Solved Windows explorer has stopped working error

[jmjsquared]

Before anything further, let's make sure Sp1 is actually installed. Look here and let me know:

 

[AlexIsAlex]

Yup, definitely not listed (accessed via control panel\System and Security\System since right-clicking computer in the start menu causes explorer to crash).

Edit: Pasting a screenprint didn't work, it just says:

Windows edition:
Windows 7 Home Premium
Copyright C 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Get more features with a new edition of Windows 7 (link)

 

[jmjsquared]

Now, that's surprising, to say the least.
Here's the link to "Problem Solved":
http://download.microsoft.com/downl...AB78-7FB0D4461357/windows6.1-KB976932-X64.exe

 

[AlexIsAlex]

Heh, bold words! Downloading...

 

[AlexIsAlex]

Well, I do believe you have cracked it, sir! Windows Explorer now opens, Computer opens, right-clicking icons works. The only hitch is that when I resumed the laptop from sleep this morning, it showed the "resuming Windows" screen and then stalled on a black screen without proceeding to the login screen. My HDD was also intermittently active for about 8 minutes before I decided to power down and restart. I managed to resume from sleep without problems after that though so it might have been a passing bug...

Anyway, the main problem is fixed, which is very nice. I'm planning on spending the morning opening random folders just for fun

Thanks again!

 

[jmjsquared]

Hah!

We showed that Gordion Knot who's boss, didn't we?

I think the delayed resume-from-sleep was 'normal', pretty much as when we reboot following installation of major updates.

Okay, now, for my final bit of blah-blah lecturing: After you're satisfied that all is stable:-
1. Run Windows Update multiple times, selecting and installing everything offered, except, of course, all those Language Packs AND except any driver updates. If a driver update is offered, note its version number and then cross-check with Acer to make sure they recommend it. If they do, get it from them! It's also a good idea to clean up your system before installing any significant update or software:

a. Run CCleaner to get rid of temp files, left-over logs, etc. DO NOT use its, nor any other's, Registry Cleaner.
b. Defrag (which should be done regularly, anyway. I like Diskeeper Corp.)
c. Monitor software installation with something like Comodo Program Manager.
​

2. After another day-or-so, if all is well, consider running Windows Disk Cleanup from the All Programs> Accessories> System Tools folder. Among others, you can choose to delete about a Gb worth of temporary files related to Sp1. NOTE: If you delete those files, then you will not be able to uninstall Sp1 in future.
3. From time-to-time, run Belarc Advisor and Aaron Stebner's .NET Verifier to make certain that none of your updates has been corrupted.
4. Remember the perfmon /report utility. Use it as a periodic health checkup.
5. Backup, backup, backup! I personally like Acronis True Image but there are many good choices, free and paid.
6. Enjoy all that folder-opening and right-clicking. You earned it.

All the best.

--- JMJ

 

[AlexIsAlex]

Good suggestions! Luckily I'm already healthily paranoid about data loss so I've got backups (of backups of backups). Running defrag now and will look into Comodo Program Manager - sounds like there are some nice features in there.

Cheers.

Alex

 

[maxseven]

Re: my own Acer getting stuck with "HDD Activity LED" lit, you said

An off-the-cuff guess is that your system is experiencing excessive read/writes to the Pagefile, which may be an indication of insufficient physical memory, a bad memory stick, faulty hard drive... Then, too, sometimes Windows Update (WU) installs "updated" drivers that simply do not work properly.

I'd not thought about the Pagefile; will mull that one thanks. My long-held belief is that I accidentally un-installed one of Acer's background utilities or some such. These things sure are littered with poorly documented "features"...

Congrats Alex on finding & fixing a Big Ugly!

 

[mikeyscott214]

hey guys i had the same problem where when i opened C: or Ex hard drive
explorer has stopped working, i removed asus web storage and now all is fine i hope this info my help some of you

 

[adikgemok]

Well SOLVED the problem today...its been months the error was bugging me...used the ShellExView 64 bit and "Disabled" all non Microsoft except Dropbox Ext...I guess the ASUS Web Storage might be the culprit for us with ASUS machines...

 

[maxseven]

Since you bumped this thread, I should insert here that my own problems with my Acer Netbook "freezing" with the HDD LED lit for long seconds (which I'd thought MIGHT be an Explorer issue) has been solved also: it was the Balanced power option that is set by default. Apparently the processor management feature does not work perfectly with the Netbook's Athlon Neo K125 processor.

In any case changing the setting from Balanced to Performance has eliminated the problem entirely. Only took me a couple years to find it!!!!

 

[adnerb]

windows explorer stopped working AND cannot see desktop to fix it

My friend has windows 7 home premium, and gets the error Windows Explorer has stopped working. Then his computer goes to a gray screen with no desktop and thus, he cannot access Start or Control Panel to implement any of the fixes. Any ideas on how to proceed?

 

[gregrocker]

Work through these same steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start