Windows explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close.

[Bikerxxuk]

Windows explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close.

This is happening to me quiet a lot and is very frustrating.
I have done a search on the forum and cannot find any help on this subject.
Maybe I have missed it, if so then I am sorry but I would appreciate any help on this.

My problem started after I had trouble deleting an avi file. I found a 'fix' on this forum and manually deleted the registry key as it said.
avi fix

Ever since then I have been getting 'Windows exporer has encountered a problem and needs to close'

I am a bit of a newbie to the registry, so keep replies simple please.

Any help would be much appreciated as the wife is giving me real grief for messing with it.

Thanks
Steve

[Reverend]

Have you tried System Restore?

Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore. And select the last restore point prior to the problem.

Regarding deleting avi's. I never use the registry fix,i just rename the extension to .txt and then it should delete with no problems. http://www.techzonez.com/forums/show...65&postcount=3

[Big Booger]

Couple of questions:

When does this popup? Every time you open windows explorer? Every time you open Internet Explorer? Are you trying to browse folders or files, or hard disks? Are you trying to play a movie?

Are you getting any other message with the error?

I have never ever had a problem with that registry fix. I installed this on 3 PCs, a laptop, and a couple of friends and family members' computers. That is not to say it didn't cause problems for you.

How long after the fix did this start happening?


Now to undo what that registry fix did:

Click start,
click run,
type:
regedit

Now navigate to :

Hkey Local Machine SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{87D62D94-71B3-4b9a-9489-5FE6850DC73E}\

You will first need to add a new KEY.

Click edit, click new, then click key. Name it:
InProcServer32

YOu should see a default value already there.

You will need to add a new STRING.

So while you have clicked InProcServer32:

NOW double click (default):
and under VALUE DATA put this in:
%SystemRoot%\System32\shmedia.dll

Copy and paste that line Exactly as it is written there.

Now step two, if you dont have another string called ThreadingModel
Create one. Again click edit at the top of registry editor.

The click new
then click string value
then name it
ThreadingModel

Double click it and under the value data:
Both

Put that word exactly as it is written

That will give you back your avi deletion problem.

and rev, I have tried your fix a couple times, and it won't let me rename it sometimes... sometimes it will but those times it won't I am just stuck with a file forever without this fix.

I have attached an image.

[Bikerxxuk]

I had tried the changing extention option but used to get the same message that the file was being used and cannot re-name.


It started to happen straight after I did the fix.
I happens when i watch an avi. If I close it and then immediately right click and delete it. The box pops up as the file is deleting - Windows explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close.

If I leave it for 10 secs or so after closing it and then delete it, it deletes fine.

I have also had the box pop up if I close a folder containing avi's immediately after watching one of them.


When the error box pops up there is a link to 'more info'. Would it help if I posted this?

Thanks for your suggestions. I'll do that and see what happens.

Steve

[Big Booger]

yeah the more info would defintely help. Try Rev's suggestion for the system restore. If that is possible it should restore your registry back to a better version that doesn't generate this error.

Can anyone reproduce this error? I am going to give it a try..

If indeed this registry fix doesn't fix it for you, you may have to try this:

Another method for deleting problem files (not just avi files) is by closing explorer and using the command line to delete the file. Here I'll give you a method that doesn't require you to enter any paths.
Find cmd.exe (it's in your Windows\System32 folder) and COPY it to the folder that contains your problem file.
Double click the copied cmd.exe and leave the dos window open.
Then click Ctrl-Alt-Del and choose Task Manager>Processes tab. Select Explorer and click End Process.
Once ended, enter your delete command in the open dos box:
del mymovie.avi (where "mymovie" is the name of your avi file)
Press Enter.
Then press Ctrl Alt Del again to get to the Task Manager>Processes tab.
Click File>New Task.
Enter EXPLORER.EXE and click Ok to get Windows back to normal.

The file should now be gone.

Kind of a long way to delete an AVI file. Personally I like the reg fix.


Please do post the details of that error though.

[FastGame]

I didn't do any AVI file delete fixes and I never had a problem deleting them, does anyone know where I can get an AVI file that doesn't delete ?

[Big Booger]

They are very rare and they popup at odd times. I actually had one stuck on a removable drive.. Until I did the fix it was setting there for nearly a year.

[Reverend]

I happens when i watch an avi. If I close it and then immediately right click and delete it. The box pops up as the file is deleting - Windows explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close.

If I leave it for 10 secs or so after closing it and then delete it, it deletes fine

Be aware that some movie apps cache part of the file,and as a result they may not let you delete it immediately.The successful deletion after 10 or so secs may be because the program you opened the avi with has had enough time to flush the cache.

[Bikerxxuk]

I may not give enough time for the ap to flush the cashe, but it shouldn't cause Windows Explorer to close.
I would have thought it would hang for a second or two then continue.

Gimme a few days and as soon as I have time I will try all that has been suggested and I'll let you know how I got on.

Cheers

Steve

[joshsiao]

Sometimes restarting works for me. If not I just do a restore.

[cash_site]

Err... the error doesnt have anything to do with LSASS.exe service? or Sasser virus? have you fully patched your OS?

just some brainstorming, cheers.

[lynchknot]

at least you get a warning. Explorer just crashes and resets for me - but then i've got 40 or more processes open at all times - photoshop etc...

[egghead]

hi,

i have found that many explorer crashes are caused from spyware attaching itself to your operating system

read this thread and follow my advice to see if you have something wrong with it,
http://www.techzonez.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9739

please keep this thread updated

thanks
egghead