Windows Explorer in Windows 7 keeps crashing and restarting

Anonymous
2009-11-26T02:42:50+00:00

It happens at random times...but conveniently after a Windows update. I'll be looking up a file...or trying to delete a file, then all of a sudden, i see the little progress bar thing and it's closing Explorer, then that goes away and another one shows up saying "Restarting Windows Explorer"...I've ran a few virus scans in case it's a virus...but I don't think that's the case.

Oh and I noticed that a lot of the problems reported were from people that upgraded to Windows 7...my laptop is a new computer that came pre-loaded with Windows 7.

Anyone else in my shoes? Does anyone know if Microsoft is working on this issue?

*original title - Windows Explorer in Windows 7 keeps crashing...then trying to restart...anyone else have that problem? Anyone know if Microsoft is working on an update or something to fix it?*

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2010-01-15T17:15:30+00:00

Just in case you haven't fixed this issue yet. I had the exact same problem and found a pretty fast and painless solution. I can't tell you why it was happening, but the fix worked. And it didn't involve disabling my video card drivers (make NO sense, doing this would pretty much make your video card useless...not an option for me when I bought a $600 video card).

Navigate to this folder (assuming your Windows is installed on your C:\ drive):

C:\Windows <- Inside this folder you should find the file "explorer.exe". Select that and press "CTRL+C" (this will copy the file, do NOT cut, just copy).

Then paste the copied file into:

C:\Windows\System32

And like magic, no more explorer crashing :). Hope that helps!

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Anonymous
2009-11-27T01:08:13+00:00

Hi SonyBoy_Fusion,Welcome to Microsoft Windows 7 Answers Forum! 

Method 1

Please check whether you face the same issue while working in the safe mode.

Step 1 Safe Mode

  1. Restart your computer.
  2. When the computer starts you will see your computer's hardware being listed. When you see this information start to gently tap the F8 key on your keyboard repeatedly until you are presented with the Windows 7 Advanced Boot Options screen.
  3. Using the arrow keys, select the Safe Mode option you want.
  4. Then press the enter key on your keyboard to boot into Windows 7 Safe Mode.
  5. When Windows starts you will be at a typical logon screen. Logon to your computer and Windows 7 will enter Safe mode.
  6. Do whatever tasks you require, and when you are done, reboot to go back into normal mode.

Steps 2. Clean Boot

If the issue existed in Safe Mode perform Clean Boot troubleshooting to find the root cause of  the issue:

Clean Boot Troubleshooting:

  1. Click Start, type msconfig in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.

   User Account Control permission.

   If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the

   password, Or click Continue.

  1. On the General tab, click Selective Startup.
  2. Under Selective Startup, click to clear the Load Startup items check box.
  3. Click the Services tab, click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, and then click Disable All.
  4. Click OK.
  5. When you are prompted, click Restart.
  6. After the computer starts, check whether the problem is resolved.

If the issue is resolved check which third party is causing the problem, referring the link given below:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

  1. Also you need to uninstall and reinstall the problem software on your computer.

Reset the computer to start as usual  

  1. After you have finished troubleshooting, follow these steps to reset the computer to start as usual:

Click Start, type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER. 

  1. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue. On the General tab, click the Normal Startup option, and then click OK.  
  2. When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Restart.

**Method 2.**I would also recommend you to run online Virus Scan to remove any infections, if present.

Follow the link below to run the free online scan:

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

The following thread discusses about removing viruses and malware online:

http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistasecurity/thread/ba80504b-61f1-4d71-960f-b561798b7b42

Hope it helps. 

Thanks and Regards:

**Shekhar S - Microsoft Support.**Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-01-31T18:37:16+00:00

    Hello:

     If you have attempted any or all of the steps listed in this thread, but are still having an issue, please repost this as a new question.  Include any steps you have attempted along with additional system and error information. 

    Microsoft Answers:

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-01-26T03:01:32+00:00

    Amen to Tallblonde01

    To think that there are SO many of us out here with this ISSUE & NOT one single one of the suggestions has YET to fix my issue is Appalling somewhat!

    It is a ROYAL PIMA!   I too have a custom built Computer with TONS of RAM & MEMORY, Processors etc...etc...& when I go into a file & mistakenly Right Click it....& Windows Explorer comes CRASHING DOWN....shutting all of my open programs & restarting it is MOST frustrating & Time consuming! 

    I too...Defrag Regularly....run Anti Virus & Spy Ware cks weekly....doesn't matter...I was told possibly to reinstall Windows 7....made that attempt only to find that the UPDATES done had to be REMOVED FIRST!  REALLY!!!!!  WTF happened to EASILY being able to reinstall over the software there!?   I Can't Fkn afford to clean install losing everything do to work!

    Absolutely CRAZY!

    So....if anyone has any other bright ideas...please keep them coming...so far it's not the Nvidia Card....its not Asus...it's not Explorer.exe.....it's nothing mentioned!

    Thanks,

    TST

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-01-26T01:23:57+00:00

    This only made things WORSE for me! Please be careful...

    It has been a few weeks since I had the same problem as stated on the past 10 pages here and I finally had to go to Microsoft directly. Even then, it took a few calls and many emails and my problem has been 'worked around' but not really ever solved.

    Not only was WINDOWS EXPLORER crashing on me-but the Windows search engine did the same thing-every time!! I am a graphics artist by profession and being able to use the Desktop search engine is ESSENTIAL to my daily life. :)

    What I am writing about is really not a question...probably more of a complaint. Does anybody really EVER know what is wrong? After reading the prior 10 pages of answers and seeing how many different answers there are-well, it just blows my mind! (and the same for the different amount of results) I realize people are trying to HELP but I'd also like to know WHY I have problems every single time I have a Windows update?

    I have a great customized PC, lots of ram and storage space! I have four Intel processors and a huge amount of storage space. But best of all, I have Windows 7 Ultimate. :) I defrag regularly and scan for viruses at least, weekly. I shouldn't be having these problems!

    Mr. Bill Gates: You changed my life! But for someone with so much money...can't you at least design a software program that works-98% of the time?

    SIncerely,

    tallblonde01

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