Windows Explorer crashing on right click (image files and PDF only)

7leagueboot · 12 May 2012

2 days ago I allowed Windows to install 21 updates. Since then I have had several problems with my PC. Luckily, I use Rollback Rx so have returned the system to its state prior to those updates and all the problems appear to be solved other than Windows Explorer crashing on right click.

It only happens with image files and PDF's which makes it very difficult for me to find the culprit. It also happens on all drives including USB drives. I have done some research however the only people having this problem appear to have had it happen globally across all files and folders.

I do not have Spybot 2 installed and never have had so it isn't that.

My PC is an Alienware laptop which has been heavily modified for theme motives. None of these mods, which were installed over a year ago, have ever been a problem. Naturally I do not want to use SFC as that would replace all my mods with Windows 7's original system files. There must be a way to identify which process is causing this and then disable it.

Any suggestions please?

usasma · 12 May 2012

In most cases you can solve right click problems by using this free utility: ShellExView - Shell Extension Manager For Windows

Use it to disable all 3rd party (non-Microsoft) extensions. Reboot and see if the problem still exists.
If not, then re-enable ½ of them, reboot, and see if the problem comes back
Then continue to whittle it down into smaller and smaller groups until you locate the offending extension.
Uninstall the program associated with that extension and all should be well.

You may be able to install a fresh copy of that program in order to get it's extension's functionality back.

7leagueboot · 12 May 2012

Thanks usasma. Using ShellExView I managed to shortlist all non-Microsoft dll's and locate the culprit, an image resizing app. After disabling it Explorer no longer crashes. :)