Right Click on desktop causing Explorer.exe crash!!!

I have been experiencing this issue since I did a custom clean install of Windows 7 Pro 64. My first thought was a driver issue, as my previous version of Windows was Vista 32. It seemed that explorer would stop responding at random times when I would right click on the desktop or a desktop icon.
After a bunch of research I have resolved the issue on my computer. I know many of you don't believe that it is a FireFox issue, but I changed some settings on version 3.5 and haven't had any more issues. My solution is to turn off private browsing in FireFox, which seems to be turned on automatically when you install it. Here's a link on how to turn it off.
Private Browsing

It seems to simple of a solution but I have been crash free since. I can't explain why.

I am having this problem too. I did a clean install of Window 7 (64 bit home) from the student deal download. I previously had Vista 64 bit. The program installed perfectly and I had no issue. However, from the first time it started up I was thrown into the windows explorer crash use. In addition, it doesn't recognize my broadband internet connection. The crash now happens any time I open a file/folder. I can use application etc., but as soon as my computer touches windows explorer it loops and I can't do anything. I called Microsoft tech support... totally useless.

My computer works perfectly in safe mode, no issue whatsoever, even the internet connection works. IN addition, my laptop is fairly new and exceeds the compatability requirements.

I have tried disabling non-microsoft shell extensions, uninstalled a ton of applications and un/reinstalled Microsoft 7 but still have the same issue. I have absolutely no idea where this problem could be coming from, as it must not be a default issue or a compatability issue.

Seeing as SO many people are having this issue you think Microsoft would figure this out. I refuse to spend $200 to have it professionally looked at.

Laurabelle:
I haven't fixed my issue yet...I am using Firefox but I have not been using Private Browsing. So, the Firefox thingy won't work for me. However this suggestion I am proposing hasn't worked for me either but it might for you. At the Run command under programs, type MSCONFIG. Under startup, remove all the NON Microsoft item check marks. Reboot. If Explorer works then, leave MSCONFIG as you have modified it. If it doesn't help, you can always go back and recheck all the programs you think you want to start at startup. I have found there aren't many I really need running at startup.

If you are really adventuresome, you might start in safe mode, select control panel,component services, services local and see which services are running or automatic. Then restart Windows 7 in standard mode and check this list of running services against the safe mode list. Since you can start Explorer in the safe mode, you should find a clue here as to the trouble maker. I am still checking this out myself, have disabled some items and the problem doesn't occur as frequently as before. Now if I can just eliminate it entirely.......

Ive updated to Fx 3.5.5 and not using Private Browsing mode and tried to click right button a lots that seem working find so think its the Private Browsing that caused Explorer.exe crashing so switch it off that would be ok so dont use this mode cos I think Windows Vista and 7 may have included the private mode in OS system as XP dont have one, anyway it worked fine as I spend over an hour and it prefect working.

Lucky098 said:

Ive updated to Fx 3.5.5 and not using Private Browsing mode and tried to click right button a lots that seem working find so think its the Private Browsing that caused Explorer.exe crashing so switch it off that would be ok so dont use this mode cos I think Windows Vista and 7 may have included the private mode in OS system as XP dont have one, anyway it worked fine as I spend over an hour and it prefect working.

Sometimes this problem doesn't happen for a day, I don't think a few hours is deemed worthy of saying you're cleared.

I have Firefox 3.5.5 installed and Private Browsing is not on by default.

It worked fine on my PC -- Ive deleted one line in registry editor as well... I spend more than an hours - no crashing.

Thought Id share my experience.

Installed Win7 32 two weeks ago. All was well until last night. Was setting up foobar when I started getting access denied errors for no apparent reason. (maybe something to do with WinXP compatability mode which I set for foobar2000.exe) Anyway - rebooted and access denied errors went away - BUT right clicking on files/folders (not URL shortcuts though for some reason) caused explorer to hang and then Id have to kill it. Did suggeted things with ShellExView and msconfig as suggested in other threads but no effect. Messed around with UAC to no avail.

Looked into the event viewer. Did not seem to identify an offending .exe or .dll - just said "explorer crashed unexpectedly" - fairly generic message. BUT looking onto one of the tabs of the error there was machine code with characters xlated on the right. They said "cross threading deadlock". So I guess theres some conflict of processes going on.

Thought it was the virus scanner but testing demonstrated it wasnt.

Rebooted a few times and the problem seems better but not fixed. Now, the FIRST right click on a folder/file does not work (before it would go on indefinitely) - but after explorer restarts the problem is gone (it seems).

Havent tried any suggestions in this thread - will do so tonight. But thought Id share this info in case it sparks a resolution and would be interested in hearing of similar experiences.

Ive deleted on of the line in SQM Client in the registry editor and then seem it working fine - maybe it depend on users own PC hardware or software spec. Some were fixed the problems by Firefox 3.5 uncheck private browsing mode but others are different ways to fix it.

I also think it depends on the hardware, my friend also install a clean version of Windows 7 Pro on his PC, his PC is... better than mine (specs) and he has not had the explorer crash problem. The SQM reg deleting solution is still working for me.

The only advice I can give is hold it out and wait till Microsoft release a update

Here's what my Explorer.DMP file said while windows explorer was not responding.
If anyone can read .DMP files better than I can, go for it.
I can upload my explorer.zip file if that is more useful.
If this has already been done in another thread, my apologies.

Microsoft (R) Windows Debugger Version 6.11.0001.404 AMD64
Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Loading Dump File [C:\Users\explorer.DMP]
User Mini Dump File with Full Memory: Only application data is available


Symbol search path is: *** Invalid ***
****************************************************************************
* Symbol loading may be unreliable without a symbol search path. *
* Use .symfix to have the debugger choose a symbol path. *
* After setting your symbol path, use .reload to refresh symbol locations. *
****************************************************************************
Executable search path is:
Windows 7 Version 7600 MP (2 procs) Free x64
Product: WinNt, suite: SingleUserTS Personal
Machine Name:
Debug session time: Thu Nov 19 17:46:49.000 2009 (GMT-7)
System Uptime: 0 days 0:17:46.385
Process Uptime: 0 days 0:17:18.000
................................................................
................................................................
..................................
Loading unloaded module list
........................
*** ERROR: Symbol file could not be found. Defaulted to export symbols for user32.dll -
user32!IsDialogMessageW+0x20a:
00000000`76c7a08a c3 ret