Windows 10: File Explorer keeps crashing

I wish I'd read this thread earlier ! It describes exactly the problem my partner was having on her computer. I determined that IDT was the problem (Event Log called out IDTNc64.cpl), but the problem was that I couldn't find IDT to uninstall it. It didn't turn up in any list of Programs and Features, and the audio drivers were all MS. I did find it in the Start list, but disabling it there didn't fix the problem.

In the end I checked the Registry and found entries for IDT still there, including one for IDTNc64.cpl, which helped me to locate that file (in Windows/system32 folder). I simply renamed it IDTNc64.cpl.unused, and the problem immediately went away, even before a reboot. Mind you, it was touch and go - I had several attempts which failed because Explorer went down before I reached the file to rename it !

I haven't bothered to remove the Registry entries or any other IDT bits and pieces. We'll see how it goes.

 

I had the same problem, but noticed that the screen kept flickering so went to this site and have now solved my problem.
Troubleshoot screen flickering in Windows 10 - Windows Help

Hope this helps.*Biggrin

 

I had same issue. "this Pc" "file explorer "etc wouldnt open and would refresh screen.
I had apps set to 175% size for external display. When reduced to 150% I got file explorer working again. So weird.

 

Wow , i just did that (and plus changed the resolution from 2715x1527 to 1920x1080 just in case) and the file explorer worked again *Eek. It must be a new bug with the windows 10 update since I've searched everywhere on the internet and found nothing about it :|. It sucks having to face such minor mind boggling problems for each new update with a new OS , but at least after doing the usual fixes and luckily finding the problem here its all fine .

 

Go to View tab and click on Options > Change file and folder options

Then in the Change file and folder options, go to view

Turn on "Launch folder windows in a separate process"

it will solve your problem.. no need to uninstall any apps... keep good and rock *Smile

 

Hi Loius, I'm glad that worked for you.
Hi Mallik, cool, followed your steps and I've changed that setting! Thanks for the info*Smile

 

Omg thank you this worked for me *chuckle

 

I found that Quick access is the culprit for windows explorer crashes.
I disabled show recently used files in quick access
and show frequently used folders in quick access.
then I set "open file explorer" to "This PC".
I also cleared the File Explorer in history.
This fixed the problem.
To make these changes go to:
the View options on the ribbon in windows explorer.
Click the drop down on Options
select change folder and Search options.
the folder options will appear.
on the general tab you can make the changes I spoke of above.
*Cool*Cool

 

Did it. Worked great. Thanks a lot. *Smile

Edited to add: Actually, didn't work. *cry I'm back to the same problem.

 

Thanks so much! I had the same problem with one of my users laptop after he upgraded to windows 10. All his file explorer dialog boxes was crashing and i could not even save his data across as this kept on crashing. After removing his Audio IDT program from the Control panel this has now stopped. I wanted anyone else whose having this issue to know this works (user has a HP Probook) as this has saved me from formatting the whole thing!

Thanks again.

 

Thank you soporifics for the solution! This was exactly the problem we were having. And I don't believe it's the software that has the issue, but rather just that .cpl file. Because the Control Panel is also part of Explorer, there was some issue with that CPL file (which is the extension for Control Panel Listings) that did not mix. We just renamed that file (had to do so in the CMD prompt) and it was fixed automatically. For those of you who want to rename the file in the CMD window:

• In the Start Search bar, type "cmd".
• Right click the Command Prompt listing and select "Run as Administrator"
• Agree to the permissions pop-up, and then it should actually put you right in the correct folder (for us it was C:\Windows\System32)
• Type the following command "ren IDTNC64.CPL IDTNC64.CPL.old"
• Done!

Hope this helps.

 

I just had a similar problem and came across this thread.
'This PC' was hanging and after a while I realised I had an Android tablet plugged into one of the USB ports.
It was causing the PC to hang while waiting for it to reveal its file system...

So, unplugging all USB devices is also something to try.

 

Our old Dell Inspiron N5110 got this problem also.
Taskbar keeps refreshing. Thanks many hints from guys above pointed me the direction to fix it.
From Reliability History Monitor I found Explorer keeps crashing because of IDTNC64.CPL (type reliability history at Start)
1. the issue was from IDTNC64.cpl, the sound driver,
but I could not successfully to uninstall it from device manager nor control panel or rename the file or the folder.
2. uninstalled High Definition Audio Device few times, problem remain
3. tried to uninstall within Control Panel > Program file, yet Control Panel only open 2, 3 seconds then closed automatically.
4. finally solved Control Panel shut down problem by going to msconfig>services>and disable Windows Error Reporting Service. see below sequence:
Click window + R keys, type msconfig, Enter to open msconfig, click Services Tag and look for Windows Error Reporting Service. Unchecked it, then apply, ok then reboot system when it suggests.
5. After this, open Control Panel by clicking Start > type Control Panel. Then my Control Panel open and stay put, won't shut down by itself.
6. In Control Panel > Programs > I found IDT Audio and successfully to uninstall it.
7. No more taskbar refresh or Windows Explore shut down after uninstalled IDT and Sound still works great!!!
8. repeat step 4 to check Windows Error Reporting Services by clicking it. OK then follow system suggestion to reboot.
9. Control Panel still able to open and remain open. Sound still works and no more refresh.
10. From Reliability History monitor found no more Windows Explorer crashing.
I am happy and hope above steps help

 

Tried every other thing to fix the taskbar, Quick Launch, etc. from resetting\refreshing multiple times per minute (including Bitdefender, disabling file indexing, updating BIOS, updating all drivers, etc., etc., etc.) but, removing the Dell IDTNC64.cpl audio fixed my problem after three days work and four Windows 10 reinstallations! Thank you very, very much.

