explorer.exe crashes on login and opening this computer

Hello,

Since yesterday my pc suddenly started to generate explorer.exe crashes on everything that I try to do. Opening a file in Notepad by "browsing", trying to open "My Computer" or "My Documents" and even trying to browse for a program by using the Task Manager.

When I logon, explorer seems to start fine (sometimes) or immediately when the background is loaded, the error is thrown and the loop initiates...
Sometimes it stops looping the error after 4 - 5 times and then I have to stay away from any file browser, but mostly this is a never ending loop of explorer crashes.


I've tried the following fixes:
- sfc /scannow ===> no errors detected/solved
- malwarebytes ====> nothing detected
- panda antivirus / trendmicro Housecall ===> no virusses detected
- ccleaner (clean register included) ===> no help at all
- system restore to a point before the last windows update ===> no solution


This is the error message logged in the Event Manager:

Code:

Faulting application name: explorer.exe, version: 6.1.7601.17567, time stamp: 0x4d672ee4
Faulting module name: ntdll.dll, version: 6.1.7601.17725, time stamp: 0x4ec4aa8e
Exception code: 0xc0000374
Fault offset: 0x00000000000c40f2
Faulting process id: 0x460
Faulting application start time: 0x01cd2ba97cfd8387
Faulting application path: C:\Windows\explorer.exe
Faulting module path: C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\ntdll.dll
Report Id: bc449a32-979c-11e1-9bd0-14dae9418742

Any possible help on this error?

I'd like to keep my windows intact if possible, but if a format is required...


Thanks in advance

Tom


EDIT: system specs are now filled in under my profile