Solved explorer.exe - fatal application exit

[dnlbrdng]

I downloaded a taskkill shortcut from a stumbleupon site. Now whenever i right click on an icon a window pops up saying explorer.exe - fatal application exit. When I try to click ok the mouse curser goes under the window. I have to use task manager to end it. I used Revo uninstaller to get rid of the shortcut. I have tried anti-malware to find out if it is a virus. I have restored my computer twice. It is an Acer netbook with windows 7 starter. Nothing seems to help. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[karlsnooks]

1. Stay away from those wonder programs. If in doubt, then ask at a technical forum first.
2. Run the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper. Be forewarned, the program will take a long time, and do an excellent job.

PUT SYSTEM SWEEPER ON A USB STICK
System Sweeper, https://connect.microsoft.com/systemsweeper, allows you to start an infected PC and perform an offline scan to identify and remove viruses, rootkits and other advanced malware. System Sweeper is a free standalone, bootable malware and virus remover from Microsoft.

Safety Scanner, http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx, is free, downloadable, provides on-demand scanning and helps remove viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It works with your existing antivirus software.

If the target computer has a working internet connection, then you may prefer to use the Safety Scanner.

NOTE: A fine tutorial on the System Sweeper is:
How to use the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper


Download System Sweeper (about 576 kB):
https://connect.microsoft.com/systemsweeper

Insert 256 MB or larger USB stick into a usb port.
Run the downloaded program--mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe
Choose the option to install to USB.
Caution: The install program will format the usb stick.

The install program will download about 200 mB more.
After the install is finished, leave the stick in the usb slot.

Run the program you downloaded once again.
This 2nd run, and any subsequent runs, will download the very latest anti-virus definitions (about 60 mB).

To keep System Sweeper up-to-date, simply reinsert the usb stick and run the installation program, mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe, again.

The initial, full scan by System Sweeper can easily take several hours, but subsequent quick scans will be shorter.
Remember, your computer is being very thoroughly checked for all types of malware.

The results of System Sweeper will be in:
\Windows\Standalone System Sweeper\Support as one or more files with a LOG extension which can be viewed with Notepad.

 

[Britton30]

Revo Uninstaller will Uninstall program, not delete shortcuts. See if it will uninstall this task killer.

Restored twice...do you mean you used System Restore or a repair install? What info did your virus scan have.

 

[Layback Bear]

First I recommend doing what karlsnooks has posted. A anti malware does not fine virus. They find malware.
Tell us what program you used to get rid of the bad thing and what the bad thing was.

 

[dnlbrdng]

Thank you to those who have replied. I am trying Safety Scanner right now. Looks like it will be running for awhile. If it doesn't work I will try System Sweeper, I need to get a usb thumb drive first. The restore I used was system restore. Here is what i had downloaded.

...you can create a desktop shortcut that will automatically close any "Not Responding" applications whenever you double-click the shortcut. Here's how to set it up -- it's really easy:
Right click while on your desktop and select "create a new shortcut."
Quotes included, enter the following as the location: taskkill.exe /f /fi "status eq not responding".

I used Revo"s hunter mode to get rid of the shortcut once i saw I was having prooblems. I have tried Malwarebytes' Antimalware, Ad-Aware and an antivirus scan that is part of my computer in programs. In addition I have Mcafee. No luck but I've got my fingers crossed hoping these new ideas work. Thank you.

 

[dnlbrdng]

Well I used Safety Scanner, took almost 5 hours, and it did find an infected file. Exploit:Java/CVE-2010-0840.AY. That did not fix my rightclick problem. I guess I will try System Sweeper next and hope it works. I found taskkill.exe in my all programs but when I clicked on it all it did was flash by real quick.

 

[karlsnooks]

taskkill must be run from the command prompt.

You should not be using taskkill.

You should use either RESMON or TaskManager to kill a process.

If you are really hell-bent on doing things the hard way, then go to an elevated command prompt and type:
taskkill /?

 

[dnlbrdng]

I don't want to do things the hard way. I was trying to get to taskkill to see if that was the problem. I thought it might have had something to do with what I had downloaded. I looked on google and it looked like that sometimes taskkill.exe could conceal a virus, but it was all to confusing for me to figure out. I will leave it alone. Mcafee just finished it's scan and reported no problems.

 

[karlsnooks]

The Standalone System Sweeper has the advantage that the software is run from a ram disk and the actual Win 7 on your computer is never started, thus avoiding malware that starts when your computer starts.

 

[dnlbrdng]

Well I used Standalone System Sweeper. It ran a full scan and didn't find anything. I am still having problems with my right click. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas to try next? It is really a bother not having it work properly. Help please!

 

[karlsnooks]

replace mouse

 

[dnlbrdng]

I'm using the touchpad on my netbook, not a mouse. Anyway, I fixed the problem! I used ShellExView and disabled things until my right click worked again. I am so happy! Thanks for all the help I was given. It was nice knowing I didn't have to go through this by myself.

 

[karlsnooks]

Would you be so good as to tell us what shell extension was causing the problem so that we will be better able to help others in the future.

I assume you have learned your lesson about those wonder programs which create shell extensions.

 

[dnlbrdng]

There were two extensions that had to do with AxCrypt. I downloaded that about a week ago and wasn't having any problems until I download that taskkill shortcut. I will be extra careful about what I download from now on. I've learned my lesson.

 

[karlsnooks]

Many thanks for getting back to us with the info.

Now if I can just remember this for next time.