"Windows Explorer has stopped working": The inevitable defeat

[Epic B]

I have Windows 7, and am currently running from safe mode okay. I am experiencing the awful error known as "Windows Explorer has stopped working". I have some files that were made in a Linux distro on the desktop, and that seems to be the culprit. Running from Safe Mode, I can use Win7 okay even with the recurring error, but I want to prevent it from happening at all, any time. How can I stop it? I've been trying to delete all the Linux made files in Safe Mode, but I still get the error whenever I try.

I am also running a scan in Command Prompt. It didn't fix the error, it just gave me a log, aka "TL;DR".

 

[Grayfox]

In the CMD prompt run "rstrui.exe" to start system restore and go back at least a month.

 

[Epic B]

In the CMD prompt run "rstrui.exe" to start system restore and go back at least a month.

That could work, but this has been a problem since August, and I tried it before, and it didn't help.

 

[gt5 fan]

Get a mac and use safari. .

 

[DQuaN]

Have you tried doing a startup repair? Also have you scanned your machine for malware?

 

[Epic B]

The Recovery Envionment? I know that menu, and I can get to it fine. Maybe I'll try some things there.

 

[Grayfox]

You can also try running SFC /SCANNOW in the CMD prompt as admin.

I would think this is a malware type thing.

Registry editing may fix the issue but I will not tell anyone how to do this on a forum or phone or any other method where I can't see what is happening.

 

[Epic B]

I tried sfc/scannow from the command line in Safe Mode, but it didn't help.

 

[Grayfox]

Then it may be a malware type thing that has hooked on to the explorer.exe reg entry.

The best way to try to fix it is by searching the registry for "explorer.exe" and then using common sense.

If you see something like "explorer.exe crcss.exe" or similar back up that entry and remove the second part leaving the explorer.exe part alone.

I do not recommend messing with the registry at all if you do not want to risk preventing windows from booting all together.

 

[DKLion3s]

Get a mac and use safari. .

Safari runs on PCs too, even better w/ Win 7 platform.

Now, on topic. Naveek, from safe mode you can do one of two things. You can uninstall IE or stop it from loading on bootup.

Then go to your windows load file, and reinstall IE from the original Win 7 installation files, located on the PC. The path is C:\Programfiles\Windows\InternetExplorer\ieinstall.exe


In the future, always perform a back-up of your PC, atleast once a week, so that way you'll have a bootdisk. Speaking of bootdisk. Do you have the discs that came with the PC?

If you do, you can attempt to reload the entire IE application from that disk.

DK.

 

[Epic B]

You're confusing Windows Explorer, the file manager, with Internet Explorer, the web browser. Internet Explorer is not the problem, as I never use it, cause I use Google Chrome. The computer (I got it brand new) didn't have any boot disks for something like that. While the computer was still working, I made a boot disk, but it's unnecessary as I can get to the Recovery Environment just fine without it. But I'll try what's been said.

 

[DKLion3s]

Any luck with resolving this problem, Naveek?

Yep, I sure did swap WE for IE, however, it works the same for all original software that's loaded upon purchase of a PC. All install (***.exe) files are on the hard-drive under WIN~ or WIN__.001, or somewhere thereabout, depending on the load profile used to partition/sys the hard drive. Substitute one for the other.

DK.

 

[Epic B]

I haven't been working on it, been using Linux.

 

[Ibonibo]

Try this 2 steps:

1. Recovery. Set your computer to time back when everything was working.

2: if 1 is not working, insert the Win7 Cd in the drive while still in windows and take the repair option.

The explorer stop working can come from so many problems that it won't be easy. Maybe try a log program to see what the computer does before it starts hanging itself.

You can also try to set up a custom start up (type msconfig in cmd or run...)

 

[Epic B]

System Restore didn't work. I don't have a install disc. The computer came with Win7.

 

[thechosenwonton]

How about you post said TL;DR log? Not giving me much to go on here...

 

[Epic B]

I'll post the log tomorrow.

 

[Grayfox]

System Restore didn't work. I don't have a install disc. The computer came with Win7.

What brand is the PC?

To start the Windows Recovery Environment press this key during POST.

Acer/EMachines/Gateway: ALT+F10
Asus: F9
HP/Compaq: F11
Sony: F10/Assist Key

 

[Epic B]

Well, I decided to go back to this today, and Windows is working alright. I'm not using any of those computers, I use a Toshiba laptop. After deciding to try and win this boss battle, I went out of Linux and went into Win7. The computer booted normally, just like I remembered it did. Sweet. I uninstalled some programs I hardly used, and a program wanted me to reboot after uninstalling. So I did, and CHKDSK ran before redirecting me to an actual boot, and Windows is running like it used to. Sweet. I win. It was worth coming back to this after 3 months.

 

[christara321]

Well, I decided to go back to this today, and Windows is working alright. I'm not using any of those computers, I use a Toshiba laptop. After deciding to try and win this boss battle, I went out of Linux and went into Win7. The computer booted normally, just like I remembered it did. Sweet. I uninstalled some programs I hardly used, and a program wanted me to reboot after uninstalling. So I did, and CHKDSK ran before redirecting me to an actual boot, and Windows is running like it used to. Sweet. I win. It was worth coming back to this after 3 months.

Am glad to see your running ok.
But what has said in previous posts, Highly recommend getting Malware bytes.
Has this problem can rear its ugly head again an again?

And In my opinion its definately malware that has cuased this.

In the future if it stops then its been stopped by a program, (Malware) Open task manager, (Ctrl/Shift key and Esc.) Then goto PROCESS TAB and END explorer.exe yourself also if you see it in there?
Then click on APPLICATIONS TAB and then new task in the bottom right hand corner, And when done just write in the new menu explorer.exe and it should come back up and running.
Chat soon bye for now.

 

[Epic B]

I don't think it was malware, it was just a legit file from Linux, I don't know what happened. It's fixed though, and I know how to fix it if it ever happens later.