Will upgrading to Win 10 fix issues with explorer.exe crashing in W7?

NeilBeale · 01 Jul 2016

Hey guys,

I have been having a serious issue with my laptop lately. I am using Windows 7, and every time I try to copy a file from one place to another, be it on the computer or from USB, explorer crashes and restarts. This means I cannot backup my files onto an external HDD, which is what I wanted to do in order to reformat.

I have tried sfc/scannow, disk defrag, scanned with MalwareBytes, SuperAntiSpyware, and the problem still persists with a new user. Also bear in mind that I have had this laptop for around 7 years (I think) so maybe it is just something that was inevitably going to happen.

So my question is, if I finally give in to the Windows 10 upgrade notification, will this resolve the issue of explorer.exe constantly crashing or does it not work like that?

Thanks in advance.

fireberd · 01 Jul 2016

I suspect it will fix it, and I would recommend Win 10 if your hardware and software is compatible.

If after upgrading to Win 10 and the remote chance you still have the problem, a "clean" install will be required.

One note, before upgrading, backup (make a disc image) of your entire hard drive to some other media such as a USB connected hard drive. If you don't have an image program the free Macrium Reflect (a UK company) program will do that.

Brds7t7 · 01 Jul 2016

Neil,

If you don't want to go the full upgrade route, you could try a Repair Install instead. Much easier than doing a clean install. Not 100% guaranteed to work as it could be 3rd party software causing explorer to crash.

Repair Install

Callender · 01 Jul 2016

On a 7 year old machine a Windows 10 upgrade might not go smoothly. Others might want to comment on that.

Other than upgrading perhaps read this thread:

explorer.exe crashes when I stop with the mouse on a photo or image

ThrashZone · 01 Jul 2016

Hi,
Upgrades rarely fix existing issues
The upgrade process in general has a pretty good chance of hanging at 30 or 99% or getting into a restart loop.
There are many upgrade options and I'd review them seems you'd be clean installing one or the other anyway
Windows 10 - Clean Install - Windows 10 Forums

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/...ows-7-and-8-1/

NeilBeale · 01 Jul 2016

Thanks for your replies everyone. A lot of the things I read also point to clean installing, like ThrashZone mentioned. I have downloaded the regedit file though from the thread mentioned by Callender if anyone could help me out analysing the .dmp file.

Thanks,

Neil

Callender · 01 Jul 2016

Your explorer crash dump points to this:

Code:

SYMBOL_NAME:  psdprotect+12de

FOLLOWUP_NAME:  MachineOwner

MODULE_NAME: psdprotect

IMAGE_NAME:  psdprotect.dll

DEBUG_FLR_IMAGE_TIMESTAMP:  4b664312

STACK_COMMAND:  ~47s; .ecxr ; kb

FAILURE_BUCKET_ID:  INVALID_POINTER_READ_CALL_c0000005_psdprotect.dll!Unknown

BUCKET_ID:  X64_APPLICATION_FAULT_INVALID_POINTER_READ_CALL_psdprotect+12de

If you know which program installed that file - check for and install updates. Alternatively if it's a free to download and use program - uninstall if fully using something like: GeekUninstaller | GeekUninstaller

Looks like it might be a shell extension installed by MyWinLocker

We can also try disabling the shell extension.

NeilBeale · 02 Jul 2016

YES! Thank you Callender, that was it. I uninstalled MyWinLocker and the problem stopped. Excellent :) Thank you guys for your collaborative help; people are awesome!

Neil

Callender · 03 Jul 2016

Thanks for letting us know. FYI - there is another recent post on the issue here:

https://www.sevenforums.com/general-d...ml#post3262422

Megahertz07 · 04 Jul 2016

My experience with Windows (any kind) is that after two years it doesn't work as it used to. My suggestion is to reinstall it.
- Back up all your files. Don't use the transfer wizard as it will import register data that my be causing the actual problem.
- Normally laptops comes with a BIOS reinstall wizard that will reformat your HDD and reinstall Windows.
- After reinstall, run Windows update with Recommended Updates Unchecked (so it doesn't install Win10). Install the essentials programs and run Windows update with Recommended Updates Unchecked. Now it's a good time to create an image of your installation so you can restore it in the future.
Install all other programs an restore your backup ed files.