Windows Explorer has stopped working.

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Guest

Whenever I try to access anything controlled by windows explorer (ie
documents, computer, downloads, control panel) The window shows up blank, and
qeues the new vista spinwheel, then gives me the Windows Explorer has stopped
working message, which then gives way to the windows explorer is restarting
message. I can use everything else like applications and internet, but I
can't even open windows update or any folder for that matter.... Any
advice/help would be appreciated.
 
I had a similar problem in a fresh install of Vista Ultimate- everytime I
tried to do anything in the GUI (Explorer), I got an error, "Windows Explorer
has stopped working"... looking for solutions, "Windows Explorer is
restarting..." It seemed that there was no end in sight.

Check the event viewer to see what is causing the error. Open the Task
Manager (CNTRL ALT DEL, start Task Manager), then from the Task Manager
program, select File-Run from the menu. Type MSCONFIG. You may have to try
these steps several times as the crashing Explorer will probably get in the
way. In my case, Explorer crashes mostly did not affect secondary apps (i.e.
Task Manager and Msconfig). In Msconfig, select the Tools tab and select
Event Viewer and click Launch. In Event Viewer, open up Applications to see
what errors you are getting.

If "C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\***.db" is
causing the problem, you need to delete the *.db file in that directory. But
because Explorer is crashing, you obviously can't do this from a window. Go
back to Task Manager and type, "runas /user:[username that has administrative
rights] cmd"

You will be asked for you password. Enter it. Now browse to the directory
with the *.db files that are causing problems and delete them. They are
temporary thumbnail caches. One or more are are probably corrupt. As soon
as you delete these files, Vista should run just fine.

-Brad
 
I am having this same problem ("Internet Explorer has stopped working") and
I followed the directions in the response below, but did not find any error
messages to address. Now what? And is this going to keep happening? What is
heartily amusing in a painfully ironic way is that the same computer that has
this problem is now showing a message from Microsoft asking me to confirm the
e-mail address with which I signed into this website - but I can't because it
won't let me get to the website because Internet Explorer has stopped
working.


Bradford said:
I had a similar problem in a fresh install of Vista Ultimate- everytime I
tried to do anything in the GUI (Explorer), I got an error, "Windows Explorer
has stopped working"... looking for solutions, "Windows Explorer is
restarting..." It seemed that there was no end in sight.

Check the event viewer to see what is causing the error. Open the Task
Manager (CNTRL ALT DEL, start Task Manager), then from the Task Manager
program, select File-Run from the menu. Type MSCONFIG. You may have to try
these steps several times as the crashing Explorer will probably get in the
way. In my case, Explorer crashes mostly did not affect secondary apps (i.e.
Task Manager and Msconfig). In Msconfig, select the Tools tab and select
Event Viewer and click Launch. In Event Viewer, open up Applications to see
what errors you are getting.

If "C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\***.db" is
causing the problem, you need to delete the *.db file in that directory. But
because Explorer is crashing, you obviously can't do this from a window. Go
back to Task Manager and type, "runas /user:[username that has administrative
rights] cmd"

You will be asked for you password. Enter it. Now browse to the directory
with the *.db files that are causing problems and delete them. They are
temporary thumbnail caches. One or more are are probably corrupt. As soon
as you delete these files, Vista should run just fine.

-Brad


Tim Rettammel said:
Whenever I try to access anything controlled by windows explorer (ie
documents, computer, downloads, control panel) The window shows up blank, and
qeues the new vista spinwheel, then gives me the Windows Explorer has stopped
working message, which then gives way to the windows explorer is restarting
message. I can use everything else like applications and internet, but I
can't even open windows update or any folder for that matter.... Any
advice/help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
You are not alone but we are all alone in finding a remedy to this
problem...a temp solution is back up the directory you are viewing, delete
it and copy it back...however, it seems to be spreading...once I fix one,
another one pops up...it is frustrating and I do NOT want to reload
Vista!!!!


Deena P. said:
I am having this same problem ("Internet Explorer has stopped working")
and
I followed the directions in the response below, but did not find any
error
messages to address. Now what? And is this going to keep happening? What
is
heartily amusing in a painfully ironic way is that the same computer that
has
this problem is now showing a message from Microsoft asking me to confirm
the
e-mail address with which I signed into this website - but I can't because
it
won't let me get to the website because Internet Explorer has stopped
working.


Bradford said:
I had a similar problem in a fresh install of Vista Ultimate- everytime I
tried to do anything in the GUI (Explorer), I got an error, "Windows
Explorer
has stopped working"... looking for solutions, "Windows Explorer is
restarting..." It seemed that there was no end in sight.

