Windows 10: File Explorer crash when selecting files

Hi Guys,

I have encountered this problem (in thread line) for the past 3-5 days and I have come no closer to any solution during that period of time.

Basically, as soon as I left click or right click on a file in Windows Explorer it will crash. My Windows icon in the bottom left has also stopped working and I cannot ask Cortana anything (not that I did anyway...).

None of the advanced boot options work either (system restore, clean install etc...).

Apologies if that is somewhat vague, and thanks in advance for any assistance.

:)

 

File Explorer Crashing

When I start file explorer I can browse folders from the left drop down style navigation pane but whenever I select folders or files from the right navigation pane file explorer crashes. I dont get any error message when it crashes, the screen flickers
then goes back to normal. I read
this discussion and followed the instructions to make a crash dump file and by analyzing it I believe the issue is caused by explorerframe.dll but I'm not sure on what else to do after this, any help is appreciated and thanks in advance.

 

Delay when selecting file in Windows Explorer

Hi,

Please check the following link

https://windowsreport.com/file-explorer-slow-wi...

Let me know if that helps.

Kind Regards,

Engr. Jamshed Muhammad

 

Hi, I think you need to try to repair Windows.

Let's start by opening an admin command prompt
Windows key + X, click Command Prompt (admin)

Type
chkdsk C: /F
and your PC shold reboot and run the command.
Check it reports everything is ok or fixed.

If so (else post back):

Open an admin command prompt
Windows key + X, click Command Prompt (admin)
Type
SFC /Scannow
and post back the results.
(This will attempt to refresh any corrupt system files).

These are quite routine, safe procedures.

 

Hi dalchina,

Thanks for your reply, I really appreciate it.

The first command returned nothing untoward.

The second command stated that Windows Resource Protection had found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.

Unfortunately the issue still remains...

Any of other advice would be well received *Smile

 

Hi, do you have System Restore on?
If so, do you have a restore point before these problems first occurred? That would be worth trying.

If not, as you have several symptoms, the next stage is one of the good things about Win 10 (in my opinion!). It will take you perhaps 2 to 4 hours depending on your internet speed (if you don't already have Win 10 installation DVD/USB/iso) and hardware speed.

I suggest you do an In-place upgrade install repair.
For this you need an installation medium of the same build as you have installed.
Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade - Windows 10 Forums
This will refresh Windows, after the manner of a Windows installation.
- all/most associations will be unchanged
- all your programs will be left installed
- you will lose any custom fonts
- you will lose any customised system icons
- you may need to re-establish your Wi-Fi connection
- system restore will be turned off- you should turn it on again and I recommend you manually schedule a daily restore point.
- you will need to redo Windows updates subsequent to the build you have used for the repair install

Recommendation:
Please consider using disk imaging regularly. It's a brilliant way to
- preserve your system (and your sanity)
- back up your data
- restore your system to a previously working state in a relatively short time

Recommended: Macrium Reflect + boot disk/device + large enough external storage medium.

 

Hi dalchina,

I have attempted to do an in-place upgrade install repair but when running the ISO file I get the following error message after having clicked on the setup file:

'Setup couldn't start properly. Please reboot your PC and try running Windows 10 setup again.'

Even after a reboot this message always appears. I have burned the ISO image to disc and booted up from it but it asks you to continue to Windows and run the disc from there. To which I am, again, presented with the above message.

I appreciate any further assistance you, or anyone else, can provide.

Thanks as always.

 

Hi, a quick search suggests this:
"I got the solution of this problem. Go to windows (C) drive and you will see one or two folders like this $windows or windows$. Delete the folders like this. and then restart the pc and download again. Hope you will get the solution.

Note : If you are not expert in computer or windows then keep in mind that do not delete the folder "Windows" whose size is more than 4 gb. Because it contains your original windows."



Also make sure the iso you've downloaded matches the build and 'bitness' (x32 or x64) of your existing Windows.

 

Hi dalchina,

I do have a folder that begins $Windows...

On trying to delete it it states that I need permission from SYSTEM to make changes to this folder and so cannot do so...

Any way around this?

Thanks again.

 

You can delete it
a. by booting using (e.g.) a Windows installation disk to a command prompt
or
b. installing and using Emco MoveonBoot (which also deletes)

 

Hi dalchina,

I have tried both the above. Using the command prompt I get 'Access is denied' listed numerous times
and with MoveonBoot the files always remain...

I'm tearing my hair out *Sad

 

Hi dalchina,

Just an update. I have tried numerous solutions to this issue but have been unable to resolve it... well... fully...

I enabled the 'Administrator' user profile on Windows 10 and from that I could access my other user profile and copy and paste all the files I wanted to keep from it onto a portable expansion drive.

I then formatted my whole drive and have done a clean install of Windows 8 (I don't think I'll be going back to 10 for now...).

While not a complete resolution I am happy with the outcome and have learnt a lot.

Thanks for all your assistance.

 

Hi there's no reason that should happen.
If you delete the files from outside Windows, Windows protection does not apply.
This is what should work:

1. Boot from your installation disk (not your installed Windows)
2. Select Repair
3. Navigate to a command prompt via Troubleshooting
4. Locate what you want to delete
5. Delete it
6. Check it's gone.

Emco's worked for me - the idea is it deletes it early in the boot sequence before Windows protection applies.