Windows XP Starts Crashing With Windows Explorer trapped in a crash cycle (even in Safe Mode)

Introduction

Windows Explorer is an essential component of the Windows operating system that allows users to browse files and folders on their computer. However, sometimes Windows Explorer can start randomly crashing, becoming worse over time, and even lead to a crash cycle where it continually crashes every few seconds. This issue can be frustrating and can prevent users from opening any programs, making it difficult to use their computer. In this blog post, we will explore the possible causes of Windows Explorer crashing and how to fix it.

Possible Causes of Windows Explorer Crashing

There can be several reasons why Windows Explorer is crashing. Some of the most common causes include:

Corrupted System Files

If there are corrupted system files on your computer, it can cause Windows Explorer to crash. This issue can occur due to malware infections, hardware failures, or software conflicts. The corrupted files can prevent Windows Explorer from working correctly, leading to crashes.

Outdated or Incompatible Drivers

Outdated or incompatible drivers can also cause Windows Explorer to crash. Drivers are software programs that allow hardware devices to communicate with the operating system. If a driver is outdated or incompatible, it can cause conflicts with Windows Explorer, leading to crashes.

Third-Party Shell Extensions

Third-party shell extensions are software programs that integrate with Windows Explorer and provide additional functionality. However, some of these shell extensions can be poorly designed and cause Windows Explorer to crash. If you have recently installed any third-party software on your computer, it could be the cause of the problem.

Hardware Issues

Hardware issues can also cause Windows Explorer to crash. If there is a problem with your hard drive, RAM, or other hardware components, it can cause Windows Explorer to crash.

Software Conflicts

Software conflicts can occur if there are two or more programs installed on your computer that are not compatible with each other. When these programs run simultaneously, they can cause conflicts with Windows Explorer, leading to crashes.

How to Fix Windows Explorer Crashing

Now that we have explored the possible causes of Windows Explorer crashing, let’s look at how to fix it.

Method 1: Restart Windows Explorer

The first thing you should try is to restart Windows Explorer. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click on the “Processes” tab.
3. Find “Windows Explorer” in the list of processes.
4. Click on “Windows Explorer” and then click on “Restart.”

This will restart Windows Explorer and may fix the problem.

Method 2: Run System File Checker

System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in Windows tool that scans for and repairs corrupted system files. To run SFC, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + X and click on “Command Prompt (Admin).”
2. Type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
3. Wait for the scan to complete.
4. If any corrupted files are found, SFC will attempt to repair them.
5. Restart your computer and check if the problem is resolved.

Method 3: Update or Rollback Drivers

If outdated or incompatible drivers are causing the problem, you can update or rollback the drivers to fix the issue. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + X and click on “Device Manager.”
2. Find the device with the outdated or incompatible driver.
3. Right-click on the device and click on “Update Driver.”
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver.
5. If updating the driver doesn’t fix the problem, right-click on the device and click on “Properties.”
6. Click on the “Driver” tab and then click on “Roll Back Driver.”
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to roll back the driver.

Method 4: Disable Third-Party Shell Extensions

If third-party shell extensions are causing the problem, you can disable them to fix the issue. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click on the “Processes” tab.
3. Find “Windows Explorer” in the list of processes.
4. Right-click on “Windows Explorer” and click on “End Task.”
5. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
6. Type “regedit” and press Enter.
7. Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTDirectoryshellexContextMenuHandlers.
8. Right-click on each subkey and click on “Export” to create a backup of the subkey.
9. Delete each subkey one by one and then restart your computer.

Method 5: Perform a Clean Boot

Performing a clean boot can help you identify if a software conflict is causing the problem. To perform a clean boot, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “msconfig” and press Enter.
3. Click on the “Services” tab and then check the “Hide all Microsoft services” box.
4. Click on “Disable all.”
5. Click on the “Startup” tab and then click on “Open Task Manager.”
6. Disable all startup programs one by one.
7. Restart your computer and check if the problem is resolved.

Method 6: Perform a System Restore

If none of the above methods work, you can perform a system restore to restore your computer to a previous state when Windows Explorer was working correctly. To perform a system restore, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “rstrui” and press Enter.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your computer to a previous state.

Conclusion

Windows Explorer crashing can be a frustrating issue that prevents users from using their computer. However, by following the above methods, you can fix the problem and get back to using your computer without any issues. If you are still experiencing issues after trying these methods, it may be best to contact a professional for further assistance.

It appears that the issue was related to a corrupted thumbcache.db file located in %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer. By renaming the Explorer directory, the problem was resolved, and everything functions properly when booting Windows normally.