Windows 10 explorer crashes when accessing network drive. Then…
14 votes, 10 comments.
Windows 10 explorer crashes when accessing network drive. Here's how to Fix File Explorer crashes or freezes while accessing Mapped Network Drives on Windows 11/10. Most of the time, we see unstable network connections, drive mapping errors, corrupted cache data, or incompatible third-party extensions causing the trouble. When not on the work LAN or a VPN, these drives are not only inaccessible, but any attempt to access them causes the computer to freeze up, sometimes irretrievably. This action clears the search history and the list of all files and folders that you have opened in File Explorer. When I double click on the drive it takes several seconds, and sometimes minutes, to show me the content, while the title bar of windows explorer shows ‘not responding’. A temporary fix that we have setup at the moment is to add a network location instead of a network drive as that seems to work. 0 shares on it and when people try to access them it freezes up the file explorer. Had this problem since 2018 I think, when I had Windows 10 and my old PC. You should also try this. When trying to access the drive by it's path (e. Here are some things you can try to fix File Explor May 11, 2024 · Hello, It's been many years now I have this problem with window explorer: randomly after boot i get red X on network drive and if I click on it, the window explorer freezes. Apr 7, 2022 · Whenever a work laptop is not connected to our office network or via VPN and there are mapped drives. Jun 16, 2021 · We have an old netapp which has a few SMB 1. \\machine-name\\share-name) or by mapping to a drive letter, Explorer immediately crashes. The network connection(s) to these locations are not l Jul 5, 2024 · In this scenario, both apps freeze. Jan 10, 2025 · In conclusion, the next time you find Windows Explorer freezing or crashing while accessing mapped network drives, refer back to this guide. 1 machine trying to access a shared folder on a Windows 10 machine. So an Mapped drive on windows freezing explorer when in use I have added my Nas as a network drive on my Windows 10 laptop. You can also try to clear the history of File Explorer. g. Sep 6, 2021 · Windows 8. Feb 4, 2023 · On a new work laptop with Windows 11, I mapped two network drives. The file system in windows, predates networking - and so when network drives were established they sit in a layer of the operating system, which means the PC is not really aware of a network drive being any different than a physical drive. Just take a few minutes to read on it. Through a systematic approach, you can identify and resolve the issue, allowing for a smoother, more efficient user experience. exe freezes completely along with other programs involved (vlc/winrar/7zip), although ssh-ing Sep 16, 2021 · We've been dealing with an issue involving File Explorer closing, seemingly randomly, when viewing mapped network drives and other SMB Shares. It is simply a Letter. Mar 31, 2021 · I could attach the network drive, I can move files, even watch movies over it, no problem. But when I try to assess some more demanding tasks, starting with opening programs, packing rar/7z files or giving it more than one task in general, my explorer. Sep 15, 2025 · File Explorer can stop responding when you try to access shared or mapped network drives, and there are a few reasons for this. Example of the crash report: … Feb 1, 2017 · Posts : 4 Windows 10 Enterprise 01 Feb 2017 #1 File Explorer crashes attempting file operations, on network drives Hi This is another FileExplorer crash post - however this one slightly different than others I could find, and the solutions for the others has not provided a solution either. The only fix I have found that works all the time is to delete the key in the registry reboot and remap, but I have to do it everyday for some. Sep 22, 2025 · Most of Windows 10 users are complaining about File explorer crashing problem. The machine just hangs/Crashes/etc and basically has a hissy fit, the only way to stop this is to connect to the network and everything is fine or force a reboot and connect to the network ASAP before it starts to crashing and becomes unusable. Now, here are some quick fixes to get rid of the problem. Then… 14 votes, 10 comments. Jan 26, 2017 · The issue that occurs is that the folder is accessed, and after that the explorer process crashes closing everything that relies on this process. Apps freezing when accessing Network Shares in Windows 11/10 If you’re faced with this issue of apps freeze when accessing a file on a network drive, you can . People affected with this problem when try to open a folder or drive, file explorer crashes abruptly. Oct 22, 2025 · We are going to tell you how to solve Windows 10 File Explorer Crash easily and quickly. May 27, 2025 · Despite improvements in Windows 11’s overall interface and usability, File Explorer suffers noticeable performance and reliability setbacks when accessing mapped network drives. trueYes - the file system and mapped drive, is quite an old fashioned way of accessing your files. Among the affected users, some have explained that the issue was fixed when they disabled the Thumbnail Preview in File Explorer. Jan 15, 2025 · Discusses an issue in which applications freeze when they try to access the same file on a network drive in Windows. ghu4lnvxwy71uwy9c8bcnz5aatbwioqqfqmcng7wooim7es