Help – Windows Explorer error

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Hope someone can help here as I’m at my wits end.

I keep getting the error message that Windows Explorer has stopped working (I’m using x64 7 Pro) and then restarting. I have tried the following but, to no avail:

Updating all drivers.
Running Scannow under admin which could find no vunerabilities.
Running a virus check (Kasperky) which found nothing.
Ran Malware Bytes which found nothing.

I booted-up in Safe Mode which didn’t bring-up the message.
Ran System Restore which didn’t fix the issue.

It was happening at least every minute originally but now only happens about every five minutes or so?

Can anyone suggest my next move please?

Thanks for any/all help

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Hi runedog, welcome to The Lounge.
Try this, 32635-SFC-Commands

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Thanks for the welcome Gold Lounger.

I tried the Scannow command (Please see above) and it said there was no vulnerabilities on the system?

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Sorry about missing SFC data you posted about.
Download CCleaner and run it using default settings after unticking the Recycle Bin entry.
Next open Task Manager by right clicking the taskbar, select Explorer.exe on the ‘Processes’ tab and click End Process, reboot.

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Tried that Roderunner but still no j

Thanks

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Microsoft has a KB article that addresses this issue:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2694911

You have tried some of the possible fixes but gives other things to try. Also, look in the event viewer for clues on what may be failing.

Jerry

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Thanks Jerry, I have just tried the memory diagnostic tool wich found no issues.

What should I look for in Event Viewer, which section?

thanks again

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What I’ve always (4 for 4) found it to be is some sort of soft data file error not correctable by system file check or restore. Only by excising or replacing the bad data file did explorer resume normal activity. I knew enough to keep an eye on explorer interactivity after being baffled by the error the first time around and was able to subsequently identify the bad file quickly.
Is the error frequency consistent and occur without exploring, or can you generate the error more quickly actively exploring certain drive/folder subsets? If the latter is true its probably the case that one data file is corrupted in that direction of exploration.
If you have external drives and/or other non-system drives in use, temporarily disconnecting them to see if the problem persists can be helpful as well.
If the error is consistent even with exploration then it may not be the same problem I’ve encountered.

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I booted-up in Safe Mode which didn’t bring-up the message.

It looks like you’ve got some 3rd party app or driver that is mal-interacting with your system.
Check the event viewer in “administrative” view for a clue, or disable everything in the start up section of MSCONFIG, and proceed
on a path of process of elimination.

Event Viewer
If you have never deleted all of the entries in event viewer, you will likely see many unrelated errors.
I recommend cleaning the event viewer first, then run your system as normally to generate the error again.

@echo off
FOR /F “tokens=1,2*” %%V IN (‘bcdedit’) DO SET adminTest=%%V
IF (%adminTest%)==(Access) goto noAdmin
for /F “tokens=*” %%G in (‘wevtutil.exe el’) DO (call :do_clear “%%G”)
echo.
echo Event Logs have been cleared! ^
goto theEnd
:do_clear
echo clearing %1
wevtutil.exe cl %1
goto :eof
:noAdmin
echo You must run this script as an Administrator!
echo ^
:theEnd
pause>NUL

Turn this into a batchfile and name it “Event Log Cleaner”

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Many thanks Clint.

I have ran the batchfile which you kindly provided. In Event Viewer, which section do I check to see which errors occur? I have never used this before.

Thanks again.

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Many thanks Clint.

I have ran the batchfile which you kindly provided. In Event Viewer, which section do I check to see which errors occur? I have never used this before.

Thanks again.

Look in the “administrative” section of the event viewer.

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FUN Downtown, thanks for your reply.

The error starts as soon as Windows boots up and then randomly pops-up without interaction of any kind.

Thanks again

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Many thanks once more Clint. Here is the error, any help?

explorer.exe
6.1.7601.17567
4d672ee4
atiumd64.dll
9.14.10.926
5064fc85
c0000005
000000000019088b
cf0
01cddd18fe45ab5d
C:Windowsexplorer.exe
C:Windowssystem32atiumd64.dll
ab73ac13-490c-11e2-a3ad-20cf304ce6ab

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Seems it’s the video driver causing it: http://www.boostbyreason.com/resource-file-2688-atiumd64-dll.aspx

You could try to find a different driver version.

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Thank you Admin, I recently updated my drivers using Driver Genius Pro, should I update this driver via Windows?

Many thanks

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runedog – I had the same problem. I remember installing the new SpyBot 2 the day before I starting having the problem.

It turns out that if you go to Start Center/Advanced Tools/Settings/System Integration and click on uninstall Windows Explorer integration it solves the “Windows Explorer Has Stopped Working” problem.

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Updated my video driver via Windows. I still have the same error appearing but a little less frequently now?

Any help?

Thanks

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Go directly to the manufacturer’s site to get the latest driver.
Uninstall the one that is currently on your system prior to installing the new one.

Only use “Driver Genius Pro” if it is an absolute must and you cannot find a driver anywhere else, which is extremely rare.

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Gentlemen, that seems to have sorted it (fingers crossed and holding breath) It has been 8 minutes now without the error appearing so I am hoping/wishing it has been rectified.

Thank you SO much for staying with me on this one. Another well-known forum just kept putting me off and never offered the help you guys did.

Very much appreciated
Graham

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I would seriously advise against the use of any drivers not obtained either from the manufacturer or Windows Update (and the latter, hmmm…). Those sites that offer drivers do not inspire me much trust.

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Thank you Ruinib, I will take your advice onboard. Is there any driver updating software you personally recommend?

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Sorry, I cannot recommend anything. I update them manually or a Windows Update offering may lead me look for a new driver. If everything works properly I simply do not worry about it.

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Thank you Ruinib, much appreciated

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Best to update graphic drivers direct from manufacturers site i.e. Nvidia / Intel/ AMD.

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Thanks for the input Clive, do you hold to this for Audio drivers too?
Graham

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Thanks for the input Clive, do you hold to this for Audio drivers too?
Graham

That’s a rule you should use for all drivers, IMO, Graham. Drivers can really put in question your system’s stability. It’s best to be sure they come from a reliable source.

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Thanks ruirib, again, your input is appreciated and taken on-board
Graham

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Hi CRGibson,

Thanks for your input. My issue was not a Spybot problem but a video driver issue which, thanks to the guys on here I have sorted
Graham

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