explorer.exe has stopped working, ntdll.dll causes it

Does it happen every tim you open explorer? Or only on some folders, like folders with images in them?

Explorer is prone to this kind of error (THOUGH IT SHOULD NOT BE!) when third party codecs are installed (if the codec is buggy). A /completley/ clean install of 7 should not do this, but installing some codec packs might as explorer tries to use the codec to "preview" the image or movie for icon mode or for the details or preview panes.

fseal said:

Does it happen every tim you open explorer? Or only on some folders, like folders with images in them?

Explorer is prone to this kind of error (THOUGH IT SHOULD NOT BE!) when third party codecs are installed (if the codec is buggy). A /completley/ clean install of 7 should not do this, but installing some codec packs might as explorer tries to use the codec to "preview" the image or movie for icon mode or for the details or preview panes.

Okey, I'm trying to delete some unneeded codecs if this problem still goes on. I just googled some "fixes", but I think those doesn't work. Going for the codecs next.

I recently went through the process with someone else for a slightly different problem caused by a codec.

In order to isolate if it is codec related and for what file. Turn off the details pane and the preview pane if showing. Create a folder and put one file in it at a time. (May have to use the command line or some other file utility if explorer keep craching) till you find out what file or file type is causing it.

Once you know what file type is causing it, a fix is possible without reinstalling.

Most of the info is in this thread:
WMA can't play .3gp and .avi

If it doesn't seem to be related to any specific file type or maybe a group of types then it may NOT be codec related...

fseal said:

If it doesn't seem to be related to any specific file type or maybe a group of types then it may NOT be codec related...

Well I don't know, maybe it is or maybe not... it just happens randomly for me when I've used my computer for several hours... I did the Clean Boot trick and some other stuff (http://www.blogsdna.com/2137/fix-win...-windows-7.htm) and now I'm waiting for the results.

* Solved *

NO errors for 24 hours and seems to be working now!!! I did all of these methods, but it looks like the method 3 did the magic for me.

Method 1:

Perform a clean boot.
Note: If the computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may prevent you from following these steps. It is strongly recommend that you do not use the System Configuration utility to modify the advanced boot options on the computer unless a Microsoft support engineer directs you to do this. Doing this may make the computer unusable. 1. Log on to the computer by using an account that has administrator rights.
2. Click Start, type "msconfig" in the Start Search box or Run command, and then press enter to start the System Configuration Utility. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click continue.
3. On the General tab, click Selective Startup, and then click to clear the Load startup items check box. (The Use Original Boot.ini check box is unavailable.)
4. On the Services tab, click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check box, and then click Disable all.
Note Following this step lets Microsoft services continue to run. These services include Networking, Plug and Play, Event Logging, Error Reporting, and other services. If you disable these services, you may permanently delete all restore points. Do not do this if you want to use the System Restore utility together with existing restore points.
5. Click ok, and then click restart.


Method 2:


1. Click start and type "regedit" on search bar (on RUN command)
2. Navigate to following key
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\SQMClient\Windows\DisabledSessions
3. Now delete all string key except default inside "Disabled Sessions"


Method 3:


1. Click start and type "gpedit.msc" search bar or on run command
2. Now navigate to
Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Internet Communication Management, and then click Internet Communication settings
3. Locate "Turn off Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program", double click or right click to edit
4. Click on "Enable". Apply and ok, now close gpedit windows.

More info from: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/...8-b586588138e2 and from http://www.blogsdna.com/2137/fix-win...-windows-7.htm

https://www.sevenforums.com/446298-post8.html

I resolved this by disabling NVIDIA.CPL in the context menu.

Atza said:

* Solved *
Method 3:

1. Click start and type "gpedit.msc" search bar or on run command
2. Now navigate to
Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Internet Communication Management, and then click Internet Communication settings
3. Locate "Turn off Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program", double click or right click to edit
4. Click on "Enable". Apply and ok, now close gpedit windows.

This method does not work on my windows 7 x64 Home premium (HP). It says that is is not available. Is there another way to make this step work?

As EMD said 7x64 I do not have the group edit - am I not susposed to have it? Any other thoughts? My errors(hanging, freezing or closing) are random and without warning:

Faulting application name: iexplore.exe, version: 8.0.7600.16385, time stamp: 0x4a5bc69e
Faulting module name: ntdll.dll, version: 6.1.7600.16385, time stamp: 0x4a5bdb3b
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Fault offset: 0x00038c39
Faulting process id: 0xe14
Faulting application start time: 0x01cad73f01092340
Faulting application path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
Faulting module path: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ntdll.dll
Report Id: 51f76b70-4334-11df-9753-00248c4f9747
Faulting application name: iexplore.exe, version: 8.0.7600.16385, time stamp: 0x4a5bc69e
Faulting module name: ntdll.dll, version: 6.1.7600.16385, time stamp: 0x4a5bdb3b
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Fault offset: 0x0002de64
Faulting process id: 0x6f0
Faulting application start time: 0x01cad1fcec0156f8
Faulting application path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
Faulting module path: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ntdll.dll
Report Id: 7e3129f0-3df4-11df-a637-00248c4f9747
Faulting application name: iexplore.exe, version: 8.0.7600.16385, time stamp: 0x4a5bc69e
Faulting module name: ole32.dll, version: 6.1.7600.16385, time stamp: 0x4a5bdac7
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Fault offset: 0x0002f2c2
Faulting process id: 0x920
Faulting application start time: 0x01cad22271d91e80
Faulting application path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
Faulting module path: C:\Windows\syswow64\ole32.dll
Report Id: 1e51e0b0-3e26-11df-8759-00248c4f9747
Faulting application name: iexplore.exe, version: 8.0.7600.16385, time stamp: 0x4a5bc69e
Faulting module name: ntdll.dll, version: 6.1.7600.16385, time stamp: 0x4a5bdb3b
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Fault offset: 0x00038c39
Faulting process id: 0xda8
Faulting application start time: 0x01cad4db63360760
Faulting application path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
Faulting module path: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ntdll.dll
Report Id: a3c6dde0-40ce-11df-8c80-00248c4f9747