File Explorer loads 1, 2 or more copies on startup

Sigurd · 16 Sep 2017

For some reason a few weeks ago my PC started loading copies of File Explorer on startup. Some days it won't load any, the next day it will load 1, 2 or more copies. While there is probably some reason for this, it is not one I have been able to work out. If it was one copy every day then I would assume a setting in the register. But given the randomness of this that seems unlikely and in any case I would rather not start changing things in the register without some advice!
Thanks.

TairikuOkami · 16 Sep 2017

Those are the only entries I know. Run CMD as admin and copy/paste:

Code:

reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v "Shell" /t REG_SZ /d "explorer.exe" /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v "Userinit" /t REG_SZ /d "C:\Windows\System32\userinit.exe," /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v "Shell" /t REG_SZ /d "explorer.exe" /f
reg add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager" /v "BootExecute" /t REG_MULTI_SZ /d "autocheck autochk *" /f
reg add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager" /v "SETUPEXECUTE" /t REG_MULTI_SZ /d "" /f

You can also check with Autoruns for suspicious entries.

Select - Options - Hide Microsoft entries
so you would not disable something important

Then check tabs: Logon / Scheduled Tasks / Services / Explorer (probably most important)