Thursday, August 21, 2025

Fix “Windows Explorer Has Stopped Working” Error in Windows 7


 







Fix “Windows Explorer Has Stopped Working” Error in Windows 7 – Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Are you constantly seeing the message “Windows Explorer has stopped working” while using your Windows 7 PC? This issue can interrupt your workflow and make your system feel unstable.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to fix it permanently.

What Causes This Error?

  • Corrupt system files

  • Problematic third-party software

  • Faulty shell extensions

  • Outdated display drivers

  • Malware or virus infection

🔧 Solution 1: Run System File Checker (SFC Scan)

  1. Click Start, then type cmd in the search box.

  2. Right-click cmd and choose Run as administrator.

  3. In Command Prompt, type:

    sfc /scannow

  4. Press Enter and wait for the scan to finish.

This will repair any corrupted system files.

Solution 2: Perform a Clean Boot

This helps determine if a third-party service is causing the crash.

  1. Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.

  2. Go to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.

  3. Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.

  4. Disable all startup items, close Task Manager, and click OK.

  5. Restart your computer.

If the error stops, a startup program or service is the cause.

Solution 3: Update Display Drivers

  1. Right-click Computer and choose Manage.

  2. Go to Device Manager > Display adapters.

  3. Right-click your graphics driver and choose Update Driver Software.

  4. Select Search automatically or download the latest driver from the manufacturer’s site.

Solution 4: Disable Problematic Shell Extensions

  1. Download ShellExView (free utility by NirSoft).

  2. Run it and sort by "Type".

  3. Disable non-Microsoft shell extensions (Right-click > Disable Selected Items).

  4. Restart your computer and test.

Solution 5: Scan for Malware

Run a full system scan using:

  • Windows Defender

  • Malwarebytes (recommended)

Malware can inject code into explorer.exe causing crashes.