replacing windows explorer- good idea?

[atoms88]

Hi all. I'm having freeze up problems and other assorted issues that I'm pretty sure are caused by explorer. Start button disappearing, freezing up with a white haze over the monitor and error messages that cause me to have to close explorer and restart quite often. all caught up on updates and scannow-malwarebytes finds nothing. I'm thinking of swapping to another version of explorer ( link below or something like it) Has anybody experience with this kind of swap? Is it a good or bad idea?
Q-Dir 7.04 Really good quad explorer 4 files and folders

thanks

 

[samuria]

To be clear there are two explorers the one that runs the desktop and the file explorer . To use another file explorer you can use a several you don't need to change anything just install a new one and use that there are lots of good ones to choose from

 

[mrjimphelps]

There is only one negative with using a different file explorer -- you will get used to using it rather than the one which comes with Windows; then, if you are ever using a different computer, you won't be used to the one that is on that computer, that is, the one which comes with Windows. This is a small issue, but you need to at least think about it.

But there could be something else causing these issues. Try disabling the non-Microsoft services which are running, then re-enable them one at a time to see if one of them is causing the issues. Here's how to do this:
Win 7.1 HPremium takes 20 minutes to boot! Is this an indexing issue?

 

[LMiller7]

The explorer.exe process operates the start menu, desktop, and more. It also operates Windows Explorer. There are many third party products that perform the functions of Windows Explorer, Q-Dir being just one. I am sure many members of this forum use such products, myself being one. There are no issues in doing this. It is just a matter of personal preference.



But this doesn't actually replace anything. The explorer.exe process will continue to operate the start menu and other things just as before. If you are having problems with the start menu or desktop using such a program is unlikely to solve your problem.


It is possible to install a different shell that does replace explorer.exe but that is a different matter entirely. I have only heard of this but never done it myself and have no desire to try.

 

[Megahertz07]

If you have corrupted files on your disk, it can explain what you're facing.
Run a disk check (chkdsk c: /f)

You have the minimum, minimum memory required for Win 7 64.
You should install, at least, more 2G or reinstall Win 7 using 32 bits (recommended).