Windows Explorer freezes when Saving As PDF
- Fresh install of Windows 10 Pro. Fully up-to date (as of Feb. 27, 2026). DXdiag attached.
- Illustrator 30.2.1 (64-bit) ** Only Illustrator and Photoshop installed (via Creative Cloud application)
- Open AI file
- Save as.. PDF
- Choose a PDF option, click Save
- Click Windows Start Menu icon (or any other icon on the task bar) - Windows task bar (explorer.exe) will be unresponsive
- To remedy, Ctrl-Alt-Del and open Task Manager -> Right-click Windows Explorer -> Restart
I literally have to do this every time I start Illustrator. It then seemingly stay stable for awhile, but then will randomly lock up Windows Explorer again after working for awhile. It seems to most often happen when using the Type tool, and clicking on other parts of the Workspace.
This is infuriating, and has caused me to entirely reinstall the Operating System to try to find a remedy. Nothing has worked.
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