Solved "Windows Explorer has stopped working" on startup after update

[chaosed0]

"Windows Explorer has stopped working" on startup after update

After updating yesterday, explorer.exe no longer starts correctly, either on startup or manually. A windows restore to before my latest updates fixes the problem, but installing the updates causes the problem again. I do want to keep the system up to date, so I figure I shouldn't just turn automatic updates off. Some notes:

• I sit on the "Welcome" screen after logging in for longer than usual before getting to the desktop.
• "Personalized Settings" seems to be what's causing the issue - this is the window that freezes.
• I don't have a start bar.
• Everything else works fine - I can launch programs through the command line or task manager, including windows explorer.
• My wallpaper no longer loads - or, to be more precise, it's just a black color.
• I have DisplayFusion installed, but I uninstalled it and this had no effect.

Here's a screenshot of the symptom along with my recent update history.

I'm not totally averse to reinstalling windows, but I do want to make sure the same thing doesn't just happen again. Anyone have ideas?

 

[andrew129260]

Please Run sfc /scan now using option 2 in this tutorial: SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

Please post back the results.

Or option 1 at boot might be easier for you.

 

[Sir George]

After updating yesterday, explorer.exe no longer starts correctly, either on startup or manually. A windows restore to before my latest updates fixes the problem, but installing the updates causes the problem again. I do want to keep the system up to date, so I figure I shouldn't just turn automatic updates off. Some notes:

• I sit on the "Welcome" screen after logging in for longer than usual before getting to the desktop.
• "Personalized Settings" seems to be what's causing the issue - this is the window that freezes.
• I don't have a start bar.
• Everything else works fine - I can launch programs through the command line or task manager, including windows explorer.
• My wallpaper no longer loads - or, to be more precise, it's just a black color.
• I have DisplayFusion installed, but I uninstalled it and this had no effect.

Here's a screenshot of the symptom along with my recent update history.

I'm not totally averse to reinstalling windows, but I do want to make sure the same thing doesn't just happen again. Anyone have ideas?

Are you familiar with checking update history? You can selectively remove updates or rollback the computer and selectively install them. By doing so, you can isolate the problem update and then check the purpose or reason for the update which may or may not apply to you.

HTH

 

[Mellon Head]

Do you see a watermark in the lower right corner of the main screen? The screen where your wallpaper should be?

 

[chaosed0]

Do you see a watermark in the lower right corner of the main screen? The screen where your wallpaper should be?

No watermark. I'm aware that this is something that happens when you don't have genuine windows - I acquired this copy through my school's MSDNAA program, so it shouldn't be an issue.

Are you familiar with checking update history? You can selectively remove updates or rollback the computer and selectively install them. By doing so, you can isolate the problem update and then check the purpose or reason for the update which may or may not apply to you.

HTH

There were ten or fifteen updates that I'd installed at once - might be time consuming. I figured I'd post here first, to see if anyone had a quick idea. This will be my next step though.

Please Run sfc /scan now using option 2 in this tutorial: SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

Please post back the results.

Or option 1 at boot might be easier for you.

Sorry, I forgot to say - I already did this. Still, I did it again, just to make sure:

C:\Windows\system32>sfc /scannow

Beginning system scan.  This process will take some time.

Beginning verification phase of system scan.
Verification 100% complete.

Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.

 

[Mellon Head]

No watermark. I'm aware that this is something that happens when you don't have genuine windows - I acquired this copy through my school's MSDNAA program, so it shouldn't be an issue.

I was just wondering if the updates accidentally invalidated your copy of Windows. It's been known to happen.

 

[chaosed0]

I was just wondering if the updates accidentally invalidated your copy of Windows. It's been known to happen.

No problem - I wasn't taking offense. In any case, no watermark.

 

[dstutzman]

Try removing the following update:

Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2926765)

You can do this by booting into safe mode, opening "Programs and Features" in Control Panel, and then selecting "View installed updates" from the left panel.

This update caused the same explorer.exe crash for me, and removing it resolved the issue. I do, however, still see a "Windows Explorer has stopped working" message every time I boot up, but the process just restarts and I'm able to use my computer normally. Hopefully Microsoft releases a patch for this soon.

 

[andrew129260]

Thanks for the sfc scan.

Since you stated system restore resolved the issue, do it again.

Then before manually installing them, disable your antivirus protection and all programs running-as well as by the clock.

Then install the updates 1 by 1 until you find the exact update causing the issue. When you find out which one it is post back.

 

[seanmcc]

I apologize for being a "me too", but I am having the exact same problem. If you have been able to narrow down the exact update causing the issue, I would be grateful for the information.

If not, I will join you in your quest as soon as I can. Hopefully dstutzman is correct and simply ignoring that update will avoid any problems.

 

[chaosed0]

Try removing the following update:

Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2926765)

You can do this by booting into safe mode, opening "Programs and Features" in Control Panel, and then selecting "View installed updates" from the left panel.

This update caused the same explorer.exe crash for me, and removing it resolved the issue. I do, however, still see a "Windows Explorer has stopped working" message every time I boot up, but the process just restarts and I'm able to use my computer normally. Hopefully Microsoft releases a patch for this soon.

This did it - thanks for the tip.

I understand the need to narrow down the issue, but having fixed it by uninstalling and ignoring this update, I don't have the patience to go back and try uninstalling each one individually.

Anyway, thanks for the help guys.

 

[Stbilyumchill]

Removing Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2926765) also resolved the issue for me.

 

[EToft]

I have an older PC running Vista Home Premium, and had this same problem. Un-installing the KB2926765 update fixed this issue too. Come on MS...why do you break your own OS?!?!?!

 

[Hane24]

I've been having the same issue, but I can not even boot into safe mode. i've tried system restoring to months ago and it hasn't helped. The moment it logs in whether or not its in safe mode explorer.exe stops working and i sit there with a black screen. sfc /scannow does nothing. I've ran it over 10 times now. Uninstalling that specific update did me no good.

 

[Psicross]

I know this is an old thread but thought I could add some new information. Experienced the same issue with the updates around 3/12/2015. On startup explorer.exe would crash and the window for personalized settings would be in the back. Starting task manager and running a new task with explorer.exe yielded no results. This thread helped me get a clue of the cause of the issue and through trial and error the update that cause my issue was (KB3033929). I just used task manager to navigate to Programs and Features and deleted the update and my explorer.exe is working again. Just giving back to the community.

 

[archer305]

Simple Solution for me

I don't usually post that often to groups such as this, but I had the exact same problem and it was driving me nuts. I found a quick solution.

Use ctrl+shift+esc to get to your task manager. Click "Show processes from all users". Go to file ->New Task. Type "explorer.exe" and tick the "create this task with administrative privileges".

Apparently, the morons at Microsoft didn't give their personalization setting configurator the access it needs to update your settings. Do this, and it will have permission. Problem solved.

 

[thanns]

another windows update to be removed

Just an fyi - I followed the instructions on this forum and resolved this issue. Then in June of 2015, it happened again. This time I had to remove KB3033890.

 

[NITEMRE]

Just an fyi - I followed the instructions on this forum and resolved this issue. Then in June of 2015, it happened again. This time I had to remove KB3033890.

Made an account here just to say thank you this fixed it for me aswell, i tried 100 different things and this worked!!

 

[Creoix]

So after a lot of searching, I found what the problem was for my computer. I had the program Synergy installed, and it was causing this issue to happen. By Uninstalling Synergy, Windows Explorer no longer crashes, and everything works fine.