Please help (I tried everything): Right click crashes Windows Expl

[Idena]

When I right click on the desk top or on any empty spot in a folder (on any
drive), the Windows Explorer crashes (needs to be closed)

Furthermore, multiple version of DrWatson are launched. The only way I can
get back to the desktop is to terminate the DrWatson programs.

I run a couple registry tools (System Mechanics, TuneUp Utils, CrapCleaner).
Unfortunately, one of these has removed my last restore points, thus I cannot
go back.

Unless this is a virus problem, I think this happened when I removed the old
version of TuneUp Utils and installed the new one.

I have already tried Restore Right Click .inf/install (from Kellys Corner)
but to no avail.

Please help. Here are related screen captures (thanks to ZT for posting this
form me):
http://zohreh-talebizadeh.net/Assets/right-click-crash.jpg

Many thanks in advance.

 

[R. McCarty]

You've likely damaged your XP instance by using more than one utility
for Registry/System tune-up. Since restore isn't an option you may want
to use those tool's Undo or Restore functions.

While it probably won't fix your context menu issues a helpful tool is
Shell Extension Viewer:
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shexview.html

If you plan to continue to use this combination of tools, I would suggest
system imaging. System Restore is only a short-term type of Roll-back.
Essentially you've over cleaned the Registry - breaking some of the Shell
functions. Unless the Undo can restore the Keys and Values you've now
got a unreliable XP setup that is very difficult to fix manually.

 

[Ramesh Srinivasan, MS-MVP]

Hi Idena,

This is caused by a third-party shell extension. As the problem is seen when
right-clicking the Desktop, the offending context menu handler shell
extension might be located in this registry branch:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers

To isolate the problem, follow the steps listed under "Method 2" in this
article.

Right-click is slow or weird behavior caused by context menu handlers:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/slowrightclick.htm

 

[Idena]

I had to resort to recovery from an image; restored the registry from the
image. But
the registry is three months old and I have installed/uninstalled a number
of software
during that period. Two questions:

1. How best do I clear the registry from the data about programs
uninstalled? I have
System Mechanics, WinUtilities, TuneUp Utils, and CC. Any particular
recommendation? What about the actual program folders? Remove manually if
they do not show up in add/remove programs?

2. How about the new programs? Just reinstall? Uninstall manually and then
reinstall? Any other way of updating the registry?

Many thanks! Idena

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Please post all replies to your original thread. Thanks.

 

[Randem]

To clear your registry us a tool like Registry Mechanic. This is a good tool
for this. You will also need to do other cleanups also such as temp folders
and such...

--
Randem Systems
The Top Inno Setup Script Generator
http://www.randem.com/innoscript.html
http://www.rndem.com/installerproblems.html
http://www.randem.com/vistainstalls.html
http://www.financialtrainingservices.org

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

To clear your registry us a tool like Registry Mechanic. This is a good tool
for this.

I completely disagree. Registry cleaning programs are *all* snake oil.
Cleaning of the registry isn't needed and is dangerous. Leave the
registry alone and don't use any registry cleaner. Despite what many
people think, and what vendors of registry cleaning software try to
convince you of, having unused registry entries doesn't really hurt
you.

The risk of a serious problem caused by a registry cleaner erroneously
removing an entry you need is far greater than any potential benefit
it may have.

Read here: http://www.edbott.com/weblog/archives/000643.html

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

<pft> Think your Registry needs "cleaning" or "repairing"? Read
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099 and draw your own conclusions.

 

[Kelly]

This has to do with the programs(?) listed via your context (right click)
menu.

It depends on where in the right click menu.

Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\OpenWithList
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers

Customizing Right-Click Menu Options in Windows
http://www.jfitz.com/tips/rclick_custom.html

ContextEdit lets you control which items appear on your context menu
(right-click) in Windows Explorer.

--

All the Best and Happy Turkey Day,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm