Server execution failed

bertie11 · 05 Jul 2014

I get this message sometimes when I click on a desktop folder, it comes up with the path c:\Users\Mike\Desktop\System Utilities (which is the folder I am trying to open when fault showed). It can happen when I try to open any desktop folder.

The odd thing is (to me!) is that I had this fault before I re-installed windows 7 5 days ago, and I still have it. I assumed that the new install would create a new registry so I shouldn't be getting this message, unless it is due to another reason?

I've read a load of threads but they seem to mainly relate to Windows Media which I still have on the system but I don't use it. I had a Remote Assistance with Microsoft yesterday and it came up when he was trying to open a folder. The 'hourglass' goes for 2-3 minutes before the message comes up. After that, I can open folders with no problems (until the next time).

Any ideas please?

Callender · 05 Jul 2014

Check the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

Make sure that the paths shown are correct.

Edit: Especially for Desktop!

User Folders - Restore Default Location

bertie11 · 05 Jul 2014

Hi Callender

I've looked at both those registry keys, they both take me to C:\Users\Mike\Desktop so I'm assuming they
are both OK, if I understood you correctly you just wanted me to check the paths?

I haven't made any registry changes since I installed Windows.

Thanks.

Callender · 05 Jul 2014

Yes that looks as if it's correct.

I wonder if you could upload copies of those two registry keys?

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

Right click and choose "Export" then choose a file name and "Save As" .txt file. Attach the two text files just so that we can see if there are any obvious problems.

bertie11 · 05 Jul 2014

Of course, I haven't had the fault since...

Callender · 05 Jul 2014

Shell Folders.reg looks fine

User Shell Folders.reg looks wrong. Would you confirm that the method used to export was as follows?

Right click registry key> Export> Type File Name> Save As Type> Registration Files (*.reg)

Also would it be possible to post a screenshot of the registry key - it should look something like this?

[Image Removed]

EDIT: It all looks fine. My mistake!

EDIT: Are you saying that the problem might be intermittent and that sometimes it's possible to open any folder located on your desktop successfully?

Have you been using any external drives by any chance?

bertie11 · 06 Jul 2014

Yes, most of the time I can open folders on the desktop without any problems, but then sometimes I have to sit and wait, and wait, until the 'Server Execution failed' message appears. If I try several times to open the same folder, once I've cleared the Server fault window, the folder opens a window for each opening click, so I might get six windows open. Like a logjam, once the faulty log has gone...

Yes, I do use a 500gb external USB drive as I do several backups through the day. I cannot be sure though that it was on at the time of every fault message but there have been times when it was on and the fault appeared.

Callender · 06 Jul 2014

Well I'm guessing that if you've got shortcuts stored on your desktop (or possibly anywhere else) to anything located on your external drive then it could cause the problem at times when the drive is not in use or disconnected.

There's quite a detailed thread on the problem here:

Explorer.exe server execution failed

If you can read the entire thread from the first post through to the last it might give you a clue.

I asked about those registry keys as I had the same problem and one of the paths had somehow changed from the default path. In your case, as stated, there's nothing to worry about!

Callender · 06 Jul 2014

Another thought re: your external drive.

You say that it's plugged in but sometimes it's switched on and sometimes it's switched off.

Suggestion: When it's switched on and everything seems to be working go to My Computer and take a look at the drive letter that's assigned to your external drive and make a note of it.

Next time you see the "Server Execution Failed" message just have a quick check to see if Windows assigned a new drive letter to your external drive somehow! If this is the case - it's very likely to be the reason for the error message.

bertie11 · 06 Jul 2014

Thanks for those suggestions Callender, I haven't been able to do any more investigation but I will check out your suggestions. my system has started to run slow so I'm trying to find out why and what I've done! I know it is overheating and I'm waiting doe a laptop cooling tray and some compressed air to arrive to see if that helps!

The server fault hasn't re-appeared since.

Server execution failed

Server execution failed

Suggestions

Looks okay

User Shell Folders

External Drive