I have a problem with my desktop pc that started a while back. Whenever I try to copy a file from one location to paste in another, Windows Explorer closes and restarts. It's impossible to transfer files now.
I believe the problem may be something to do with shell extensions. I don't know what these are, or how to diagnose if they are the problem.
Any help and advice greatly appreciated.
Hi woodbine,
Had you made any changes [hardware or other] to the computer prior to the problem?
Have you installed any new software or updates prior to the problem?
Have you tried using a Restore Point that was prior to the problem?
Does this affect all file types?
Have you run a SFC [System File Checker] scan?
If not, then follow my instructions below!
SFC [System File Checker]
SFC [System File Checker] is a Windows utility program for detecting and repairing corruptions in the protected system files of the Windows OS. If any files are missing or corrupted, they are replaced with a cached copy that is located in a compressed folder at %WinDir%\System32\dllcache. The %WinDir% placeholder represents the Windows OS folder C:\Windows. SFC MUST be run from an elevated command prompt => Click Start, in the search box type cmd, when cmd appears in the menu under Programs, right-click it and select Run as administrator. The elevated command prompt window will now open. Copy sfc /scannow [yes there is a space there] and Paste it [you need to use the mouse right-click and paste for this as CTRL+V doesn’t work] into the elevated command prompt window and press Enter.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT close the elevated command prompt window until the verification is 100% complete.
The scan results will be shown after this process is finished. If any errors are reported, run it again a few times, re-booting in between. If after that, you get a message saying Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them, then post the CBS.log at C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log.
I hope this helps!
Last edited by Paul Black; 07 Oct 2018 at 15:39.
Thanks for your reply, Paul.
No changes to pc or software. Only updates I can think of are the occasional Windows ones.
I'm not sure when the problem started, maybe some time ago. I don't often transfer files, so could have been there some time.
Yes, affects all file types.
Will run SFC as you suggest and report back.
I've just run SFC and it said 'Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.'
Unfortunately, the problem is still there.
Hi woodbine,
OK, run CHKDSK [Check Disk], please follow my instructions below!
CHKDSK [Check Disk]
CHKDSK [Check Disk] is a Windows utility program for detecting and repairing corruptions of the file system [FAT16, FAT32, and NTFS drives]. CHKDSK must be run from an elevated command prompt => Click Start, in the search box type cmd, when cmd appears in the menu under Programs, right-click it and select Run as administrator. The elevated command prompt window will now open.
[1] Run CHKDSK in non-invasive read-only and detect mode. Copy chkdsk C: [yes there is a space there] and Paste it [you need to use the mouse right-click and paste for this as CTRL+V doesn’t work] into the elevated command prompt window and press Enter - This analyses drive C:\ and reports any errors or corruptions, but doesn’t repair them.
[2] If there are any errors or corruptions, then run CHKDSK in repair mode. This one repairs errors on the disk without scanning for any bad sectors. Copy CHKDSK C: /F [yes there are 2 spaces there] and Paste it [you need to use the mouse right-click and paste for this as CTRL+V doesn’t work] into the elevated command prompt window and press Enter - This does repair any file system errors or corruptions on drive C:\, provided that the disk isn’t in use. If the disk is in use, CHKDSK displays a prompt that asks whether you want to schedule the disk to be checked the next time you restart the OS, click Yes to schedule this check and then Restart.
[3] If there are still any errors or corruptions, then run CHKDSK in repair mode again. This one repairs errors on the disk and scans for bad sectors, it then attempts to repair or recover any readable information [implies /F]. Copy CHKDSK C: /R [yes there are 2 spaces there] and Paste it [you need to use the mouse right-click and paste for this as CTRL+V doesn’t work] into the elevated command prompt window and press Enter - This does repair any file system errors or corruptions on drive C:\, provided that the disk isn’t in use. If the disk is in use, CHKDSK displays a prompt that asks whether you want to schedule the disk to be checked the next time you restart the OS, click Yes to schedule this check and then Restart.
I hope this helps!
Last edited by Paul Black; 07 Oct 2018 at 17:12.
OK, will do that tomorrow and report back as getting late.
Also, I did system restore to 15th Aug which was the earliest date on list. Didn't fix problem. Fault probably happened before that date.
Thanks again for your help, Paul. Really appreciated.
OK, have done Check Disc, number one in your list above. Came up with 'Windows has checked the file system and found no problems'. Obviously haven't carried out sections 2 and 3.
Hmm. An elusive one. Are there any other things I can check please?
Last edited by woodbine; 08 Oct 2018 at 14:00.
Hi woodbine,
[1] Do you have the same problem if you boot into Safe Mode and copy a file from one location to another using Windows Explorer?
[2] Have you tried using another users account, or is yours the only one?
I hope this helps!
Last edited by Paul Black; 08 Oct 2018 at 16:30.
Hi Paul.
1) Tried to copy files in safe - same thing happens, Windows Explorer restarts and file doesn't get copied.
2) Mine is the only user account. Would it help if I set up another?
Thanks again.
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