Windows 11 is the latest version of Microsoft's widely-used Windows operating system, offering a sleek and modern user experience. But as with other newer OS, Windows 11 2022 Update (Windows 11, version 22H2 ) has its fair share of bugs and known issues. Users have reported crashes and freezes with remote desktops, taskbar, Office 365, and application updates.
According to Microsoft, the Windows Remote Desktop application might freeze when connecting via a Remote Desktop Connection Broker or Remote Desktop gateway. This known issue mostly affects enterprises because of the connection process. Home users won't likely run into problems while using the application as it uses a different connection process than enterprise devices. Microsoft is currently working on a solution and will provide further details about the issue in a future update.
At the moment, Windows 11 Version 22H2 users may encounter issues during the "Configuring remote connection" or "Loading virtual machine" phases when trying to connect to a virtual machine. In other cases, the RDP may fail to respond or send an error message indicating that the connection has ended. However, Microsoft says this happens irrespective of the version of Windows one tries to connect to.
As a user, you may be wondering what you can do if your computer is freezing with Windows 11. Fortunately, this problem has a few workarounds, which we'll cover in this article.
Workarounds to these Common Problems
Until Microsoft fixes the current known issues, some workarounds can help improve your experience with Windows 11. Here's what you can do if a program on Windows 11 locks up or if the entire OS freezes. Note that these are quick fixes and won't solve the underlying issue causing the freezing problem.
Terminate the Remote Desktop Using Windows Task Manager
If an app on your Windows device freezes, you can launch the Task Manager to try and force close it. To do this:
- Press Ctrl + Alt + Del on your keyboard
- Select Task Manager
If the app is frozen, it won't appear on the list of active processes, so you'll have to:
- Select the Processes tab on the left side menu and manually search for mstsc.exe
- When you find it, right-click and select End Task to force close it
According to Microsoft, devices that run into these issues can address them by configuring a special Group Policy.
Enable the Turn Off UDP On Client Policy
This workaround involves disabling UDP on the client device, which can be done via the policy editor.
- If using managed devices - like those used in organizations and enterprises, open the Group Policy Management Console and edit or create a policy that targets your clients
- If you're using unmanaged devices - like those used by individuals at home, click the Start Menu and search group policy to open the Group Policy Editor. Then click Edit group policy from the results
- On the right-side panel, click Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Connection Client
- On the left-side panel, enable the Turn Off UDP On Client by double-clicking the policy setting
- Click OK and restart your device to save changes
Microsoft offered this workaround for those who experience freezing issues. However, it warns that the workaround can affect the performance of the Remote Desktop over WAN, so you'll need to change the settings back to the original one as soon as Microsoft resolves the issue.
Other Common Fixes to Try
Restart Device Manager for Frozen OS
Restarting the Device Manager is usually the best course of action if your computer freezes completely and you can't even launch the Task Manager. To do this, press Ctrl + Alt + Del again and select Power Options. Then, choose Restart, and the Device Manager will restart.
Adjust Virtual Memory
Applications often slow down and become unresponsive when the virtual memory is depleted. And because of how the new Windows does memory management, some of these freezes can lead to a Black Screen of Death (BSOD) that restarts your computer forcefully.
To adjust virtual memory:
- Go to System Properties
- Choose Advanced system settings
- Click the Settings button under Performance
- Select the Advanced tab, and then click Change in the Virtual Memory section
From there, you can specify a larger minimum and maximum of RAM (virtual memory), so your system won't slow down or freeze when running multiple applications.
Update Outdated GPU Drivers
In some cases, the freezing issue can be caused by outdated GPU drivers. To update them, manually download and install the latest available drivers for your dedicated graphics card. Follow these steps to ensure your GPU drivers are compatible with Windows 11:
- Click Windows key + R
- In the dialog box, type 'devmgmt.msc'
- Press Enter to open up Device Manager and grant access
- Browse the list of installed devices and click the drop-down menu associated with Display Adapters
- Right-click on your dedicated GPU and select Update Driver from the context menu
- Press Search Automatically for updated driver software and allow to scan
- Follow the on-screen prompts to install drivers
- Then reboot to see if the freezing issue has been resolved
Force a Shutdown of your Windows PC
When all else fails, you can force a shutdown for your Windows PC by pressing and holding the power button for 5 seconds. This will completely shut down your system and force it to reboot. Be sure to do this sparingly, as it can damage the components of your device.
Change Screen Resolution
Improper screen resolution settings can also cause your computer to freeze. For example, you might experience freezes or crashes if you force a 4k resolution on a capable display using a low-end GPU. To fix this:
- Right-click on the Start icon > Settings > System > Display > Scale & Layout
- Adjust the Display Resolution to a lower value than the one you're currently using
- Click on Keep changes to make the resolution change permanent
Clear Temporary Files
Another common cause of freezing issues is temporary files that accumulate on your system over time. Some of these files can be corrupted and cause freezing problems. To clear these files:
- Open your Windows Settings > System > Storage submenu > Temporary Files
- Select all the temporary files and click Remove Files
- Restart your system
This should clear temporary files from your system and help fix any freezing issues you may be experiencing.
Run an SFC Scan
If neither of the above solutions works, try running an SFC scan. SFC stands for "System File Checker," and it will identify any corrupted system files on your device. To do this:
- Click Start
- Type cmd in the search box
- Right-click on Command Prompt
- Run as Administrator
- Type SFC /scannow
- Press Enter and wait for the scan to be completed
If any corrupted system files are detected, the SFC scan will repair them automatically, and your freezing issues should be fixed.
Reset Windows 11 to the Factory Defaults
If all else fails, you can reset PC to the factory defaults. This will completely erase your installed programs and user data, but it's an effective way of fixing any underlying issues that may be causing freezing problems.
To do this:
- Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security
- Click on Recovery, then Reset this PC
- Choose Keep My Files to save your data
Windows 11 will then reset itself, erasing all installed programs and user data. This should fix any freezing issues you may have been experiencing.
My Choice Software Support Database
No matter what issue you're running into with Windows 11, the experts at My Choice Software can help. Our comprehensive Microsoft support database is designed to help you troubleshoot any issues you may encounter with your Windows 11 device. We offer 24/7 customer service, so don't hesitate to reach out if you need assistance. Our team of experts can help walk you through the steps needed to fix any freezing issue and get your computer back up and running in no time.
For more information, visit the My Choice Software support page today! We're here to help make your Windows 11 experience a great one.
