Missing Shell32.dll after windows update

[Funky Monk]

Over the last few days, each time I shut down my computer, windows installs an update which, when restarted, I get the message: 'The program can't start because SHELL32.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem'. Then I can't use windows at all and have to restore it to an earlier time. I have recently uninstalled Avast av and installed AVG 9.0. I uninstalled Avast because I was getting BSOD's because of ntoskrnl.exe. That seems to have fixed that particular problem, but now I have this new one. It is not hardware as I have checked everything myself and sent it back to the shop. I've also googled this and nothing seems to relate to my problem.
The update is:Security update(KB2286198). Any help would be ace.

 

[Petey7]

AVG 9.0 can cause just as many, if not worst, problems than Avast. I, and several others on this forum, recommend Microsoft Security Essentials instead. If I am not mistaken that it the most recent critical update to fix the .LNK security risk. I recommend uninstalling AVG, then checking to make sure all files from it have been removed. Then install updates. After the updates are installed, download and install MSE.

 

[Flavius]

You can try replace this file -I attached 64bit version to post

more details about this error Shell32.dll - Shell32.dll Not Found Error - Missing Shell32.dll - Fix Shell32.dll

If it doesn't work too scan your computer by using Live OneCare Windows Live OneCare safety scanner: Free online tool for PC health and safety

 

[Funky Monk]

I think I'll uninstall AVG, since it's only started since I installed it. What program do I use to make sure everything has been uninstalled? I'd replace the file but I can't even use windows in safe mode. Have to restore each time.
Thanks for replying so fast.

Edit: Found Absolute Uninstaller.

 

[smarteyeball]

Out of curiosity - did you have a custom theme installed?

 

[Flavius]

I can't even use windows in safe mode.

So in this case use your install disc or special recovery disk from this site:Download Windows 7 System Recovery Discs — The NeoSmart Files

or if you hate command prompts you can use any linux i.e Ubuntu.

 

[Funky Monk]

I uninstalled AVG with Absolute uninstaller, then installed security update, then rebooted, as it was installing them on shut down, it said: 'Failure configuring windows update, reverting changes'. Then it reverted and logged into windows and got the same message as in the first post. Above the message thats in the first post it says; 'explorer.exe - system error'. I don't use IE, so I assume it means windows explorer.


A custom theme? Is that in the personalise/aero theme bit? If so, then yes I made a led zeppelin one. Should I just use a basic windows one at the moment?

 

[Petey7]

Do me a favor, just to check. Do the system restore like you did before. Then after you boot into windows, type command prompt into the start menu searchbar, and right click it, then click run as admin. After you get it open, type "SFC /SCANNOW" without the quotation marks. This will make sure all your system files are intact.

 

[Flavius]

Above the message thats in the first post it says; 'explorer.exe - system error'.

Too many errors in my opinion -scan your computer by using Windows Live OneCare...

 

[Funky Monk]

I did the SFC /SCANNOW yesterday and it siad everything was ok, I'll do it again now. If it says that everything is ok again I'll run a scan using windows live care. Much appreciated.

Update: No integrity problems. Now OneCare.

Tried running onecare but it didn't work.

 

[Funky Monk]

Just installed MSSE and it found no problems. Going to do the updates that are available then if the problem still pops up, I'll try and repair it with the win 7 disk.

 

[Flavius]

It would be also conflict with any 3p application (not system issue),go to event viewer

(Start>>Search>>eventvwr.msc)

go to Application section and find errors relate to explorer.exe or shell32.dll
and post here error messages.

 

[Phone Man]

I believe the update replaces Shell32.dll. Maybe the update you got is corrupted. Go to this site and download and install a fresh copy.

Download details: Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2286198)

Jim

 

[Funky Monk]

Ok, installed MSSE and it did a scan and found no problems. So I installed the Windows Updates and rebooted and the same thing happens. So I booted from the Win 7 disk and tried to repair it but it said that it also found no problems. Not really sure what to do now. I don't really want to format it as I've done that about four times in the last three months. But I might just have to start from scratch and see if I get any more problems. Thanks again.

Edit: didn't see the last few posts. I'll do that now

 

[smarteyeball]

A custom theme? Is that in the personalise/aero theme bit? If so, then yes I made a led zeppelin one. Should I just use a basic windows one at the moment?

No, that is fine.

I was referring to a custom theme that you can download from the net which has a patched shell32.dll file.

 

[Funky Monk]

I d/l and installed from that link and the same thing happens. I have never used event viewer before, but under Applications there are 4,080 events. I don't know what they all are. Most of them say 'information', there are quite a few warnings and a number of .net runtime errors, application errors, MS windows CAPI2 errors and restart manager errors. There are no errors for explorer.exe or shell32.dll errors that I can see. But I don't really know what im doing with it.

 

[Flavius]

Click on "Application" section,find in right panel "Filter Current Log" option,click on that,next appear another window and choose in
that "errors" and apply



manual how to use event viewer Working with Vista’s new Event Viewer

 

[Funky Monk]

Didn't find any shell32.dll or explorer.exe errors. There was 56 errors overall though. Did a thorough scan with MSSE and it didn't find any virus'.

Although there is a 'extexport.exe' error in there. I googled it and it is part of explorer.

 

[Flavius]

You can try also this method:

1.Download ShellExView ShellExView - Shell Extension Manager For Windows,in this soft disable all components belongs to 3p applications +restart

2.Try again install update
3.If you manage install this update again run ShellExView and enable back all components

 

[Funky Monk]

Ran ShellExView and disabled 3rd party stuff and installed update. Same problem occurred. However, this time when I went to restore, it was at the finalising stage and a window came up and said that it couldnt' complete the restore. I clicked cancel and windows rebooted back to the restore point.