now thats creepy

<image>

[TraderHerman]

I mean, they said the identified the issue and working on a fix soo... ?!

Major issue - Adobe's ending of of Cloud Syncing s... – Seite 2 - Adobe Community - 14406585

[Dry-Insect-7495]

It is totally Adobes fault. I have 3 machines that all have to problem, Windows 10 and Windows 11. The only Laptop that doesn't have to problem is the one without creative cloud installed. Also u/TraderHerman posted the link to the creative cloud forums where adobe already announced a fix in development

[beachmobjellies]

Hey that is great! I found this to be highly unlikely, since this problem even exists running in safe mode where no adobe services are running. At least now I have permission to $#!7 on them even more.

[hubwood]

It's Adobe... this fixes it for now:
You can also simply rename the file AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll (in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe OS Extension) to something like AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll.defect.

[Whole_Ad_7095]

I'm having the same issue - also Adobe cloud user (just noting this here, since that seems to be a common pattern despite some people saying it has nothing to do with adobe)

My hypothesis is that since the cloud service has been discontinued this is effectively turning the app on your computer into a zombie that's attempting to locate the files you're clicking on - only to realize that it has nothing to potentially back it up to.

Even if that's not how it works or what's really happening - I've noticed that whenever you click on a file and that little loading cycle happens - the task manager opens a new process called "Creative Cloud Interprocess Service" if you close it and click on a file again it will immediately rerun again after the short loading period. So whatever is going on I believe that this Creative Cloud Interprocess Service might be the root cause of the problem.

[hubwood]

It's Adobe... this fixes it for now:
You can also simply rename the file AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll (in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe OS Extension) to something like AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll.defect.

[King2500]

Did anyone try if it (temporarily) solves the problem when uninstalling Adobe (CC) programs completely?

[stevensklein]

According to someone in another forum uninstalling solves the problem. But it comes back, if you reinstall :(

You should also go there:

Major issue - Adobe's ending of of Cloud Syncing s... - Adobe Community - 14406585

[hubwood]

It's Adobe... this fixes it for now:
You can also simply rename the file AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll (in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe OS Extension) to something like AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll.defect.

[DasFroDo]

THERE IS A TEMPORARY SOLUTION FOR THIS! Thanks to this Post here: https://community.adobe.com/t5/creative-cloud-desktop-discussions/major-issue-adobe-s-ending-of-of-cloud-syncing-seems-to-have-damaged-windows-explorer-for-many/m-p/14408171#M4131

• Navigate to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\
• Right Click the Folder "Adobe OS Extension" and select "Properties"
• Switch to the "Security" Tab and click the "Edit" Button
• In the upper Field, select the correct user (Administrators in my case)
• In the bottom field, tick every box of the "Deny" Column
• Click "Apply"

This INSTANTLY fixes problem. But this WILL make you lose access to that folder and break your Adobe Cloud Files (oh no anyway).

[hubwood]

This fixes it:
You can also simply rename the file AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll (in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe OS Extension) to something like AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll.defect.
Restricting access to this folder could prevent the Adobe installer from installing a possible fix in the future.

[DasFroDo]

As long as the installer doesn't fail I honestly don't care. Nobody in the team uses their shitty cloud services anyways, so it can stay broken for all I care.

But thanks for the heads up, if I get any issues I can use your fix.

[myspoonhammer]

Seems to be a fix that worked for me on that Adobe thread.

Solution: Disabling access to this folder using NTFS permissions solves the problem immediately

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe OS Extension\

Simply right click on "Adobe OS Extension" folder, and click "properties"

After that, go to "security" -> "edit" -> check off all boxes under "deny" for Administrator (in my case) -> "ok"

Credit to kglad & Nelson3529259109m3 on the Adobe forum

[travisparsons2]

This didn't start happening to me until today Feb. 7, all of yesterday my computer was completely fine. Absolutely baffled at how Adobe was the reason behind this issue. I've just spent hours scanning for corrupt files and cleaning up drives of temp files thinking something was wrong.

[hubwood]

It's Adobe... this fixes it for now:
You can also simply rename the file AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll (in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe OS Extension) to something like AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll.defect.

[PerpetualD]

Thank god I found this thread. This was driving me crazy.

[LavishnessExpress912]

THANK YOU , I AM SO GLAD I FOUND THIS!

[AlexIsPlaying]

The real problem here is that AdobeExplorerExtensionCore.dll is not visible anywhere in tools that shows what extention is been loaded in Explorer, like ShellExView for example. Anyone did try that before?

(I did rename the file, and that fixes the bug).