Forum Discussion
File Explorer is broken after July 2026 Update
Dear Jamony, thank you so much.
I checked the event logs, and I realized the error is related to "widget.exe". I tried to disable widgets by group-policy which didn't help.
Today I got another update and applied that, but hopefully error log changed to notepad++ context dll.
I just disabled notepad++ context integration and now the bug is no more producible.
Thanks.
You’re seeing Explorer freeze and restart when selecting images, right-clicking files, or opening ZIPs, and disabling Preview made no difference. Microsoft’s current Windows 11 release-health pages do not list this pattern, so the July update’s timing is a clue, not proof. Those actions may also invoke third-party Explorer integrations.
First reproduce once, then inspect Reliability Monitor (perfmon /rel) and Event Viewer > Windows Logs > Application for the explorer.exe failure and faulting module. Test Safe Mode; if stable, perform a clean boot. Use Microsoft Sysinternals Autoruns’ Explorer tab, hide Microsoft entries, and temporarily disable third-party extensions, re-enabling them in halves. Then run elevated DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth, followed by sfc /scannow.
Record the exact KB/build. Only after backup and those tests, temporarily uninstall that quality update; some updates cannot be removed and removal reduces security. Submit Feedback Hub feedback with “Recreate my problem” diagnostics and the KB/build.
Everything working great, visual icons of JPGs in file explorer today.
Saw there was a windows update in the middle of working and figured, I'll take a break and let the Update process itself.
Came back, everything OriginalPoster noted is taking place.
File explorer sluggish, right clicking files the pop-up has half the listed line items just blank with spinning icon on them. My thumbnails of jpgs are blank-paper icons.
Rebooted multiple times. Turned thumbnails on and off a few times. Changed to Lists instead of thumbnails a few times. No changes.
For me it was notepad++ context menu dll file. You may just produce the bug, and then check out the windows log to see what was the actual root of error.
It was widget.exe first, then after an update notepad++. I just disabled the notepad++ context menu integration, and everything is fine now.
Dear Jamony, thank you so much.
I checked the event logs, and I realized the error is related to "widget.exe". I tried to disable widgets by group-policy which didn't help.
Today I got another update and applied that, but hopefully error log changed to notepad++ context dll.
I just disabled notepad++ context integration and now the bug is no more producible.
Thanks.
