Agent Ransack hangs when searching for SolidWorks files

Question

I'm running the free version of Agent Ransack 2010 Release Build 762 - 2010.03.29.47911 under Windows 7 (32 bit) in a PC with 4 G RAM, two cores.

Everything works fine except when the results include SolidWorks files, which then causes Agent Ransack to hang.

Answer 1

I've found a workaround. The same bug started preventing me from checking items out in SVN V1.7. The fix (for me at least) is to download ShellExView and disable all the SolidWorks icons; see https://forum.solidworks.com/thread/4895

Answer 2

In the link provided there was a post containing the images I reused in the post. The suggested task fixed the AngentRansack and FileLocator Lite problems when searching through locations that contained SolidWorks files.

It is working on my machine (Windows 7 64-bit, SW2011sp0). I make no claim that it will work in all instances. Attempt at your own risk.

Download ShellExView, available at either

CNET:
http://download.cnet.com/ShellExView/3000-2094_4-145729.html

Nirsoft:
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shexview.html

Install, then run it. The reference post suggested selecting all 7 items listed below, but I found satisfactory results from selecting only the top 3. Once selected use the red button near the top left and disable. Close out of ShellExView. I recommend restarting, but I don't think it is necessary. Close any open instances of AR or FLL then open a new instance. Test by searching in a directory that will return Solidworks files.

• SLDASMIcons Class
• SLDDEWIcons Class
• SLDPRTIcons Class
• SldShellExtension Class
• Solidworks Document Thumbnail Handler
• SolidWorks file Info Tips Class
• SolidWorks file Preview Class

It will remove all the icons from SolidWorks, but it will stop the Agent Ransack or FileLocator Lite from freezing when the search results include any files affected by this change.