Posted by The common error, “Windows Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience,” that occurs at startup or when trying to access a Windows folder (i.e., My Computer, My Pictures, etc) can be caused by any number of things. To try to fix this Windows explorer error, try the following options:
Windows Explorer Fixes
In general, rebooting your PC immediately after you encounter a Windows Explorer error may solve the problem. If not, try one of the other options.
- Go into your Control Panel
- Select Internet Options
- Go to the Advanced tab
- Uncheck the “Enable third party browser extension” tab
- Click OK or Apply
- Restart
If your OS is Windows XP, try going to the Start menu:
- Select Run
- Type “regsvr32 /u shmedia.dll” into the command prompt
- Press Run
- The command will let you unregister shmedia.dll and hopefully remove the Windows Explorer error.
Check to See if Windows Explorer is Infected
Some Windows Explorer errors can be caused by malware on your computer. Try downloading and enabling a scan that includes malware in its protection services. Run a scan, remove any malware and viruses found, and restart your computer.
Did You Install New Software?
If the error started occurring after you installed any new software, try uninstalling it and rebooting. If the error does not occur anymore, reinstall the software and ensure that the install didn’t cause the error again.
Maintain Your Registry
Try resetting your computer to the Last Known Good Configuration by pressing F8 when you restart your computer. As a last resort, back up all of your important files on your computer (preferably on a CD or a USB drive) and do a system restore. This may or may not require the Windows XP CD.
The error might also be a result of corrupted registry files. Prevent Windows Explorer errors by downloading and utilizing a good registry cleaner. This will find and fix any registry errors, prevent future registry errors, and keep your files and computer safe.
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