Check the event viewer to see what is causing the error. Open the Task
Manager (CNTRL ALT DEL, start Task Manager), then from the Task Manager
program, select File-Run from the menu. Type MSCONFIG. You may have to
try
these steps several times as the crashing Explorer will probably get in
the
way. In my case, Explorer crashes mostly did not affect secondary apps
(i.e.
Task Manager and Msconfig). In Msconfig, select the Tools tab and select
Event Viewer and click Launch. In Event Viewer, open up Applications to
see
what errors you are getting.

If "C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\***.db"
is
causing the problem, you need to delete the *.db file in that directory.
But
because Explorer is crashing, you obviously can't do this from a window.
Go
back to Task Manager and type, "runas /user:[username that has
administrative
rights] cmd"

You will be asked for you password. Enter it. Now browse to the
directory
with the *.db files that are causing problems and delete them. They are
temporary thumbnail caches. One or more are are probably corrupt. As
soon
as you delete these files, Vista should run just fine.

-Brad


Tim Rettammel said:
Whenever I try to access anything controlled by windows explorer (ie
documents, computer, downloads, control panel) The window shows up
blank, and
qeues the new vista spinwheel, then gives me the Windows Explorer has
stopped
working message, which then gives way to the windows explorer is
restarting
message. I can use everything else like applications and internet, but
I
can't even open windows update or any folder for that matter.... Any
advice/help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Hi ... I have the same problem , bt its not .db error , its says " Messahe
centre ".
cud u pls help me out.

Regards
Rag

Bradford said:
I had a similar problem in a fresh install of Vista Ultimate- everytime I
tried to do anything in the GUI (Explorer), I got an error, "Windows Explorer
has stopped working"... looking for solutions, "Windows Explorer is
restarting..." It seemed that there was no end in sight.

Check the event viewer to see what is causing the error. Open the Task
Manager (CNTRL ALT DEL, start Task Manager), then from the Task Manager
program, select File-Run from the menu. Type MSCONFIG. You may have to try
these steps several times as the crashing Explorer will probably get in the
way. In my case, Explorer crashes mostly did not affect secondary apps (i.e.
Task Manager and Msconfig). In Msconfig, select the Tools tab and select
Event Viewer and click Launch. In Event Viewer, open up Applications to see
what errors you are getting.

If "C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\***.db" is
causing the problem, you need to delete the *.db file in that directory. But
because Explorer is crashing, you obviously can't do this from a window. Go
back to Task Manager and type, "runas /user:[username that has administrative
rights] cmd"

You will be asked for you password. Enter it. Now browse to the directory
with the *.db files that are causing problems and delete them. They are
temporary thumbnail caches. One or more are are probably corrupt. As soon
as you delete these files, Vista should run just fine.

-Brad


Tim Rettammel said:
Whenever I try to access anything controlled by windows explorer (ie
documents, computer, downloads, control panel) The window shows up blank, and
qeues the new vista spinwheel, then gives me the Windows Explorer has stopped
working message, which then gives way to the windows explorer is restarting
message. I can use everything else like applications and internet, but I
can't even open windows update or any folder for that matter.... Any
advice/help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
This is incredible. I am having the same problem and so are about 50-100
others (from reading these posts). There are probably thousands more out
there with the same problem that have not posted it. Obviously MS Vista (IE
specifically) has a bug not a virus. I wonder if Microsoft is reading any of
these posts. There does not seem to be a solution other than MS fixing the
bug and sending out the update.
 
Im having this same problem with a brand new laptop that I just bought for
college in the fall. I did everything that you had wrote to do to fix this
problem, But when I get to the even viewer there are a couple errors but I
dont know how to delete them. Any advice? Please help.

Bradford said:
I had a similar problem in a fresh install of Vista Ultimate- everytime I
tried to do anything in the GUI (Explorer), I got an error, "Windows Explorer
has stopped working"... looking for solutions, "Windows Explorer is
restarting..." It seemed that there was no end in sight.

Check the event viewer to see what is causing the error. Open the Task
Manager (CNTRL ALT DEL, start Task Manager), then from the Task Manager
program, select File-Run from the menu. Type MSCONFIG. You may have to try
these steps several times as the crashing Explorer will probably get in the
way. In my case, Explorer crashes mostly did not affect secondary apps (i.e.
Task Manager and Msconfig). In Msconfig, select the Tools tab and select
Event Viewer and click Launch. In Event Viewer, open up Applications to see
what errors you are getting.

