mp4 files crashes Windows Explorer

This is not a BSOD. What happens is whenever I move my mouse over a VLC mp4 file and attempt to click on it, Explorer starts locking up, the Explorer window goes gray and the taskbar suddenly disappears (Windows Explorer crash) and then recovers and the video file will then play in VLC like it normally should. Strange since I have "Show Thumbnails" turned off.

Somebody elsewhere hinted that it might be a shell extension problem and that something in the registry is causing it, but I'm skeptical. However, this only happens with mp4 (and AAC) files and nothing else, so it's specific to that file extension.

Anybody have any ideas?

I'm running Windows 10 Pro 22H2.

Thanks...

cheaterslick said:

Somebody elsewhere hinted that it might be a shell extension problem and that something in the registry is causing it, but I'm skeptical. However, this only happens with mp4 (and AAC) files and nothing else, so it's specific to that file extension.

This is exactly what I was going to post.

cheaterslick said:

Anybody have any ideas?

Yes. Run Autoruns and wait about 20 seconds for everything to load (never did that in older versions), then go to the top under File and save the ARN file. Zip that ARN file and upload here. DO NOT monkey with anything without first creating a system restore point or a backup of your computer. You've been warned.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sy...loads/autoruns

F22 Simpilot said:

Yes. Run Autoruns and wait about 20 seconds for everything to load (never did that in older versions), then go to the top under File and save the ARN file. Zip that ARN file and upload here. DO NOT monkey with anything without first creating a system restore point or a backup of your computer. You've been warned.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sy...loads/autoruns

Will do. I'm at work right now but I will upload that zip file when I get home. Thanks.

F22 Simpilot said:

Yes. Run Autoruns and wait about 20 seconds for everything to load (never did that in older versions), then go to the top under File and save the ARN file. Zip that ARN file and upload here. DO NOT monkey with anything without first creating a system restore point or a backup of your computer. You've been warned.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sy...loads/autoruns

Here's the zip file attached....

arn.7z

Nothing's been changed or adjusted.

dalchina said:

History please (so often not given)..
- when did this start happening?
- what changed or what did you change just before that?

If recently, consider using a System Restore point created before that.

Note that Shellexview (free) is simpler to use than Autoruns in disabling/enabling shell extensions. (Tutorial refers).

Autoruns has sections of the list of startups it shows dedicated to shell extensions- you need to be more careful with that as it covers EVERYTHING.

I first noticed it a few months ago. I let it go until now since I rarely open mp4 files. Now it's time I think I should do something about it.

And yes, I do have Shellexview installed as well..