Some users have reported an issue in which the Windows 7 Start Menu or “All Programs” listing is suddenly blank, displaying no icons, nor the names of any programs, shortcuts, etc.
It appears that this problem is due to Windows 7′s inability to handle a large number of listings, in some cases.
Fix
Greg Duncan has posted a fix for this issue. It involves moving a number of shortcuts/folders from Start Menu/Programs into a new subfolder, such as Start Menu/Programs/Stuff, and then restartng Windows Explorer. The process must be repeated until the icons appear. You can read the full fix at Greg’s blog.
Filed under Windows 7 by on Jun 26th, 2009. 5 Comments. 
Under various versions of Windows, Windows Explorer may repeatedly crash either when certain actions are taken (e.g. right-clicking an item), after several minutes of use, or immediately after the system starts up. In some cases, the following error messages are displayed:
- “Windows Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close”
The first thing you need to do, if this problem occurs as soon as your system starts up or whenever you click on any file or try to perform any other action, is download a copy of Universal Explorer, an alternative file viewer. This will at least allow you access to the system so that you can make changes and begin troubleshooting.
Next, begin with the following potential fixes:
Turn off DEP In some cases, Data Execution Prevention may be causing the crashes to occur. Turning this option off for Windows Explorer may leave your system more vulnerable to viruses and other malware, but may allow your system to function properly until you can find another workaround. To turn off DEP for Windows Explorer, follow these steps:
- Click the Start button
- Open the Control Panel
- Open System
- Select the “Advanced” tab
- Under “Performance,” choose Settings.
- Select the “Data Execution Prevention” tab.
- Select the option “Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select.”
- Click “Add…”
- Find Windows Explorer, which is generally located in c:\windows\explorer.exe and select it.
- Restart your system and check for persistence of the issue
Note that if Windows Explorer keeps crashing during the above steps, you can open the command line and type bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOff and accomplish the same effect.
Disable Shell extensions The site HelpWithWindows suggests that errant shell extensions may be to blame for Windows Explorer crashes, especially in cases wherein the issue occurs upon right-clicking certain files.
Download and install the tool ShellExView. It will show the description, as well as version details, company information, location, file name and more of any installed shell extensions and allow you to disable them.
Start by disabling all third-party shell extensions, then restarting your computer. If Windows Explorer doesn’t continue crashing, you know that a shell extension is to blame. Start re-enabling them one-by-one or in groups until you identify the culprit, then leave it disabled.
Switch antivirus software As we have noted, the presence of two overlapping antivirus or antimalware/spyware/firewall tools can cause various conflicts. Users should install one (and only one) strong anti-virus package and make sure it’s up-to-date.
In addition, certain antivirus packages can conflict with installed system software while other antivirus packages are not.
If you have already tried the aforementioned workarounds, completely remove or disable all antivirus/spyware software (Norton 360, ZoneAlarm, AVG, etc.). In fact, you may need to uninstall the packages–simply disabling may not work.
Next, re-install one and only one solid antivirus/spyware tool. If the crashes still occur, uninstall that package and try a different one.
Filed under Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP by on Jun 23rd, 2009. 1 Comment.
[We have already published two other fixes for this issue: turning off thumbnails and looking for a recently created or saved file that might be causing the problem. If they fail, try the following]
After upgrading to Windows Vista SP2, you may experience an issue in which you receive the error message “Windows Explorer Has Stopped Working” followed by a sudden quit of Windows Explorer or a disappearance of all on-screen windows, or a message that says “Windows Explorer will restart.”
