I have been suffering from this problem since way before the update from December 21st, see here:
https://forums.stardock.com/478760/page/1/#3644298
To help resolve this issue, on my C drive, at the base, I created a bat file called restart_explorer.bat
This is the contents of that file:
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe
Then I created a shortcut and put it on my quick bar. Whenever fences freezes, I just click this icon and it restarts explorer, which restarts fences.
As far as stopping the windows update services, you can easily do that without an additional program:
Windows Key + R, this opens the 'run' prompt.
Type in services.msc, this opens the 'services' window.
Scroll down through the list, find 'windows update', double click it.
Change the start up type to 'disabled', then stop the service.
Click Apply, then you're good, the service will be disabled.
Hope this helps.
