Windows Explorer stop working

I recently started getting these message errors about 3 or 4 days ago. When I try to open my personal folders and other WINDOWS related folders, I recieve this:

Window #1:

Windows Explorer has stopped working.

Windows is searching for a solution.

Option: Cancel box

Window #2:

Windows Explorer is restarting.

Option: Cancel box

Solution 1

I "chatted" with two HP representatives and they suggested that I had viruses and that the viruses were the cause of the problem. One of them made me try "MalWareBytes". The other suggested that I use "SUPERspyware". Both services found viruses/spyware and hopefully, they are gone. I currently am using Verizon Internet Security Suite and do not plan on getting rid of it. All I want to know is how do I fix this issue? I do not want to pay to fix this because I am a full time college student and fall semester is in a few days.  I am running on Windows Vista Home Premium and have a HP Pavilion a6519fh PC (Intel Premium Dual-Core Desktop Processor E2180 ). 

Solution 2

Try using System File Checker to scan your OS for missing/corrupt files, complete these steps:

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.
   
   The scan may take some time, so be patient. Windows will repair any corrupted or missing files that it finds. If information from the installation CD is needed to repair the problem, you may be prompted to insert your Windows Vista CD.

Solution 3

Hello people, seems like some fellas out there are still having trouble with this random crashes. I have the same problem except that it occurs whenever I access my multimedia archive on my network storage. It would seem that there's a bug or something with windows that causes this problem when you access a media storage folder like mine, especially when the file size is extremely large(I archive all my movie discs there for convenience and streaming =), about 1TB of data). Windows try to generate the thumbnail images for your files and thus crashes explorer.

I've solved this by going to My Computer > click on "Organize" tab (top left) > folder and search options > view tab. Check "Always show icons, never thumbnails" option and uncheck "Display file icon on thumbnails". This stops windows from generating the images and solved the problem for me. Less visually flashy yes, but at least no need for a wipe and restart =).

Solution 4

In my case I did following steps to resolve this nasty issue; definitely is a virus infection.

 - Restarted the computer
 - Pressed F8 AT binging of start-up
 - Selected & pressed ENTER "disable automatic restart on system failure"
 - Started windows normally
 - Used IObit Security 360 for scanning.
 - Found following 2 threats
Trojan.Win32/BHO - Registry Key, HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\URLSearchHook.ToolbarURLSearchHook, 4-19464
Trojan.Win32/BHO - Registry Key, HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\URLSearchHook.ToolbarURLSearchHook.1, 4-19464
 - Removed these infections.............. and that's ALL

at the end don't forget to "enable automatic restart on system failure" via pressing F8 after restart.

Same is workable with the issue to "windows explorer stop working & restart again and again".

Solution 5

In IE go to  Tools--->Internet Options---->Advanced Tab

!!Tik Off!! – Enable third-party browser extensions*

It worked for me !

Solution 6****

I am a System's Admin/Programmer Analyst that works for a local manufacturing company.  One of the workers brought his laptop in and asked if I could figure out the problem after he had tried to take it to several other people that couldn't help him.  I said sure.  Eventually I did, so I will try to explain in simple terms what I did.

If you are stuck in this "Windows Has Stopped Working" loop, it is an infected file that is causing it.   No virus removal software that I tested will eliminate this corrupted file.

As a side note, I used:

Malawarebytes, Avast, Eset Online Scanner, and Advanced System Care-----All to no avail.

---------------------------

However, there is a fix.  

---------------------------

1) Boot to Safe Mode by pressing F8 when you restart your computer.

2) When windows loads, Press CTRL ALT DEL.

3) Choose to run Task Manager.

4) Under the Applications Tab, select "New Task".

5) Type "cmd" and click "OK"

--This will open the command window.  What we will do next is try to delete the infected file that is sitting on your desktop.   However, first we will switch to the desktop directory by doing the following (note replace your user login name --- the one that you use for your windows login where I put YOURUSER below:

6) cd c:\Users\YOURUSER\Desktop

--Note, if you want to view the users on your system, while in the c:\Users\ directory you can type the "dir" command. That will list them for you.

7) Once you are in the Desktop directory, use the command "dir" to list the files and folders that exist on your desktop.

8) Look for suspicious file names, maybe one that you downloaded right before the trouble started happening.  You will delete files one at a time until the "Windows Stopped Working Error" goes away.

9) Type the following command to delete a file:  del filename  

10) If the file name has spaces in it, use the command:   del "file name"

11) Once the problem appears solved, restart windows and give yourself a pat on the back.

PS:  Don't go crazy with the delete command. Look for obvious names that are suspicious and delete them.

Komen Saya : Paling berkesan sekali solution 6..