Fix
This problem can often be solved by creating a new user account. To do this, follow these basic steps:
(note that if you can’t even get to the control panel to set up a new account, you can try booting in Safe Mode then creating a new user account [using the steps below] and logging into it, then restarting. To start in safe mode, tap the F8 key on your keyboard repeatedly as the computer is starting up. Select safe mode with networking. Once the system is booted in safe mode, you may be asked to install updates–do so. )
Instructions for creating a new user account:
- Click Start and select Control Panel
- Click “User Accounts”
- Under User Accounts and Family Safety, select Add or Remove User Accounts
- Click Create a new account
- Choose an account name and type it in
- Select standard or administrator
- Click Create Account
- Select the account again and create a password if desired
- Log in to the new account and check for persistence of the issue
Filed under Windows Vista by on Jun 19th, 2009. 4 Comments.
Users have reported an issue in which Adobe Reader does not function properly under Windows 7. In particular, users report problems with intra-browser viewing of PDFs, noting that they sometimes get a blank pop-up with an Adobe title and an OK or hangs in the browser when attempting to view PDFs. The problem is most likely to occur in Internet Explorer 8.
Use an alternative reader
Several users have been able to quickly an easily work around this issue by installing and using an alternative PDF reader. One good choice is the free Foxit Reader. It tends to use fewer resources than Adobe Reader, and works well in Windows 7.
Filed under Windows 7 by on May 21st, 2009. 4 Comments.
Microsoft has identified an issue with the Windows 7 RC1 (7100) build in which the folder that is created as the root folder of the system drive (%SystemDrive%) is missing entries in its security descriptor. The company says that this problem can cause the following to occur: “applications that reference folders under the root may not install successfully or may not uninstall successfully. Additionally, operations or applications that reference these folders may fail. [...] some specific operations, such as deleting the folder, will fail when they are performed from a non-elevated command prompt.”
Fix
Microsoft has released a hotfix for this problem, but it should only be applied to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. The fix is available through Windows Update.
Filed under Windows 7 by on May 8th, 2009. Comment.
Determining whether or not malware is to blame for any given troubleshooting issue can be tricky. Some malware-caused issues manifest as simple application instability, slowness or seemingly random freezes. However, there are a few instances in which malware is a more-than-likely culprit. In this series of articles (“Signs That You Have Malware”), we’ll explore some of the tell-tale signs and reiterate the best methods for ridding your system of the infection.
Today’s sign: One or more flashing windows that suddenly pop up then disappear. Generally these windows are blank and cannot be closed, re-opened or otherwise manipulated.
Why it might be malware A constantly reappearing but non-functional window can be the result of an unwanted executable attempting to run.
How to get rid of it Start with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, a shareware malware and spyware removal tool that can eliminate many types of unwanted executables.
Next, move on to Microsoft’s Malicious Software Removal tool. Microsoft releases an updated version of this tool on the second Tuesday of each month, and “as needed to respond to security incidents.” You can keep it up to date with Microsoft Update, Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center
Finally, run a scan with a good anti-virus package. AVG is free, and comes highly recommended by users and experts alike. Just remember, stick to one good anti-virus package. Installing multiple anti-virus programs can actually weaken your protection and introduce performance and stability issues. The following anti-virus apps are also recommended:
Filed under Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP by on Mar 31st, 2009. Comment.
Several users have reported an issue wherein, after opening several tabs and or windows in Internet Explorer, newly spawned tabs or windows come up blank and non-functional, or do not appear at all. In other words, when some number of tabs or windows is reached, the program (for all intents and purposes) stops functioning. Other system problems can manifest when this issue occurs, including an inability to right-click items in Windows Explorers and more.
This issue, and other problems–such as sluggishness, rendering problems, and others–that occur when many windows have been opened in Internet Explorer (and generally after extended periods of use) can sometimes be resolved by resetting the browser. This can be accomplished by clicking on the “Tools” menu, then navigating to Options > Advanced > Reset. Close Internet Explorer, then launch it again.
Resetting an also resolve persistent crashes in Internet Explorer, at least until the problematic settings and other data resurface, at which point you’ll need to reset the browser again.
Note that resetting Internet Explorer will delete any custom settings, history, form entires, as well as other personal data.
Filed under Internet Explorer 8 by on Mar 29th, 2009. Comment.