"Windows Explorer Has Stopped Working"

[HDM]

Hi all,

You can get my problem by reading the thread name. Why does this keep happening?

Sometimes happens when I try to run a specific mkv file & sometimes when going into a folder.

By running CCleaner, I can play the mkv file.

But this just keeps happening over & over. Now I have to run CCleaner & Use De-Fragmentation 3-4 times a day.

I was wondering if there was a solution to this problem.

Thanks in advance!

HDM

 

[brianzion]

hi there
first thing to do is:

Perform a SFC Scan (System File Check)

1. Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow

2. Type the following command, sfc /scannow and then press ENTER:

(A message will appear stating that 'The system scan will begin'. Be patient because the scan may take some time)

3. If any files require a replace SFC will replace them. You may be asked to insert your Windows 7 DVD for this process to continue

4. If everything is okay you should, after the scan, see the following message "Windows resource protection did not find any integrity violations"

5. After the scan has completed, close the command prompt window, restart the computer. (TIP repeat scan 3 times)

How to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files on Windows Vista or on Windows 7 >>> How to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files on Windows Vista or on Windows 7

 

[brianzion]

second thing to try is downloading ShellExView v1.65 - Shell Extensions Manager

Download here for Windows 7 64 BIT >>> http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shexview-x64.zip

Disable/Enable Shell Extensions

The ShellExView utility allows you to disable and enable the shell extensions components on your system. In order to disable or enable a shell extension item, select the desired item, and from the File menu (or from the pop-up menu) select the appropriate option - "Enable Selected Items" or "Disable Selected Items".
Here's 2 examples of useful things that you can do with this feature:
Context Menu: Some applications, like WinZip, CuteFTP, and others, add some items to the context menu when you right-click on a file in explorer window. If you disable the appropriate shell extension, you won't get these additional menu items.
In order to locate the desired shell extension item:
Sort the extensions list by the "Type" column and look at all "Context Menu" items.
Search the application that creates the menu you want to disable. The icon near each item can help to locate the desired shell extension.
Shell Folder: When you enter into some special folders like "History" and "Temporary Internet Files", you don't see the real file system, but the a virtual folder that the shell extension create for you. If you want to watch the real file system inside "History" or "Temporary Internet Files", you can disable the appropriate shell extension items.

Description

Shell Extensions are in-process COM objects which extends the abilities of Windows operating system. Most shell extensions are automatically installed by the operating system, but there are also many other applications that install additional shell extension components. For example: If you install WinZip on your computer, you'll see a special WinZip menu when you right-click on a Zip file. This menu is created by adding a shell extension to the system.
The ShellExView utility displays the details of shell extensions installed on your computer, and allows you to easily disable and enable each shell extension.

**Please read this at the following link >>>Right-click is slow or weird behavior caused by context menu handlers link >>> Right-click is slow or weird behavior caused by context menu handlers

Error message "Windows Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience"

These problems are caused by a bad context menu handler. A context menu handler is a shell extension handler that adds commands to an existing context menu (Example: cut, copy, paste, print, Scan with Norton etc). A poorly coded context menu handler may be causing any of the above symptoms. As context menu handlers can be added in different areas (file class, folder, allfilesystemobjects, HKCR\* registry keys), it's a difficult task for an end-user to pinpoint which shell extension is causing the problem.

Effective usage of ShellExView to resolve right-click problems

Download ShellExView (from nirsoft.net) and run it. It will scan the registry for all the shell extensions. Once the scan is over and the list is displayed, you need to spot the context menu handlers. Sort the results using "Type", so that the context menu handlers are displayed together.

The rule is to disable non-Microsoft context menu handlers *one-by-one* and verify if the problem is solved. If disabling one does not solve the problem, undo the disabled item and disable the next non-Microsoft handler. Do the same until the problem is solved and finally identify the culprit. Scroll right to see the Company Name column in ShellExView.

 

[brianzion]

also it may be worth deleting your temp files manually (using windows run)

on the keyboard use this method press winkey + r type %temp% press enter select all files right click and click delete. some files will not be able to delete (see snap shot)

 

[HDM]

Hi Brian

First of all, thank you very much for the help you have given. I'm really speechless! Could anyone be more kind?!

And I'm in between the process now, I will let you know how it turns out.

Cheers!
HDM

 

[brianzion]

that's ok
please read everything so you understand the program its easy to use after a couple of times using, its solved explorer problems for me crashes/restarts some programs just don't work with explorer to well in the context menu on the desktop/files.

 

[brianzion]

here is another good program that everyone should have in there toolbox! for looking at your start-up programs

Autoruns for Windows v10.06 >>> http://download.sysinternals.com/Files/Autoruns.zip

Autoruns for Windows

there is also a sysinternals suite of diagnostic programs >>>

http://download.sysinternals.com/Files/SysinternalsSuite.zip

Sysinternals Suite

Introduction Autoruns

This utility, which has the most comprehensive knowledge of auto-starting locations of any startup monitor, shows you what programs are configured to run during system bootup or login, and shows you the entries in the order Windows processes them. These programs include ones in your startup folder, Run, RunOnce, and other Registry keys. You can configure Autoruns to show other locations, including Explorer shell extensions, toolbars, browser helper objects, Winlogon notifications, auto-start services, and much more. Autoruns goes way beyond the MSConfig utility bundled with Windows Me and XP.

Autoruns' Hide Signed Microsoft Entries option helps you to zoom in on third-party auto-starting images that have been added to your system and it has support for looking at the auto-starting images configured for other accounts configured on a system. Also included in the download package is a command-line equivalent that can output in CSV format, Autorunsc.

You'll probably be surprised at how many executables are launched automatically!

Sysinternals Suite
By Mark Russinovich The Sysinternals Troubleshooting Utilities have been rolled up into a single Suite of tools. This file contains the individual troubleshooting tools and help files.

 

[brianzion]

have you had any development on your problem ?

 

[HDM]

Ah! Yes, I was just about to reply.

Yes, mate. After performing your steps, I have not had the problem since. So, I'm hoping it's taken care of

Again, thanks a lot for your help and cheers!

HDM

 

[brianzion]

well done so i will ask for this to be marked solved

 

[HDM]

OK.

And thanks again