If "C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\***.db" is
causing the problem, you need to delete the *.db file in that directory. But
because Explorer is crashing, you obviously can't do this from a window. Go
back to Task Manager and type, "runas /user:[username that has administrative
rights] cmd"

You will be asked for you password. Enter it. Now browse to the directory
with the *.db files that are causing problems and delete them. They are
temporary thumbnail caches. One or more are are probably corrupt. As soon
as you delete these files, Vista should run just fine.

-Brad


Tim Rettammel said:
Whenever I try to access anything controlled by windows explorer (ie
documents, computer, downloads, control panel) The window shows up blank, and
qeues the new vista spinwheel, then gives me the Windows Explorer has stopped
working message, which then gives way to the windows explorer is restarting
message. I can use everything else like applications and internet, but I
can't even open windows update or any folder for that matter.... Any
advice/help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Hi,

I have been having this problem from the point I installed Vista. I had
browsed through many suggestions and tried them out too but to no avail. In
the end I came up with my own solution. This may work for some or may not
work for others.

My problem was actually related to yours. Whenever I used to access any
Control Panel stuff with a Windows Explorer open I got a stop error message.
But with no Windows Explorer open I was able to open Control Panel options
just fine. It suddenly came to my mind that I should change Start Menu to
Classic and then access Control Panel and viola. No errors for now. Hope it
helps.
 
Okay folks at Microsoft. Are you paying attention to any of these threads?
Is there a fix for this looping problem? At this point I would not recommend
Vista to anyone. I've spent hours going through these threads and have not
found a single solution to fix this problem. The Windows Explorer looping
problem is driving me crazy. I feel like shipping it to Gates and asking him
to fix it.

Please somebody help.

Miranda
 
I bought my Dell laptop with Vista on it so this wasn't an upgrade to an
older pc. Last night I was able to open the Control Panel and go to the
Classic View. Once I get to the Control Panel I don't know what to do about
the problem. This morning I can't even open the Control Panel. I don't
think it's the computer I think it has to do with Vista. Do you know if
Microsoft has issued any new service packs to address this problem?
 
I feel slightly saner that it's not just me after reading this thread but
still incredibly frustrated that it's happening- where's the fix MS!!!!!
Wishing I had not upgraded to vista as this is one of many teething problems!
m
 
I have this problem for months now, and after changing to Classic Start
Menu, no more problems.
 
HI, I'm having the same problem, suddenly without any obvious reason i have
the message that internet explorer stopped working, then another message that
the program will close and after that i'm not able to use internet explorer
unless I restart and even sometimes i have to restore my pc to a previous
date! I noticed that everytime i try to connect to my mails from windows live
messenger this will happen.
I have been using vista since March without any problem and didn't have that
issue till the 17th of September so it should be a new patch that is causing
that!
I even reformatted my pc but again i got the same problem! I think microsoft
ahould get involved in that!!!!!
 
Try to run Internet Explorer without add-ons to see if an add-on is causing the
problem.

Start Orb > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Internet Explorer (No
Add-ons).

If this solves your problem, you can then enable add-ons one at a time until the
problem recurs.


I Bleed Blue and Gold
GO BEARS!
 
Tim Rettammel said:
Whenever I try to access anything controlled by windows explorer (ie
documents, computer, downloads, control panel) The window shows up blank, and
qeues the new vista spinwheel, then gives me the Windows Explorer has stopped
working message, which then gives way to the windows explorer is restarting
message. I can use everything else like applications and internet, but I
can't even open windows update or any folder for that matter.... Any
advice/help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
I had the same problem a few days ago. Couldn't get onto Internet. Took my
new Dell Inspirion (Vista Prem.) back to Best Buy for diagnosis. Geek Squad
guys told me IE was being corrupted by "Registry Mechanic." They also told
me if I uninstalled IE, that my computer would automatically resort to a
lesser version of IE. OY. It didn't happen. All of a sudden IE began to work,
so I also downloaded a free copy of Mozilla's "FireFox" browser to keep handy
if this ever happens again!:
 
Had the same problem recently. Took pooter to Best Buy where I bought it, and
2 Geek Squad guys said that my IE was corrupted, caused by my programs
Registry Mechanic, and Evidence Eliminator (a program that erases alot of
uneeded trash in my computer). I didn't hesitate to uninstall "EE" but
Registry Mech seems to be a long-time classic. Your thoughts???
 
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