Windows Explorer is an essential program of the Windows operating system. It is one of the backbones of the operating system powering not only file browsing and operations but also the taskbar and start menu.
The message “Windows Explorer has stopped working” is relatively common judging from the number of web pages and solutions that users and webmasters have posted over the years on the Internet.
The goal of this troubleshooting guide is to provide users who are experiencing the Windows Explorer error with the most common solutions and fixes.
Windows Explorer Has Stopped Working
Solution 1: File Check
This solution checks the operating system for missing and corrupt files and replaces them with the original file version to make sure only valid files are used. This helps in cases of data corruption and malicious attacks that have modified or deleted core operating system files.
1. Click Start, and then type cmd in the Start Search box.
2. In the results area, right-click cmd.exe, and then click Run as administrator. You will be prompted to type the password for an administrator account. Click Continue if you are the administrator or type the administrator password. Then, click Continue.
3. At the command prompt, type Sfc /scannow, and then press ENTER..
Solution 2: Scan Disk
The files and folders may be valid but it can still be that the hard drive has bad sectors or other problems that lead to this Windows Explorer error message. Scanning the hard drive that Windows is installed on for disk errors is another option to resolve the issue.
1. Open the Start Menu and click on the computer link.
2. Right-click the hard drive that Windows is installed on (usually c:) and select Properties from the context menu.
3. Switch to the Tools tab and select the Check Now button under Error-checking
4. Make sure that both options are selected before you press the Start button.
5. The Disk check needs to be scheduled as the disk is in use when the operating system is running. It will start the scan automatically on the next startup.
Solution 3: Updates
Make sure your system is up to date. Check for Windows updates (via Start button > all programs > Windows Update) and software updates if the software is running in the background. Make sure you update drivers for the hardware as well (especially video card)
Solution 4: Scan the system with security software
A virus or other malicious software might be the cause for the issues with Windows Explorer. Scanning the system with security applications ensures that no virus or other malicious code is running on the system that is causing the problems.
Check out this extensive listing of security applications. Recommended are for instance Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, DrWeb and Gmer. You might want to run at least one program in the categories anti-malware/spyware, anti-rootkit and anti-virus.
Solution 4: Disable Third party services and tools
Another possible cause for the Windows Explorer has stopped working error message is a third party program or service that might be conflicting with it.
To eliminate that possibility we need to disable all third party services and programs. This is best done in the System Configuration tool.
1. Click on the start button, type in msconfig in the run form and select the Msconfig tool from the search results.
2. Switch to the Startup tab first and remove all selected entries there. Please note that this can mean that a security software is disabled. You might want to keep that checked just in case. It can however be the cause for the explorer problems.
3. Switch to the Services tab and check “Hide all Microsoft services” at the bottom. This ensures that only third party services are displayed. Disable all the selected services as well and restart the computer afterwards.
Solution 6: Check For Memory Problems
This can be done in Vista and Windows 7. Click on the start button, type mem and hit enter. This will open the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool which will perform a memory scan on the next system startup.
Solution 7: Corrupt non-system files
The error message can appear if the Windows desktop or the startup directory of Windows Explorer contains corrupt files. The most common cause are multimedia files that are corrupt. It can also be that you are only experiencing the issue when opening a specific folder or drive in Windows Explorer.
Try to locate the corrupt file and move it or delete it so that it resolves the problems. If you cannot use Windows Explorer to delete or mote the files use the command line to do so.
This sevens solutions have resolved the “Windows Explorer Has Stopped Working” issue in the past. You might want to check the Event Viewer if the problem persists or fall back to a previous system restore point to resolve it.
Have you been experiencing this error message? If so, what have you done to resolve it?
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I think solution 4 is the preferred solution.
Most of the internet explorer errors (as far as ´my experience tells me) has to do with third party add-ons and toolbars.
KISS is the way to go. (Keep It Simple, Stupid) ;-)
Hi,
The first solution has helped me recently when I had two problems :
- at the closure of the PC, explorer.exe refuses to close automatically;
- from time to time, I received an error message saying that a fault imposed the closure of explorer.
