@rev246 Welcome to HP Community!
I understand that you are facing an issue with explorer.exe.
- Due to outdated security and without the presence of a good antivirus software it is possible that your system is being infected with some virus, malware or trojan which can be the cause of this error.
- Due to any corrupted device driver especially video driver etc.
- Due to outdated device drivers.
- Any particular software or game can also be the cause of this error.
There are different methods you can fix the issue.
Method 1: Scan with a good antivirus and antimalware program
Method 2: Remove unwanted/corrupted 3rd party software's menu from registry
Method 3: Remove unwanted/corrupted 3rd party software's entries from Startup
Method 4: Remove unwanted/corrupted 3rd party software's services from Startup services
Method 5: Update Windows drivers
Method 6: Check windows system file with system file checker
Method 7: Install Windows latest updates
Method 8: Find the ".dll" or ".exe" file name and path which one is conflicting with Windows explorer and do appropriate action on it
let me know how that pans out,
And the answer to the above question will help me, help you!
Keep me posted, and if any of the above questionnaires helped resolve the issue,
Mark this post as an "Accepted Solution".
Good luck.