Problems with Windows are a well-known headache for users of this system. In this article, we will deal with why and why the error "The Explorer program has stopped working" occurs. This bug is sometimes so annoying that it becomes impossible to work. Some immediately get a disk or flash drive with Windows, in one fell swoop demolishing the entire old system, and we will try to do without such cardinal and costly solutions.
What does it mean?
What does this error mean? Unfortunately, she talks about the seriousness of what happened, since in this case the Windows file manager was stopped. The error of this important system utility in this case is not so catastrophic, otherwise the system would crash onto the “blue screen”, but this also does not bode well.
In this article we will try to find out what the appearance of such a message means in each specific case, and also talk about methods for eliminating this dangerous bug.
Common reason
Very often all this occurs for the simple reason that some “left-handed” software is incompatible with your version of Windows, simultaneously causing internal conflicts in the latter. If this program is also prescribed in the context menu, then the scale of the problem becomes simply menacing.
Often the root of the problem lies in the "clumsy" video codecs. This is especially often manifested at the very moment when you open the folder in which all your films are stored. If you observe this behavior of the system constantly, then you need to completely remove the problem software (K-Lite Codeck Pack, for example).
Of course, one should not forget about the products of malicious hackers: trojans and viruses that like to erase system files often become the culprits of problems. If you see the message “Explorer has stopped working”, it is advisable to immediately scan your computer with one of the two programs listed below:
- Dr.Web CureIt.
- Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool.
We strongly recommend that you use the utility whose manufacturer has nothing to do with the antivirus program installed on your computer.
Simply put, we do not recommend the use of Dr.Web CureIt to the owners of Doctor Web. Well, if the regular program from a certain company did not identify and eliminate the threat in time, then it is unlikely that the scanner will find the correct definition. If these solutions do not help, you will have to resort to other methods.
Clean the context menu
We have already said that the error is often associated with inappropriate behavior of third-party utilities. If you disable the defective component, the problem will disappear immediately. It is very convenient to use the compact ShellExView utility for this. You can download it from the official site, in the same place you will find the Russification file.
Then run the program and start sorting the values ​​in its main dialog box by type. To do this, simply left-click on the column of the same name.
You should be interested in all the elements in which the "Context Menu" appears in one way or another. Immediately turn off all components whose manufacturers are not listed by Microsoft itself . To perform this action, press the F7 button.
After that, you can restart the computer. The error "Explorer" stopped working "disappeared? We turn on one of the previously disabled components of the context menu, after which we reboot again. We check for an error, after which we continue to examine the list until the culprit of the bug is found.
Correcting the error in "Safe Mode"
We try to boot into the system using "Safe Mode". If everything works fine, look for the cause of the failure in the installed programs. In the case when you see the message: “The Explorer program has stopped working”, we immediately proceed to the next paragraph of our article.
Recover system files
This action is applicable in those cases when, after using all the tips that are given in our article, the message “Explorer” has stopped working all the same, constantly pops up. First, you need to run the command line emulation mode with administrator rights. To do this, click on “Start” again, look for the “Search” field there, and then enter the line CMD into it. Found files will appear in the right part of the search window.
On one of them that has the same name as the command used above, right-click, and then select "Run as administrator" in the context menu. All. Immediately after that we insert a command of the form: sfc / scannow. Press the ENTER button.
The system will automatically scan and restore system files. Be patient, as the program may take a lot of time. And why does “Explorer” stop working, even after that?
We use "Clean Mode"
Left-click on the "Start" button, and then in the "Run" field, write the msconfig command. Press the ENTER button. We are interested in the “General” tab, where it is necessary to select the “Selective launch” item, and then uncheck the option “Load startup items”.
Next, go to the "Services". There you will need to check the box "Do not display Microsoft services." After that, click on "Disable All" and on OK. Important! After that, you must close all windows of active programs, save the results of your work and reboot.
The system will be launched in a lightened state, only the most basic components will work.
If there is no error, then it is advisable to check the system for viruses, because there is damage to the system files. We already managed to talk about eliminating this problem above. Here's what to do if the computer writes: "The Explorer program has stopped working."
Diagnose the system in "Clean mode"
To do this, first turn off half of the services (we already wrote where to look for them). After that reboot your system. In the event that the error disappears, the problem is in one of the disabled components. This checks all available services. It's a long time, but it's still better to completely reinstall the system when you lose all your user data and installed programs.
Checking "Startup"
If the service check did not reveal anything, we work with this component. Again, load the system into "Clean Mode". We restart the msconfig.exe program. We already wrote about this above, so read the sections above again. This time we are interested in the “Startup” tab, in which you should also disable at least several applications. Click OK and send the system to reboot again.
We are looking for the culprit of the problem in the same way that we used when working with services. If the message “Explorer” has stopped working again, what should I do in this case?
Alas, the failed program will have to be completely removed. If you can not do without it in your daily work, then you need to go to the developer's site and download the latest (or older) version of the program. In addition, sometimes a consultation with technical support helps. Note that the “System Restore” service can also help if a bug has started to appear recently.
System Restore
Click on the “Start” button, select “Control Panel” from the menu that opens. There is an option "Recovery". Click on the link, after which a dialog box of this system utility opens. In it you need to left-click on the button "Start System Restore".
The working window opens again, where you can select a specific date for which the system will be pumped out. We recommend choosing the earliest possible state, since in this case the probability of eliminating the error becomes much higher.
Finally
If all of the above does not produce any result, there are two ways: either negotiations with technical support from Microsoft itself, or a complete reinstallation of the system. It is advisable to use the sfc / scannow command, which automatically creates the CBS.log file.
You can find it using the "Search" in the "Start" menu. Support will need this document to pinpoint the cause. We hope that the error "Explorer has stopped working" will be eliminated by you.