You forget to mention that sfc/scannow asks to insert the original CD of Windows and – in the case of XP – it may request the CD of XP Professional, while XP Home is installed on the PC.
The solution to this problem:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/897128
I had the “Windows Explorer Has Stopped Working” problem and was moments away from re-formatting. I then came across this website and started with Solution 1 and it fixed the problem. Thank you so much for posting this!
I wasn’t actually able to access the sfc/sccannow until i was in safe mode. To get into safe mode, when booting up your computer, repeatedly press F8, then select safe mode.
Thank you very much for posting this. I’ve had this problem for weeks, and even though it was a minor annoyance, it was starting to really get to me. I was convinced that I would have to format and reinstall everything to fix it. Luckily, Solution #1 was all I needed.
Thanks again!
my problem not solve still “windows explorer has stopped working” when i open “my blutooth places” in my computer.
please help me..
thanks
I’m still getting the error. Is there any other methods to fix the problem?
Ever tried the Microsoft AutoFixIt-center.
Lots and lots of automatic fixes and a whol section (tab) about Internet explorer error-fixes.
http://support.microsoft.com/fixit
my system with windows Vista has somthing like this,
the “windows explorer has stopped working”
as an error but only for 1 user profile.
the other 4 profiles on the system have no problem.
and it happens when you start up explorer .
not sure if any of the above fixes is realy what I need here.
any Ideas on why , and how to fix it ?
Thank you so much! solution one in the one :)
Had same problem. Tech suggested I run ccleaner.exe and it solved problems on that machine and my other 2 machines in non-related areas. Now I wouldn’t be without it!
Do you have all the buttons checked off for the cc cleaner?
Will you lose and cookies / passwords or anything g else that I may have stored ?
I found this site after I fixed this issue on my system running Windows 7 Ultimate (64 bit). This issue should not take an OS reload as many other troubleshooting forums recommended!!! I was plagued with this “Windows Explorer has stopped working” problem for over a week and tried every thin I could think of (SFC, chkdsk /f, driver rollbacks, several different virus/malware scans, In-Place Upgrade, etc.) in an attempt to resolve the issue. Through this entire ordeal I could still access Windows in normal mode, just had to clear the error every time I booted. Nothing in device manager was splatted or appeared to have a problem in anyway. So, I did not believe it was a driver issue; however, I booted to safe mode and the error did not occur. Naturally I started thinking there was a problem with a driver or something in startup. I updated all my drivers for my ASUS M4A79T Deluxe (64bit) motherboard (including the integrated audio driver) to the highest beta version ASUS listed which made the problem intermittent instead of every time I booted to normal mode. Some progress was being made at this point. I checked device manager again and still nothing was splatted or indicated a problem of any kind. I decided to download and reinstall my ASUS EAH6870 display driver for both of my video cards, restarted and the problem was gone.
I honestly believe about 99% of these errors are related to invisible driver issues. Just remember, even though nothing is splatted in device manager doesn’t mean a device driver isn’t causing windows some sort of an issue. If you have this problem, update motherboard, video and audio drivers first, and then proceed on with other troubleshooting, if necessary. Just a note on the use of SFC: If you have never run it before it does not have the baseline file catalogue to compare your files to so it won’t find a problem. That’s why I run SFC every time I load any major update so it records the changes and knows what files and their sizes are supposed to be present. I hope this helps someone and saves them all the time I spent troubleshooting and fixing this problem. Have a great New Year all!!!
solution 4 is listed twice.
No solution 5 given.
running through the steps to resolve issue on a brand new Dell Vostro 3500 with 7 professional.
thankful for your site and steps provided
Iv had this problem fo over a month and was realy stating to get on my nervs, solution 1 was all it took so a very big thanks.
I have struggled with this issue for months as everyone else has – and I tried most every proposed solution – all to no avail. Only thing I didn’t do is the “turn off everything via MSCONFIG – just too painful for me”.
