windows explorer crashes on right click

Anonymous
2009-03-30T20:59:37+00:00

Whenever I right click on a file in Windows Explorer I get a message that Windows Explorer has stopped working and then it shuts downto the desktop.  I am running Windows Vista Home Premium on a Gateway GT5228. It has 2 GB of ram and 140GB unused on the hard drive.  I have been running Vista for about a year and the problem just started about a week ago.  I hope somebody has a suggestion because at the moment I can't delete or rename anything.  I have run an antivirus and antispyware programs and have found nothing.  Any ideas will be greatly appreaciated.

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Ramesh 181.2K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2009-03-30T21:40:54+00:00

Hi ranma100,

Right-click crashes are caused by third-party shell extensions. You may use the excellent ShellExView tool to isolate the problem. For more information, see "Method 2" in article Right-click is slow or weird behavior caused by context menu handlers.

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Desktop Experience]

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  1. Anonymous
    2009-05-06T21:28:39+00:00

    Ha!  SecuRom was causing mine!

    CmdLineContextMenu Class S

    CmdLineContextMenu Class    Yes    Context Menu    SecuROM context menu for Explorer.    1,1,224,0        Sony DADC Austria AG.    No    No    No    No    No    No    C:\Windows\system32\CmdLineExt.dll  

    Well, I blame EA and Command and Conquer Red Alert 3.

    Not suprised though, RA3 use to have an issue where it would not start unless I disabled Process Explorer.

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  2. Ramesh 181.2K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2009-04-01T05:41:25+00:00

    You're welcome ranma100.

    Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Desktop Experience]

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  3. Anonymous
    2009-03-30T23:59:32+00:00

    That did the trick.  Thanks for the answer.  I was afraid I was going to have to reinstall windows.

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