Windows Explorer crashes when trying to open certain file properties

Have you tried uninstalling AVG?
What is the file association of video files (avi mpg mp4 etc.)

Mine is set for
.avi - Windows Media Player.
all .mp* - Windows Media Player

Look in Control Panel, Default Programs.

This worked for me and it also helped another forum member.

See the tutorial here:

Troubleshooting Explorer.exe Crashing Issues

Download the Registry Fix file but before you do anything else run Registry Editor and back up the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting

Right click "Windows Error Reporting" and choose "Export" and save it somewhere handy.

Then go to START> Run

then type services.msc into the run dialog box and press ENTER

Scroll down and check that the Windows Error Reporting Service is enabled. If it isn't - enable it.

Click your downloaded "Registry Fix" file - it's file name is WER_Explorer.reg and click Merge.

Reboot.

The next time Explorer crashes check for a dump file here:

C:\Localdump

Refer to the tutorial linked above to read the instructions on how to zip the dump file and attach it to your next post.

The crash dump suggests a problem with the following file:IDMShellExt64.dll

Suggestions for now include:

Navigate to that file - it should be in this folder:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Download Manager

In that folder right-click the IDMShellExt64.dll and rename the IDMShellExt64.dll to IDMShellExt64.old


Log off and then back on again. See if the issue is resolved.


If it isn't - check for an updated version of IDM and if there's one available - install it.


If that doesn't work, consider uninstalling IDM followed by a reboot and also check to see that the

C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Download Manager

folder has been removed and delete it if it still exists. If that doesn't solve the problem you can always reinstall IDM.



This isn't a guaranteed fix - just something to try.

Callender said:

The crash dump suggests a problem with the following file:IDMShellExt64.dll

Suggestions for now include:

Navigate to that file - it should be in this folder:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Download Manager

In that folder right-click the IDMShellExt64.dll and rename the IDMShellExt64.dll to IDMShellExt64.old


Log off and then back on again. See if the issue is resolved.


If it isn't - check for an updated version of IDM and if there's one available - install it.


If that doesn't work, consider uninstalling IDM followed by a reboot and also check to see that the

C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Download Manager

folder has been removed and delete it if it still exists. If that doesn't solve the problem you can always reinstall IDM.



This isn't a guaranteed fix - just something to try.

Hello again.

I have changed the file from .dll to .old and rebooted. It didn't work. I have checked that IDM is of the latest version. Finally, I have uninstalled IDM and rebooted, deleted the IDM folder and rebooted again. No luck.

Okay so that rules out that software. You should also check your shell extensions as shown in step 1 of the tutorial and disable any that were installed by third party software (Non-Microsoft) then reboot to see if the issue remains. If everything works okay re-enable those shell extensions a few at a time until the issue is reproduced.

If there's still a problem after disabling those shell extensions start looking at software that was installed on or around the date the problem started and also check for updates for any other third party software.

If you get another new dump file you could attach it to another post just to check that it reads the same as the last one.

EDIT: If you see any new dump files including the one that was created after you removed IDM and rebooted please upload them.

In order to stop those dump files being written out - double click on that backup reg file that you made as per Post 3 and merge it.
Then delete the C:\Localdump folder.

Check Folder view options and set them like this:

Choose “Organize,” “Folder and Search Options,” “View,” and then click “Launch Folder Windows in a Separate Process” to tick the checkbox followed by “Apply” and “Ok"


It might also be wise to also rebuild the Icon Cache as shown here:

Icon Cache - Rebuild

Hello Callender.

I have attached 3 dump files, in the following order:

(1) explorer.exe.2348.zip
(2) explorer.exe.2040.zip
(3) explorer.exe.2288.zip

I believe that the first dump file was created after the IDM shell extension was amended, while the second dump file was created after IDM was uninstalled. The third dump file was most probably created after IDM was re-installed.

Anyway, I have (on a previous occasion) disabled all non-Microsoft context menu handlers using ShellExView and then rebooted. The problem remained. I have also tried the "Launch Folder Windows in a Separate Process" trick to no avail.

And unfortunately, I have NO idea when the problem started. I have not opened the properties of any file for ages, and it was only by chance that I did it last week and noticed the problem for the very first time. As such, I am not sure what to look for and when.

So... I will try the icon cache rebuild and come back here with more dump files. Many thanks for your help so far.