Solved Windows Explorer Crashes When Copying Files. Shell Extensions??

[woodbine]

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.

 

[Paul Black]

Hi woodbine,

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.

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!

 

[woodbine]

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.

 

[woodbine]

I've just run SFC and it said 'Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.'

Unfortunately, the problem is still there.

 

[Paul Black]

Hi woodbine,

I've just run SFC and it said 'Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.'

Unfortunately, the problem is still there.

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!

 

[woodbine]

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.

 

[Paul Black]

Hi woodbine,

Thanks again for your help, Paul. Really appreciated.

You are most welcome!
Please let us know how you get on or if you need any help.

 

[woodbine]

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?

 

[Paul Black]

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!

 

[woodbine]

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.

 

[Paul Black]

Hi woodbine,

Would it help if I set up another?

It wouldn't hurt to try it!
You could always delete it afterwards!

I hope this helps!

 

[woodbine]

OK, Paul. Will do. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.

 

[Paul Black]

Hi woodbine,

OK, Paul. Will do. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.

To make it easier, here is a link to help you => How to Create a User Account in Windows 7

I hope this helps!

 

[woodbine]

Hi Paul

Before I do that, I wondered if you could spare a few mins to look at the links below. It is about my specific problem, and saying that it affects Acer computers (mine is Acer) and may be caused by a program called MyWinLocker from Egis Technology. This program is loaded on my pc. Too many coincidences?

Acer, MyWinLocker and ‘Explorer has stopped working’ | Born's Tech and Windows World

Bit of a long one this link, with a number of replies -

Windows 7 explorer crashes when trying to copy files, photos, etc. - Microsoft Community

 

[Paul Black]

Hi woodbine,

It is strange that this has only just started happening now as the first link is dated 23-Mar-2018!

MyWinLocker is a suite that is pre-installed on selected Acer products. The main purpose of this is to help you protect your private data. It includes two applications, Yo-Safe [a password-protected virtual drive], and Shredder [a secure tool to remove files].

Do you use MyWinLocker?

In Start > Programs, is there a program folder for Acer that has the different Acer software installed? If so, is there one for Acer updates? If there is, try running that first!

If that doesn't work, look in Programs and Features to see if Windows Lock(er) or MyWinLocker appear in there. If they do, uninstall them. You can always install the program again if you use it and decide you need it!

If that still doesn't work, then the second link you provided is a lot more informative and helpful so you could try the suggestions in there.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you create a System Restore Point before doing any of the above!

I hope this helps!

 

[woodbine]

I don't think I use Winlocker. I have never specifically selected it for anything. Wondering whether it's something that runs in the background doing things that are required that I don't know about. Or it could be an unnecessary program. Not really sure.

I clicked start > All Programs and found an Acer folder. it has Acer Recovery Management, Acer Updater, Hotkey facility, Identity Card and Welcome Centre in it.

Yes, MyWinLocker appears in Programs and Features

So, for starters, I will set a restore point and try the Acer updater.

 

[Paul Black]

Hi woodbine,

I don't think I use Winlocker.

I think you would probably know if you have used it! It is like most manufacturers, they love giving us useless stuff that we don't need and will probably never ever use!

I clicked Start > All Programs and found an Acer folder. It has Acer Recovery Management, Acer Updater, Hotkey Facility, Identity Card and Welcome Centre in it.

OK, try running Acer Updater. It might say that you already have the latest version installed. You might even have a newer version than the one they have got that was installed/updated through WU. If that is the case, the older version will not be installed.

Yes, MyWinLocker appears in Programs and Features.

OK, you can either delete it from there, or what I and many members use is Revo Uninstaller [FREE]. It has an advanced scan option to get rid of any leftovers. You can download it from here => Revo Uninstaller FREE.

So, for starters, I will set a restore point and try the Acer updater.

Sounds good.

I hope this helps!

 

[woodbine]

Hi Paul

Thanks for that.

Just tried Acer Updater. It has nothing on it. Clicking 'check for updates' nothing. There's also nothing in the Updates History. The Updater is set for daily updates.

Is this OK? If it's normal, I will proceed with installing Revo and uninstalling WinLocker.

 

[Paul Black]

Hi woodbine,

It is like most manufacturers, they love giving us useless stuff that we don't need and will probably never ever use!

Just tried Acer Updater. It has nothing on it. Clicking 'check for updates' nothing. There's also nothing in the Updates History. The Updater is set for daily updates.

Is this OK? If it's normal, I will proceed with installing Revo and uninstalling WinLocker.

I am not surprised, it is as I stated above. It would be advisable to disable the daily updates if you can as they are obviously of no use what so ever. This would be one less task that your computer will have to perform for no benefit at all.

Yes, go ahead and uninstall WinLocker.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you create a System Restore Point before doing this!

I hope this helps!

 

[woodbine]

Hi Paul.

Well, I've solved the problem with your help - for which I'm eternally grateful. MyWinLocker was causing the problems - specifically the shell extensions. Seems to be a known problem with this program and Acer computers especially.

At first, I thought Revo hadn't worked properly. This was because I hadn't selected the programs that I wanted to remove properly on Revo. Had to go back to a system restore point then use Revo properly, and it removed all traces of MyWinLocker/Shredder/Egis Tech. A program that I had never used had sat there on my pc, then started causing problems.

Has been a load of hassle, but can now copy files without problems. Revo is an excellent tool, and the scan afterwards shows that usual uninstall processes aren't always that good. This problem has now made me look at the programs that came with the pc, and made me realise that there is probably a load more junk on there to get rid of. May need to ask you what I should bin.

Many thanks again for your continued help, really above and beyond. Sorted the Winlocker problem and recently fixed the separate power supply fault for my monitor by soldering in new capacitors. Just need to fix my Print Spooler problem now and everything will be working properly. Until the next thing..............

This is the info that will help anyone with a similar problem, especially with Acers -
Windows 7 explorer crashes when trying to copy files, photos, etc. - Microsoft Community