Investigate: File Dialog Crashes Processing on Windows 11

[SableRaf]

[[Reserved for Mark Sherman's Class]]

Multiple (two at the time of writing) users have reported Processing immediately crashing and closing when attempting to open the file save/open dialog on Windows. The crash occurs as soon as the native Windows file chooser dialog attempts to open, even with completely blank sketches.

At least one user confirmed the issue started after installing a recent NVIDIA graphics driver update.

Turning off “Use native file chooser dialogs” seemingly fixed the issue for one affected user.

@Stefterv attempted to replicate the issue but without success.

This issue needs to be reproduced before it can be fixed.

See https://discord.com/channels/1076634729618624534/1229526727320146042/1469253434086654055

[Ebaron96]

Hi, I'd like to work on this issue! Could someone please assign me??

[Ebaron96]

File Dialog Crashes Processing on Windows 11 #1420

UNABLE TO RECREATE ISSUE

Contributor:

Elijah Baron (Ebaron96)

Testing Computer Specs:

OS: Windows 11 Professional

CPU: Ryzen 5 5600X

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 3060

RAM: GSKILL 3200 MHZ (8GB x 2)

Excluding: PSU/MOBO/COOLING - no relevance.

Initial Attempt:

Currently Installed Drivers:

Geforce Game Ready Driver / Version 581.80 - Released: Tue Nov 4, 2025

My Process:

• Installed the processing 4 application
• Ran the application
• Clicked the file drop down selected save
• Checked to see if the program crashed (NO CRASH)
• Repeated with the open button in the drop down
• Checked to see if the program crashed (NO CRASH)
• Opened a separate file explorer window, with processing open in the background
• Checked to see if the program crashed (NO CRASH)

Synopsis:

This is an old driver install, seeing as the issue states “one user had issues upon updating their GPU driver”. I am going to recreate the steps in an identical fashion. This version of the driver (581.80) has no issues with the current state of processing 4.5.2. Interaction with the processing menus specifically the dialog options, “save” and “open” are confirmed to be working as expected. I also attempted to open the windows file explorer app while in processing, this works as expected with no issues.

What Happened Between Attempts?

My Next Steps:

• Close Processing
• Open NVIDIA App
• Install newest NVIDIA drivers
• Reset the computer
• Run processing and attempt to use the “save” and “open” dialog options

Second Attempt:

Currently Installed Drivers:

Geforce Game Ready Driver / Version 591.86 - Released: Tue Jan 27, 2026

Issue Created: Feb 6, 2026

My Process:

• In order to restart, the computer required a windows system security update.
• Windows 11, Version 25H2 - Successfully installed on ‎2/‎10/‎2026
• The computer was restarted and given time to run any on start processes (Discord, Steam, NZXT CAM)
• Processing was opened
• Closed the welcome tab
• On a blank file
• File > open, works as normal not crashing
• File > save, works as normal not crashing
• In addition, opening a separate file explorer tab from the hot bar does not crash the program

Synopsis:

I am unable to recreate this issue and before I attempt anything further I need more information. Like, what drivers the users were on, windows updates, other programs interfering, etc.

[Ebaron96]

@catilac, I would vote for closing this issue due to the inability to reproduce and the numerous new updates. In addition there is a lack of new issue reports surrounding this topic since the updates.

[catilac]

@Ebaron96 thank you so much! that sounds good. if it comes up again we can revisit it!
@all-contributors please add @Ebaron96 for bug investigation

[allcontributors]

@catilac

I've put up a pull request to add @Ebaron96! 🎉