Explorer related issues.

DjSt3rios · 10 Mar 2017

Hello all, I am new here, I thought maybe someone could help me with a problem. It all started a few days when I noticed all thumbnails were gone. I checked a few articles from google, all settings were good. I reset the icon cache(some files couldn't be deleted but were 0KB), but most were deleted. Then I used Disk Cleanup tool to clear thumbnails(just in case). After that I rebooted and a few pictures had thumbnails, but most didn't. I tried to open a folder that had a bunch of pictures, all of the icons were white, and the green bar on top was indicating that it was loading something. After waiting a few minutes, explorer restarted itself. I checked event viewer and had this error:

Code:

The program explorer.exe version 10.0.14393.479 stopped interacting with Windows and was closed. To see if more information about the problem is available, check the problem history in the Security and Maintenance control panel.
 Process ID: 1e20
 Start Time: 01d299e3b1625770
 Termination Time: 28
 Application Path: C:\Windows\explorer.exe
 Report Id: e4843fbe-05da-11e7-9c75-40e23085f0f0
 Faulting package full name: 
 Faulting package-relative application ID:

Later on I tried to delete a file by pressing Shift + delete, but nothing happened. I waited for the verification message to pop up, nothing. About 10 minutes later the message appears "Are you sure you want to delete this file?". I am not sure what the hell is going on, I tried running "sfc /scannow" on CMD but no problems were found. Any ideas what could be wrong?Also this happens on my SSD aswell, so it doesn't seem to be a hard drive issue(it basicly happens on all my drives.). Thanks for reading.

TL;DR:
- Thumbnails not working.
- Delete verification window takes ages to show up, explorer sometimes freezing while deleting multiple files.
- Opening files with pictures shows a green bar loading, takes hours to load, freezes, still no thumbnails
- Explorer looks screwed up

dalchina · 10 Mar 2017

Hi, basics:
What happens in
a. Safe Mode
b. After a clean boot

Download, install and run Shellexview (free).
Hide all MS entries, disable all others (no need to log off).
Any change?

History: can you think of any change you made before this started to happen?

Do you have any system restore points you might be able to use?

AndreTen · 10 Mar 2017

If non of the above helps, try CCleaner and delete System related entries as suggested by program. Also run registry cleaner in it (make system restore point before).

DjSt3rios · 11 Mar 2017

Thanks for your answers. Unfortunately the problems are still here. I tried to boot in safe mode, cleared icon cache but still no luck. I also cleaned my PC with CCleaner, and disabled all shell extentions, the problems would still occur. I tried again to make a new folder and when I went to "new" explorer froze.. I think I installed TortoiseSVN recently but I am not sure if the problem was there before or not.

AndreTen · 11 Mar 2017

TortoiseSVN could be the culprit.

You can try to delete some registry entries in :

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\ShellIconOverlayIdentifiers

or just reinstall Tortoise

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dalchina · 11 Mar 2017

If you have usable system restore points prior to this, try system restore. However, this doesn't always work as it should (in which case you get an error message).

We continually strongly recommend the routine use of disk imaging (e.g. Macrium Reflect (free) ) which lets you restore your PC to a previous working state without technical help. Much more robust- and valid even if you have to replace your disk(s).

AndreTen · 11 Mar 2017

dalchina said:

If you have usable system restore points prior to this, try system restore. However, this doesn't always work as it should (in which case you get an error message).

We continually strongly recommend the routine use of disk imaging (e.g. Macrium Reflect (free) ) which lets you restore your PC to a previous working state without technical help. Much more robust- and valid even if you have to replace your disk(s).

Agree (also with your sig statement)

But looks like there is no image available.

DjSt3rios · 11 Mar 2017

I tried to boot to safe mode again (after running CCleaner), and everything worked alright (except mkv files didn't have thumbnails, but all pictures did!), and right clicking and going to "New" didn't freeze explorer. I cleaned thumbnails again, and rebooted to normal mode, but the issues came back. I tried to right click again, and after it froze on "New", I checked the running processes, they were 2 "dllhost.exe" processes. I terminated both, 1 instance started again automatically but now "New" wouldn't freeze explorer. Thumbnails still not working, only few pictures have thumbnails. Not sure what else to try anymore

I also tried uninstalling TortoiseSVN but no luck.

dalchina · 11 Mar 2017

Time for an in-place upgrade repair if you have no restore points?

DjSt3rios · 11 Mar 2017

Eh I guess so. Windows has a small volume with the windows installation CD, I can just upgrade my PC without a USB or CD (just by running setup.exe)? Also please remind me, I won't lose any files if I just choose "upgrade"?

EDIT: I tried to kill again dllhost.exe from task manager, and everything is working great, all files including videos have thumbnails, I can delete files, no problems at all. I will keep this as an alternative in case repair fails. If anyone has any other ideas about this please share :)