How to fix “Windows Explorer has stopped working” in Windows 7

Feb

2009

How to fix “Windows Explorer has stopped working” in Windows 7

While trying to install/uninstall applications from Windows 7 by using the well-known Windows Installer, or even while trying to update the operating system by using Windows Update, the system could get stuck or crash causing Windows Explorer or even Windows Installer itself to give the user the following error messages: “Windows Explorer has stopped working” - “Windows Installer has stopped working”.

Windows 7, unable to find a proper solution to this issue, will go on with its messages, returning after a while with another dialog box containing this cryptic sentence: “Windows is checking for a solution to the problem…” followed by “Do you want to send more information about the problem?”. Here is the hack to fix this errors.

Click Start.
In the Search Bar, type regedit and press Enter.
Locate the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ SQMClient\Windows\DisabledSessions
In the right pane delete this subkey: MachineThrottling
Turn your computer off and back on for the change to take effect.

Please, check comments below, even older ones. A lot of users posted how they managed to solve this issue!

Tags: bugs, hack, Windows 7

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216 Comments to “How to fix “Windows Explorer has stopped working” in Windows 7”

sursha Says:
February 2nd, 2012

Solutions For “Windows Explorer Has Stopped Working” Error:
Option 1. Run CHKDSK
Go to the Start button.
In the Search box, type “cmd” (without quotes) and press Enter.
At the command prompt, type “chkdsk /r /f” (without quotes) and press Enter.
Reboot your computer.
NOTE: You might receive an error message that states:
“Access denied as you do not have significant privileges. You have to invoke this utility in elevated mode.”
If you receive the above error message, it means you are not logged into you computer as an Administrator. If that’s the case, follow these steps to run the command prompt in elevated mode:
Go to theStart button.
Go to “All Programs > Accessories” and right click on “Command Prompt”.
Select “Run as Administrator”.
In the Search box, type “cmd” (without quotes) and press Enter.
At the command prompt, type “chkdsk /r /f” (without quotes) and press Enter.
Reboot your computer.
Option 2. Tweak IE Options
Open Internet Explorer.
Go to “Tools > Internet Options > Advanced Tab”.
Uncheck “Enable third-party browser extensions”.
Click “Apply”.
Reboot your computer.
Option 3. Machine Throttling
Go to the Start button.
In the Search box, type “regedit” (without quotes) and press Enter.
Look for the following registry key: “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ SQMClient\Windows\DisabledSessions”.
On the right window pane, delete the subkey: “Machine Throttling”.
Reboot your computer.
Make sure you try the options in order and only move to the next option if your are still receiving the “Windows Explorer or Installer Has Stopped Working” error message.
sursha Says:
February 2nd, 2012

Solutions For “Windows Explorer Has Stopped Working” Error:
option 1
Go to theStart button.
Go to “All Programs > Accessories” and right click on “Command Prompt”.
Select “Run as Administrator”.
In the Search box, type “cmd” (without quotes) and press Enter.
At the command prompt, type “chkdsk /r /f” (without quotes) and press Enter.
Reboot your computer. OR START WIDOWS SAFE MODE WITH COMMAND PROMPT
Option 2. Tweak IE Options
Open Internet Explorer.
Go to “Tools > Internet Options > Advanced Tab”.
Uncheck “Enable third-party browser extensions”.
Click “Apply”.
Reboot your computer.
Option 3. Machine Throttling
Go to the Start button.
In the Search box, type “regedit” (without quotes) and press Enter.
Look for the following registry key: “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ SQMClient\Windows\DisabledSessions”.
On the right window pane, delete the subkey: “Machine Throttling”.
Reboot your computer.
Make sure you try the options in order and only move to the next option if your are still receiving the “Windows Explorer or Installer Has Stopped Working” error message.
ricky Says:
February 10th, 2012

simple remember if you download some new app. just erase it! me i just download divx player then i got this warning! WINDOWS EXPLORER IS STOP WORKING do it guys and no more headache!
i rock Says:
May 3rd, 2012

the first one was not at all helpful
plzz provide some more solutions
sindhu Says:
May 20th, 2012

we copied files from a pendrive and stored in D drive and now we are not able to access the D drive, we are getting “WINDOWS EXPLORER HAS STOPED WORKING” and if restarted it is getting closed, please let us know what to do. even we are trying the Sfc/scannow and its showing you should be an administrator to use this utility. even we are accessing the run administrator and its not asking for us to continue or not, its getting me nuts. please help us its very urgent
CD Says:
May 26th, 2012

strange, in my regedit on that key, the config. stands on “Default” and there is no “MachineThrottling” present, the only thing that’s written = “(Default) REG_SZ (value not set)” ! Where can I get some keys please?
pardeep8936 Says:
May 28th, 2012

ya i agree with ricky
my window was running fine but whn i installed roxio creator thn 2 & 3 (divX, face filter extra) more apps were insalled with roxio & whn i open heavy folder like a movie file up 2gb thn explorer stops working
so i removed it and problem was solved
so try to remove this type of software or heavy software
PRO Says:
August 24th, 2012

If you have >>>ASUS<<< uninstall ASUS WEB STORAGE and problem solved in 2 seconds
GOGETA Says:
September 9th, 2012

PRO: Thanks a lot a bro! You said the simplest and faster solution. LIKE!!
JRH Says:
September 19th, 2012

Here’s the fix that worked for me. Really simple.
http://www.computertooslow.com/windows-explorer-has-stopped-working.asp
b1tchezz Says:
November 30th, 2012

thanks PRO best help.worked also for me
Wouter Says:
January 10th, 2013

Thanks PRO. The problem occured after installing and uninstalling Spotify. After a hard time finding a solution … this might be the easiest and only working solution!