So.. I have a very weird bug in FSX SE.

 

Whenever I open a new window that pops up on the screen where windowed FSX is displayed (like Windows Explorer), FSX's picture freezes (I can't do anything with the camera etc.) but the simulation continues (I hear the noises) and there is sound!

Plus, I can still use my hotkeys for EZDOK and switch views while also hearing the corresponding inside/outside sounds....

 

What in the name of flightsimming god could be causing this?

 

EDIT: I can still get the Exit To Main Menu and Exit FSX screens but not the top-bar when holding ALT. It's like the simulation's picture just stopped solely.

Is pause on task switch enabled in the fsx menus, or maybe through fsuipc?

No it isn't... when I open windows on my other monitor it also doesn't freeze. Only when opening a window which pops OVER FSX it freezes the picture.

Sounds like you are running multi monitors? Are you running in windowed mode? If not, try that. Also, you may want to have FSX create a new fsx.cfg file by deleting the old one first.

Yes I am running multi monitors and windows mode. The problem just appeared out of nowhere. Only thing I added was ENB and SweetFX.

If you have your water slider at max setting, drop it a position or two. It sounds very similar to a known issue with nVidia drivers in P3D.

 Only thing I added was ENB and SweetFX.

 

Temporarily disable these and try again. I remember these causing issues with additional windows.

 

I think my work around was to have part of the additional window lay across both monitors. I ultimately gave up putting windows on other monitors as I prefer having SweetFX.

ENB and SweetFX are well-know for causing freezes/crashes and other anomalies.  Must be configured properly.  See AVSIM CTD Guide for more info on ENB and SweetFX.