Help! Explorer suffering from weird problems at startup


Recommended Posts

When I start my system, Explorer does not start.

When I open the task manager by ctrl+shift+esc, explorer.exe is listed as a running process occupying 11K of memory.

If I kill it, and try to start Explorer again from "Start New Task", nothing happens, except explorer is listed again in the running processes occupying the same 11K of memory.

Even if I start more instances, all these are listed as running, roughly taking up 1K memory.

In Start New Task, if I try to start something like "C:\ABCDEF", to try and get an explorer window or something manually, it just tells me that explorer has failed and will need to close.

I've tried checking for solutions, and somewhere, there was a talk of checking the registry value under Winlogon (under HKEY_CurrentMachine-software-microsoft-windowsNT-CurrentVersion) and check the value of Shell. It is listed as Explorer.exe only, so not problem there..

Nothing happens if I leave it like this. If, instead, I try and do some other stuff, like kill off svchost.exe, which is responsible for aero effects etc.,(works only sporadically), then explorer comes to life.

I run Windows 7 ultimate.. The system has BitDefender IS 2012, and I regularly scan for viruses etc. It's not a problem.

Please suggest a solution to this, It's extremely irritating to not have the explorer and keep on trying various things to get it running.

When I start my system, Explorer does not start.

When I open the task manager by ctrl+shift+esc, explorer.exe is listed as a running process occupying 11K of memory.

If I kill it, and try to start Explorer again from "Start New Task", nothing happens, except explorer is listed again in the running processes occupying the same 11K of memory.

Even if I start more instances, all these are listed as running, roughly taking up 1K memory.

In Start New Task, if I try to start something like "C:\ABCDEF", to try and get an explorer window or something manually, it just tells me that explorer has failed and will need to close.

I've tried checking for solutions, and somewhere, there was a talk of checking the registry value under Winlogon (under HKEY_CurrentMachine-software-microsoft-windowsNT-CurrentVersion) and check the value of Shell. It is listed as Explorer.exe only, so not problem there..

Nothing happens if I leave it like this. If, instead, I try and do some other stuff, like kill off svchost.exe, which is responsible for aero effects etc.,(works only sporadically), then explorer comes to life.

I run Windows 7 ultimate.. The system has BitDefender IS 2012, and I regularly scan for viruses etc. It's not a problem.

Please suggest a solution to this, It's extremely irritating to not have the explorer and keep on trying various things to get it running.

Best option is windows repair .If that doesnt work do fresh install (Its best option(my opinion)).

explorer problems are troublesome.

Best option is windows repair .If that doesnt work do fresh install (Its best option(my opinion)).

explorer problems are troublesome.

I don't wish to do a fresh install. And I don't have the repair DVD at hand. Is there any other way to do this...in a less...invasive, procedure?

Windows explorer. I have done the check.

Log file has been generated. What am I looking for, specifically, in this?

Sfc should fix all integrity violations automatically when using scannow. If it detects errors, but cannot fix them, then there is a serious issue with your windows installation. I cannot think of any way to fix something like this without a windows install disk. If you get an install disk, you should be able to do a repair install, which should replace the system files but leave your personal data.

Have you tried Windows key + E? What happens if you do that?

Nothing happens with any of the Windows Key combinations.

Sfc should fix all integrity violations automatically when using scannow. If it detects errors, but cannot fix them, then there is a serious issue with your windows installation. I cannot think of any way to fix something like this without a windows install disk. If you get an install disk, you should be able to do a repair install, which should replace the system files but leave your personal data.

I'm not in a position to get a recovery from anywhere. SFC/Scannow did detail some errors which it wasn't able to fix.

I'd keep it in hibernate, except that its battery is shot, and if there's a power cut, it'll go off anyway.

Nothing happens with any of the Windows Key combinations.

I'm not in a position to get a recovery from anywhere. SFC/Scannow did detail some errors which it wasn't able to fix.

I'd keep it in hibernate, except that its battery is shot, and if there's a power cut, it'll go off anyway.

You can legally download the disk images for windows 7. Should be easy to find using google. With the image, you can burn a DVD or make a bootable USB. Since sfc cannot correct the issues you're experiencing, that means that your windows installation has been corrupted to the point that it cannot repair itself. There is no way to solve that issue without an install image.

System restore ?

When did it start happening

The sfc /scannow should have told you if there were corrupt / missing files and if it repaired them, and to reboot if it was able to replace them or not

I believe it logs the scan here

C:\Windows\Logs\CBS

I still give something like "malwarebytes" and "hijack this" a scan to be sure

download windows 8 (you mitght not like it if you dont like metro look) .its free i guess ...

Need to avoid a fresh install.

Well, if there's really no other option,as the scannow is indeed throwing corrupt files at me, I guess I'll have to start looking for a repair disk.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Posts

    • Why was it necessary to use AI to help write this article? Can we no longer do our own research or our own writing?
    • The auto industry really needs to update it's terminology so a software update isn't called a recall.
    • Anybody that thinks flying cars were possible are idiots. Everyone would basically need a pilot licence, can you imagine how insane and dangerous that would be, people can barely handle driving on land safely right now.
    • Microsoft Edge 149.0.4022.80 by Razvan Serea Microsoft Edge is a super fast and secure web browser from Microsoft. It works on almost any device, including PCs, iPhones and Androids. It keeps you safe online, protects your privacy, and lets you browse the web quickly. You can even use it on all your devices and keep your browsing history and favorites synced up. Built on the same technology as Chrome, Microsoft Edge has additional built-in features like Startup boost and Sleeping tabs, which boost your browsing experience with world class performance and speed that are optimized to work best with Windows. Microsoft Edge security and privacy features such as Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, Password Monitor, InPrivate search, and Kids Mode help keep you and your loved ones protected and secure online. Microsoft Edge has features to keep both you and your family protected. Enable content filters and access activity reports with your Microsoft Family Safety account and experience a kid-friendly web with Kids Mode. The new Microsoft Edge is now compatible with your favorite extensions, so it’s easy to personalize your browsing experience. Microsoft Edge 149.0.4022.80 changelog: Fixes Fixed an issue that prevented QR code generation from working. Feature updates Intune MAM Protected Downloads. The protected downloads feature for Intune MAM will now save downloaded files to the Documents > Microsoft Edge > Downloads folder in OneDrive. Extensions monitoring in the Edge management service. The Microsoft Edge management service now allows admins to gain visibility into extensions installed across their managed users. From the extensions monitoring page, admins can see which extensions have been installed as well as manage user requests for blocked extensions. For more information, see Microsoft Edge Extensions Monitoring. Validate Edge builds early with enterprise preview. Enterprise preview provides a simpler way for admins to flight pre-release Edge builds to their users. To reduce friction and bolster usage, users will receive pre-release builds directly inside of their Stable Edge application. Admins can allow users to easily opt-out of the preview experience, using built-in rollback to switch between their pre-release and stable channels with ease. Microsoft 365 admin center users can configure the feature, view their flighting population, and receive personalized recommendations all in one place. For more information, see Get started with Enterprise Preview in Microsoft Edge. Download: Microsoft Edge (64-bit) | 193.0 MB (Freeware) Download: Microsoft Edge (32-bit) | 170.0 MB Download: Microsoft Edge (ARM64) | 188.0 MB View: Microsoft Edge Website | Release History Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • The machines are starting to fight back any way they can.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Year In
      Skeet Campbell earned a badge
      One Year In
    • One Month Later
      Sharbel earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • First Post
      BizSAR earned a badge
      First Post
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      598
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      189
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      78
    4. 4
      Michael Scrip
      76
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      69
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!