I’ve finally solved the problem on my machine – on my machine the issue is definitely the NVIDIA driver.
I finally got ShellExView from http://www.nirsoft.net/ – and – since my lockup would frequently occur if I right clicked the desktop – I disabled the “DesktopContext Class” – which was linked to the “NVIDIA User Experience Driver Component”… (I also disabled “Briefcase” since it was a Context Menu and I never use it… and didn’t reenable it to see if that was the problem – just glad the issue appears to be gone.)
Voila – NO PROBLEMS… Finally – it’s working…
I hope this might help someone else … I know I’ve spent HOURS and HOURS trying to fix this – and cursing this …
Harold Gray
OK…but what if the “Windows Explorer Has Stopped Working” message pops up before you can do anything in Windows? Mine comes up IMMEDIATELY (and reappears immediately if I tell it to restart the program), so I can’t get my Start menu to open.
This is Windows 7, btw.
The recovery console offered the option of checking the memory, which I did (and it found no problems).
I can get to the Command Prompt by running in Safe mode with Command Prompt, but Command Prompt is pretty much the only thing I can access.
You could try running Windows in safe mode to see if you can make the modifications there.
I get the error in Safe Mode, too. I can ignore it when working in the Command Prompt (unless I try to access something that requires Windows Explorer to open it, like the control panel, or the registry editor).
How can I click START or anything else if the explorer is not working. The only options I have is close the program or wait. This is a virtual server 08 running a SQL database which is in production. If I close explorer, then the only way I can get back in is to restart, right?
got to default programs and go to set program access and computer defaults and change your default from ie to something else (for me google chrome)
i have a problem i get the windows explorer has stopped working error message any time i click anything. i am unable to open any program except my task manager. i ran a scan in safe mode (the only mode that allows me to open a cmd prompt.) and got the response windows found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them. i cant afford anti virus software and even so would not be able to install it. i tryed a system restore with no resolve and am out of ideas any help would be great.
Seriously this is caused by REAL PLAYER!!
Try ‘COMPLETELY’ unistall REAL PLAYER,real jukebox, restart and see the result urself..
Something else must cause it also, because we don’t have realplayer or any other music apps on our Server 08. It just locks up. You can’t get to anything.
I checked the event viewer and the problem is caused by the thumcache.dll. c:\windows\system32\thumbcache.dll
Thanks 4 this site and big thanks 2 Harold Gray,wow you are the man,more greeze to your elbow n keep doing the good work.It works perfect 4 me,on ma hp mini running wins7 ultimate.Am glad man,thanks.
Thanks for the reference – and I’m glad my nvidia digging worked for someone. Would be nice to have a “final resolution” for this from Microsoft – but there are just so many variations of hardware / software configurations out there that we may never get one. Clearly there are several / competing and related issues involved.
Solution # 1 seems to have solved my Win Explorer problem of freezing about one minute after opening win Explorer.
Thanks,
the way i stopped Windows explorer from working is: i changed my cursor. Do not use the regular white cursor with the blue circle revolving when it is in loading mode. go to:
1. control panel
2. mouse icon
3. install the “windows black (normal select) cursor”
4. click apply and ok.
it solved the problem for me.
I tried absolutely EVERYTHING until sandy’s pointer change method, thinking it was going to work because it COULDN’T possibly be something as simple as that and its working now!
No error message when right clicking on desktop background. Everyone should try this and if it doesn’t work, then have faith! and good luck!
Thankyou Sandy so much.
How to Fix Windows Explorer Has Stopped Working Problem
Sometimes, just when you thought your computer is in a perfect condition, your windows explorer stops working, freezes up, and restarts. You get error messages like “windows explorer has stopped working” followed by “windows explorer is restarting”. You have done nothing wrong but the machine keeps stressing you out. Worry no more as this article will you show you how to solve the problem.
You do NOT need to perform a system restore to solve this problem. Nothing is wrong with your computer either. Inserting your OS installation disc and booting off the disc cannot fix the problem. The solution to the problem is very simple and only involves changing your thumbnails to icons. Follow the steps below to fix the problem and your computer will return to stability.
