Windows Explorer crashes

[Dan]

I have Windows XP Pro with SP1a and all critical updates installed.

Whenever I right-click on the Start menu on the 2nd time only it
crashes and brings up an error report popup message while some icons
from the bottom right in the taskbar go missing. It always happens on
the 2nd time and never on the 1st time.

Any solutions why?

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

Hi Dan,

This type of behavior is often caused by a bad context-menu handler. Here is
a neat way to track it down. Download ShellExView from the following site:
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/shellexview.html and run it. It will scan the
registry for all the shell extensions. Once the scan is over and the list is
displayed, you need to spot the context menu handlers. Sort the results
using "Type", so that the context menu handlers are displayed together.

General rule here is to disable non-Microsoft context menu handlers
*one-by-one* and verify if the problem is solved. If disabling one does not
solve the problem, undo the disabled item and disable the next non-Microsoft
handler. Do the same until the problem is solved and finally identify the
culprit. Scroll right to see the Company Name column in ShellExView
More Information on this: http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/slowrightclick.htm

References / Additional reading:

Windows XP: Right click and delete opens the file:
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/WinXP/Q_21083515.html

Windows XP: delete dialog takes a while to show:
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/WinXP/Q_21082854.html

Windows XP: Windows XP Pro has Explorer error, memory could not be "Read":
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/WinXP/Q_21074450.html

Windows XP: Properties option on all Windows Context Menus:
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/WinXP/Q_21067818.html

If that does not help, inspect the Event Log at the time/date the error
occurred. See "How do I view the error messages registered in Event Log?"
http://www.winxptutor.com/eventlog.htm. Post the details here.

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Window XP Shell/User
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k


I have Windows XP Pro with SP1a and all critical updates installed.

Whenever I right-click on the Start menu on the 2nd time only it
crashes and brings up an error report popup message while some icons
from the bottom right in the taskbar go missing. It always happens on
the 2nd time and never on the 1st time.

Any solutions why?

 

[Dan]

Hi Ramesh,

I tried it and it worked.

Trusted programs by Symantec and Adobe were not disabled.

I disabled WinRar 3.30 and Spy Sweeper 3.0 and now I don't get any
crashes when right-clicking hopefully! I am not sure which of the two
is the more offending program?

Danny.

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

Hi Danny,

Mostly Spy Sweeper 3.0 and AVG Anti-virus shell extensions cause this.
Remember, the most trusted ones can also cause the problem. Suspect every
context-menu and you'll find the answer atlast

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Window XP Shell/User
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k


Hi Ramesh,

I tried it and it worked.

Trusted programs by Symantec and Adobe were not disabled.

I disabled WinRar 3.30 and Spy Sweeper 3.0 and now I don't get any
crashes when right-clicking hopefully! I am not sure which of the two
is the more offending program?

Danny.

Hi Dan,

This type of behavior is often caused by a bad context-menu handler. Here
is
a neat way to track it down. Download ShellExView from the following site:
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/shellexview.html and run it. It will scan the
registry for all the shell extensions. Once the scan is over and the list
is
displayed, you need to spot the context menu handlers. Sort the results
using "Type", so that the context menu handlers are displayed together.

General rule here is to disable non-Microsoft context menu handlers
*one-by-one* and verify if the problem is solved. If disabling one does not
solve the problem, undo the disabled item and disable the next
non-Microsoft
handler. Do the same until the problem is solved and finally identify the
culprit. Scroll right to see the Company Name column in ShellExView
More Information on this: http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/slowrightclick.htm

References / Additional reading:

<snip>

 

[Dan]

Hi Ramesh,

I see Norton Anti-Virus and Norton Clean Sweep in the context menu as
well. Are they allowed to be disabled from any menu's and the
programs will still function in the background?

Thanks,

Danny.

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

Danny,

You only need to spot the particuler context-menu handler (which you did
already) and eliminate it. Leave it as it is now. And, removing the
context-menu handler does not remove the program.

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Window XP Shell/User
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k


Hi Ramesh,

I see Norton Anti-Virus and Norton Clean Sweep in the context menu as
well. Are they allowed to be disabled from any menu's and the
programs will still function in the background?

Thanks,

Danny.

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Dan

Keep an eye on Cleansweep. It does not have a good reputation!

--

~~~~~~


Hope this helps.

Gerry
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FCA

Stourport, Worcs, England
Enquire, plan and execute.
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