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MSNoob101's avatar
MSNoob101
Tin Contributor
Oct 03, 2026

file explorer not responding

Weird circumstance.

I download cinebench r23 rom the official maxon website. I ran the test remotely from my tablet(not sure if that might matter) via steam link(also official software) from an android tablet.

It was working fine, but during the test I changed the priority of the cinebench software to realtime. Normally I put it on high because realtime borks 2026 but I thought I'd try to see if it works the same way. After it messed up steamlink disconected and I tried to reconect with chrome remote desktop. Neither could show the system online. I go into the room with the computer and it's running but frozen.

I restart the system and find out that smart app has blocked cinebench 2023. The problem is I googled how to fix that, but file explorer now goes unresponsive whenever I try to do anything. It opens. But moving it or changing directories it becomes unresponsive with a white bar at the top instead of the normal grey(dark theme) showing (not responsive).

How do I get this working again? Has smart app also blocked file explorer? I've restarted the computer several times and it has not fixed it. Does anyone have any idea what is going one?

Application Management

4 Replies

  • MSNoob101's avatar
    MSNoob101
    Tin Contributor
    Oct 14, 2026

    It started happening again and I had to go into file explorer options and hit "clear". So far so good. But I won't be surprised if it comes back.

  • SelinaKnow's avatar
    SelinaKnow
    Iron Contributor
    Oct 09, 2026

    Setting Cinebench to Realtime priority is the most useful clue here. A realtime CPU-bound process can starve normal Windows components, including Explorer, input, remote-control software, and even parts of the desktop. That can look like Smart App Control blocked Explorer when the shell was actually waiting for processor time.

    Since Explorer recovered, I would not disable Smart App Control. Open Reliability Monitor and check the time of the freeze for an Explorer, Cinebench, display-driver, or Steam event. Then open Windows Security > App & browser control > Protection history and confirm exactly what was blocked. Remove the blocked Cinebench download and obtain a fresh copy only from Maxon's official page if you still need it.

    For another benchmark run, leave priority at Normal or, at most, High. If the shell hangs again after a normal-priority run, restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager and check the display driver and Event Viewer. Realtime priority is not appropriate for a benchmark running inside an interactive Windows session.

  • SynthiaHong's avatar
    SynthiaHong
    Brass Contributor
    Oct 04, 2026

    I’ve had File Explorer hang like this when the Windows Explorer process gets stuck. A quick restart of Windows Explorer from Task Manager is worth trying first. If it keeps happening, I’d also run sfc /scannow and check for any pending Windows updates.