Windows 10: Inability to open file explorer from start menu

I am not able to open the file explorer through the option on the start menu, or by clicking on the file explorer pinned to the task bar. When I click the pinned file explorer the window that pops up says "Windows cannot find ''. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again." I am able to navigate through to my files by going to the start menu file explorer's jump list (clicking the arrow to the right of the file explorer option on the start menu). All of these issues began after I had been messing around with custom themes. I ran UltraUXThemePatcher_3.0.4 and then I changed the following files (themeui.dll,uxinit.dll, and uxtheme.dll). Next, I ran a registry editor file that made it so I can take ownership via right click. I also followed these steps in this article: [Windows 10 Tip] Remove Icons from Navigation Pane of This PC - AskVG
up to the end of "Part 2: Remove Quick Access Icon From Navigation Pane of This PC".
The last thing I did was install a custom icon pack.

:)

 

Windows Explorer and associated functions dont work.

My windows explorer Icon does nothing, windows explorer from the start menu does much the same. I click on either and it is as if explorer crashes (like in older versions) the task bar flicks off briefly and then comes back. Explorer doesn't open, and now
I have a trash icon near my date time and active apps secion that does the same. I have circumvented the inability to open explorer by creating a shortcut to my C drive that works. Now when I use the shortcut it opens, but if I then click on either the explorer
link in the quick launch bar or start menu or the trash icon, all open window close, the task bar does the flash thing.

It is quite frustrating and annoying.

 

File Explorer in Taskbar woun't launch

File Explorer in Windows 10 won't open for me in the task bar. It does open from the start menu.

 

If this was not too long ago, and if you do create restore points in regular basis, I would suggest that you do a system restore.
Pick a date BEFORE you "messing around with custom themes" as your restore point.
System Restore Windows 10

 

If system restore is not possible, 2 suggestions :

1. Do a system file check.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...dows-10-a.html

2. Do a Repair Install.
Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

 

Yeah, I have a system restore ready to go I was just hoping there was a way to remedy this, so I wouldn't have to go through the whole process of setting these themes up again.

 

Perhaps you would re-consider resetting the themes.
Perhaps that was part of the problem ?