Also adding that "for the general public, the free upgrade offer for Windows 10 has been extended beyond July 29 if you use assistive technologies. You can still get the free upgrade offer even after the general public deadline expired as Microsoft continues their efforts to improve the Windows 10 experience for people who use these technologies." No proof of using such features required!!

*Biggrin Hairless (after pulling it all out)!
Best regards!

 

I tried this but explorer keeps closing and the taskbar keeps refreshing. When I click a folder to explore it, it opens in a new window despite the fact that I have set it to Open each folder in the same window. (It also crashes when I double click a file to open it. And it also happens when I browse for files to upload. So basically any time when I am using Explorer.exe directly or when I am using it via dialog boxes. I am backing up some games to my external drive and when I went to upload a pic to tinypic it closed the copy dialog cancelling the copy process. Its very annoying and I don't know what to do to stop it).





And when I right click a folder to see the context menu the option there is to Open in new window







My PC is custom built and it doesn't have IDT audio. My sound card is a Asus Xonar D1. I have the latest drivers for it (8.1.8.1823) which were released on November 6 2015. There have been no further driver updates since then.

My sys specs are as follows:

Core i7 6700k 4GHz
Gigabyte Z170-HD3
Kingston HyperX 16GB DDR4
GeForce GTX 980 G1 Gaming 4GB
Asus Xonar D1
Logitech Z-5500 Digital
LG Flatron W2261VP (2ms)
ViewSonic VX1932wm WS (2ms)
Samsung 840 ProSeries SSD 256GB
WD Black SATA 1TB
WD Green SATA 1TB
LG SATA 18x DVDRW x2
Pioneer 206BK Blu ray burner
Thermaltake Evo_Blue 750Watt PSU
Noctua NH-C12P-SE14
Lancool PC-K62 Case
Razer Goliathus Control Mouse Pad
Cyborg R.A.T. 7
G15 v2, G15 Refresh


Win10 x64

Running 368.81 nVidia drivers

edit: I just checked Reliability Monitor and the most recent entry for explorer.exe is this:

Source
Windows Explorer


Summary
Stopped working


Date
‎08/‎07/‎2016 17:10


Status
Report sent


Description
Faulting Application Path: C:\Windows\explorer.exe


Problem signature
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: explorer.exe
Application Version: 10.0.10586.0
Application Timestamp: 5632d4c0
Fault Module Name: windows.storage.dll
Fault Module Version: 10.0.10586.0
Fault Module Timestamp: 5632d59e
Exception Code: c000041d
Exception Offset: 000000000010cf82
OS Version: 10.0.10586.2.0.0.256.48
Locale ID: 1033
Additional Information 1: 7cb2
Additional Information 2: 7cb2c72c4ec5a461b48431651d5275a2
Additional Information 3: 4389
Additional Information 4: 4389d654fa3e0de48d725d30f98f6694


Extra information about the problem
Bucket ID: de60f61ec39c072ea9e67619b1c3a0c3 (120351718241)

There are multiple entries like this. Two of them have explorer in caps explorer.EXE

Source
Windows Explorer


Summary
Stopped working


Date
‎08/‎07/‎2016 14:47


Status
Report sent


Description
Faulting Application Path: C:\Windows\explorer.exe


Problem signature
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: Explorer.EXE
Application Version: 10.0.10586.0
Application Timestamp: 5632d4c0
Fault Module Name: windows.storage.dll
Fault Module Version: 10.0.10586.0
Fault Module Timestamp: 5632d59e
Exception Code: c00000fd
Exception Offset: 000000000010cf82
OS Version: 10.0.10586.2.0.0.256.48
Locale ID: 1033
Additional Information 1: a492
Additional Information 2: a4927ffd23357a88dcbd704646114a3e
Additional Information 3: 4875
Additional Information 4: 487545df91ce49e5b0b4d5e31930f510


Extra information about the problem
Bucket ID: 68a38db3953caadca10b9f79fb245dae (120351732520)

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

Source
Windows Explorer


Summary
Stopped working


Date
‎08/‎07/‎2016 16:49


Status
Report sent


Description
Faulting Application Path: C:\Windows\explorer.exe


Problem signature
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: Explorer.EXE
Application Version: 10.0.10586.0
Application Timestamp: 5632d4c0
Fault Module Name: windows.storage.dll
Fault Module Version: 10.0.10586.0
Fault Module Timestamp: 5632d59e
Exception Code: c000041d
Exception Offset: 000000000010cf82
OS Version: 10.0.10586.2.0.0.256.48
Locale ID: 1033
Additional Information 1: 7cb2
Additional Information 2: 7cb2c72c4ec5a461b48431651d5275a2
Additional Information 3: 4389
Additional Information 4: 4389d654fa3e0de48d725d30f98f6694


Extra information about the problem
Bucket ID: de60f61ec39c072ea9e67619b1c3a0c3 (120351718241)



And there is an Informational event of Microsoft .Net Native Framework Package 1.2.23205.0 being updated successfully via Windows Update:

Successful Windows Update Date 08/07/2016 17:20

Description
Installation Successful: Windows successfully installed the following update: Microsoft .Net Native Framework Package 1.2.23205.0


I don't know how it was able to update since I have completely disabled updates. Not just in the control panel but also in Local Group Policy Editor I have completely disabled the windows update process so that it cannot fetch the initial update.