"Windows Explorer has stopped working" on startup after update

dstutzman said:

Try removing the following update:

Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2926765)

You can do this by booting into safe mode, opening "Programs and Features" in Control Panel, and then selecting "View installed updates" from the left panel.

This update caused the same explorer.exe crash for me, and removing it resolved the issue. I do, however, still see a "Windows Explorer has stopped working" message every time I boot up, but the process just restarts and I'm able to use my computer normally. Hopefully Microsoft releases a patch for this soon.

This did it - thanks for the tip.

I understand the need to narrow down the issue, but having fixed it by uninstalling and ignoring this update, I don't have the patience to go back and try uninstalling each one individually.

Anyway, thanks for the help guys.

Removing Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2926765) also resolved the issue for me.

I have an older PC running Vista Home Premium, and had this same problem. Un-installing the KB2926765 update fixed this issue too. Come on MS...why do you break your own OS?!?!?!

I've been having the same issue, but I can not even boot into safe mode. i've tried system restoring to months ago and it hasn't helped. The moment it logs in whether or not its in safe mode explorer.exe stops working and i sit there with a black screen. sfc /scannow does nothing. I've ran it over 10 times now. Uninstalling that specific update did me no good.

I know this is an old thread but thought I could add some new information. Experienced the same issue with the updates around 3/12/2015. On startup explorer.exe would crash and the window for personalized settings would be in the back. Starting task manager and running a new task with explorer.exe yielded no results. This thread helped me get a clue of the cause of the issue and through trial and error the update that cause my issue was (KB3033929). I just used task manager to navigate to Programs and Features and deleted the update and my explorer.exe is working again. Just giving back to the community.

I don't usually post that often to groups such as this, but I had the exact same problem and it was driving me nuts. I found a quick solution.

Use ctrl+shift+esc to get to your task manager. Click "Show processes from all users". Go to file ->New Task. Type "explorer.exe" and tick the "create this task with administrative privileges".

Apparently, the morons at Microsoft didn't give their personalization setting configurator the access it needs to update your settings. Do this, and it will have permission. Problem solved.

Just an fyi - I followed the instructions on this forum and resolved this issue. Then in June of 2015, it happened again. This time I had to remove KB3033890.

thanns said:

Just an fyi - I followed the instructions on this forum and resolved this issue. Then in June of 2015, it happened again. This time I had to remove KB3033890.

Made an account here just to say thank you this fixed it for me aswell, i tried 100 different things and this worked!!

So after a lot of searching, I found what the problem was for my computer. I had the program Synergy installed, and it was causing this issue to happen. By Uninstalling Synergy, Windows Explorer no longer crashes, and everything works fine.