Explorer.exe becoming unresponsive at startup?

Question

Basically, whenever I start my computer, the process 'explorer.exe' becomes unresponsive. No matter what length of time I leave it for, it doesn't sort itself out, so I always have to go onto Task Manager and end the process, then start it again.

When explorer.exe is unresponsive, this is what Task Manager shows me:

Image Name: explorer.exe

Username: user

CPU: 00

Memory Usage: 21,112K

- This is when I have no windows open at startup. The only thing onscreen is the internet connection box and my anti spyware splash screen.

When explorer.exe is running as it should, it looks like this:

Image Name: explorer.exe

Username: user

CPU: 10

Memory Usage: 12,236K

- This is with 5 windows open after I have restarted explorer.exe.

So...any ideas as to how I can fix this?

Thanks,

Tom.

Answer 1

Hmm... if you start up the computer and left the desktop alone for a long time, does the explorer.exe respond and computer start up fine? If that happens, I would think more RAM or increase virtual memory if you cant get more RAM? Or reduce the amount of start up items by Ctrl-R -> msconfig -> Startup and uncheck programs you think might not be needed at start up.

Answer 2

What operating system do you have? It seems like either the system is having trouble starting explorer successfully on login, or explorer is having trouble with another application on start-up (possibly your screen saver? or if you have vista aero?)

You could try replacing the explorer shell (should help in the first scenario)

start > run > regedit

navigate to the following:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

Software

Microsoft

Windows NT

Current Version

Winlogon

in the right pane double click on 'shell' replace the data value contents with explorer.exe (even if it already says explorer.exe replace it anyway) then reboot

run malwarebytes or a similar antimalware program after you reboot, just as a precaution in case the problem is related to malware/viruses

Answer 3

If you have the windows recovery disk or the original install disk used to setup your system, put the cd into the drive.  The cd will be read and the auto play option will come up.  Close out of any thing that pops open.  Click Start>Run> and type in sfc /scannow.  This is the system file check utility built into windows.  It will verify all operating system files against what is on the cd.  Anything that has been corrupted or infected will be changed back to its original version.