File Explorer dies unless launched from MyComputer

kayzee · 06 Apr 2021

Hi All.

I'm using Win10 (Version 2004, build 19041.867). This problem seems to have come around in the last month or so; worked fine until then.

If I launch the file explorer with windowskey-E or from the search bar it dies a second after launching, taking with it my other windows but they come back after a second. (They disappear from the task bar but return fully intact, except file explorer itself). If I click on MyComputer on the desktop it works fine.

This is driving me crazy. Can anyone explain why this is happening.

Try3 · 06 Apr 2021

By the way, your description sounds like Windows crashing then automatically restarting.

1 I suggest SFC in the first instance SFC-DISM - TenForumsTutorials

2 Then try a Repair Install - TenForumsTutorials

If that does not resolve matters then post back to seek more help. I do not know what might usefully be done next to diagnose the problem.

Denis

FreeBooter · 06 Apr 2021

Buggy shell extension can cause problems also corrupted media file can cause File Explorer to crash.

Disable third-party shell extensions to found out any one of them causing file explorer to crash.

Fix: Slow Right Click and Explorer Crashes Caused by Shell Extensions - Winhelponline

ShellExView - Shell Extension Manager For Windows

kayzee · 11 Apr 2021

I finally got around to looking at this. Using ShellExView I narrowed it down to LibreOffice Property Handler. Interestingly if I disabled and re-enabled it, or enabled it only after windows started, it came good.

But in the end I had an old LibreOffice version (3.6) and upgrading it fixed the issue.

Thank you for your help.

FreeBooter · 11 Apr 2021

You are very welcome!