1. Click on the “Start Menu” and go to “Network”
Start Network
2. Click on “Organize” at the upper right corner of the window. A drop down window will pop up. Click on “folder” and “search options”.
search options
3. On the folder option window, you will see three tabs at the upper right-hand corner. Click on “view” and SELECT “always show Icons, never thumbnail”. Next, DESELECT “display files Icon on thumbnails” as illustrated below.
Display Files Icon on Thumbnails
4. Click OK and you should be good to go.
Yoga, you are ‘the man’! i went through all the steps above to no avail. but your simple insightful steps has cured my Windows Explorer. Thank you!
Thank you so much. I have been trying for days to fix this problem. Windows explorer stops working and restarts every time I try to open documents, etc. I did what you suggested in the post and it worked!!! I just wanted to send you a thank you. Thank you again have a great day.
i cant open my network because of the same problem including computer and control panel even windows update! what can i do?
Nikko, you need to restart your system and boot to safe mode, if the problem is not there, then you can follow Yoga’s Magical steps. It worked perfectly for me. Good Luck…
Magical Yoga,
You are too much.. I’ve struggled and lived with this for about a week now and was finally deciding to format and even use XP… but for your insightful simple steps.. My life is now back. Thanks a ton… Keep it up for us man….
Solution #7 worked for me. I tried all the other one and each were time consuming. IMO, check the Event Viewer first in safe mode. It does not take very long. In the logs, find the log where the explorer is crashing. I found out the DixXMFSource.dll was associated with my explorer stopping/restarting. I unstalled all divx product from my laptop. If you need divx, just remove the divx update. It will install files without your knowledge. I was almost about to reinstall Windows 7 until I found these solution. This is easier than using msconfig or sfc option because of all the rebooting to check. Easier to check what dll is causing the error and then do the more intensive solutions. Hope this help someone else. I lost a day because of this…
best way is to create a crash dump:
http://cid-128fc518635be2dc.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/.Public/MS%20Foren/Registry/WER%5E_Explorer.reg
and open it with WinDbg to see what is wrong.
Thanks to Yoga
thoese people have problem . i tried many things but the Yoga threat was successfu and solve the roble ,
with permission of Yoga , this is the threatment .
Yoga says:
August 14, 2011 at 7:48 pm
How to Fix Windows Explorer Has Stopped Working Problem
Sometimes, just when you thought your computer is in a perfect condition, your windows explorer stops working, freezes up, and restarts. You get error messages like “windows explorer has stopped working” followed by “windows explorer is restarting”. You have done nothing wrong but the machine keeps stressing you out. Worry no more as this article will you show you how to solve the problem.
You do NOT need to perform a system restore to solve this problem. Nothing is wrong with your computer either. Inserting your OS installation disc and booting off the disc cannot fix the problem. The solution to the problem is very simple and only involves changing your thumbnails to icons. Follow the steps below to fix the problem and your computer will return to stability.
1. Click on the “Start Menu” and go to “Network”
Start Network
2. Click on “Organize” at the upper right corner of the window. A drop down window will pop up. Click on “folder” and “search options”.
search options
3. On the folder option window, you will see three tabs at the upper right-hand corner. Click on “view” and SELECT “always show Icons, never thumbnail”. Next, DESELECT “display files Icon on thumbnails” as illustrated below.
Display Files Icon on Thumbnails
4. Click OK and you should be good to go
Thanks Yoga
no man problem is still pending………
Hi,
Need help pls….
I’ve been experiencing this problem too, Windows Explorer has stopped working. The moment i start my computer it appears Windows Explorer has stopped working, and its been re-starting again & again. Does anyone have a solution to share?
I too have the same problem as bessy and it all started today september 15 2011. Wonder if this might be a new virus???
HI Bessy, Kimerlin. I tried all the steps in the article. I only got this computer the other day. EventuallyI read through the comments and tried Yogas solution about an hour ago. It seems to have sorted it. So far anyway. Hope this helps