My system has explorer.exe error

[Chittakamol]

When I start the laptop. Has pop-up error "explorer.exe" Windows cannot find '(null)'. Make sure you type name correctly, and then try again. This error happen every time when start the laptop.

And sometime my program which I install was gone from my laptop with the error "Problem with shortcut" The item 'ProgramName' that this shortcut refers to has been changed or moved, so this shortcut will no longer word properly. Do you want to delete this shortcut?

Have anyone see this problem please help me. Can I do fix something in my Laptop

[Riddle_Decipher]

@Chittakamol When you start experiencing explorer.exe issues, there are several things you can do to try to fix them and I'll guide you through all those fixes, Let's start with my personal favorite:

1. Backup the Registry by creating a System Restore Point
2. Open the Task Manager (press Ctrl+Shift+Esc)
3. Click File – New Task (Run)
4. Type regedit in the Run box and then click OK
5. Browse to this registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution.options 

6. If you see sub-keys named explorer.exe and iexplorer.exe under this key, delete them. These keys should not be listed under this key, which means they are a virus
7. Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC

This should restore explorer.exe to its working state and get rid of the virus (if any)

If the issue persists, here's the next step:

1. Press the Windows key to open the Start Menu.
2. Select Search.
3. Type-in cmd.
4. Right-click on Command Prompt from the search results list.
5. Click Run as administrator.
6. Log in as an Administrator.
7. When Command Prompt launches, type the command: chkdsk C: /f /r /x.
8. press enter and wait until the process completes, to resolve the issue

P.S: Welcome to HP Community 😉

Let me know how that pans out,

If you feel I was helpful, simply click on Accept as Solution to help the community grow,

That said, I will have someone follow-up on this to ensure you've been helped,

Just in case you don't get back to us, 

have a good day, ahead.

[Mickael_C]

Hi Riddle_Decipher

I'm currently encountering the same issue with my laptop HP Spectre x360 - 15-df0011nf. Windows 10 (x64) version 1909.

This error occurs every time my system starts, during the minute after the session has open. I don't really remember when it starts but not long ago.

I have tried your first solution and found a folder key for iexplorer.exe here (nothing for explorer.exe):

Ordinateur\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\iexplore.exe

I removed it and restart my laptop but the issue was still here (and the key was still gone).

By the way I got this key on my professional laptop so I'm not sure it can be associated to a virus.

I also have tried the chkdsk C: /f /r /x command (planned from start) but nothing changed.

I have run a scan analysis from system start with Avast free edition (my current protection against virus) and nothing was spotted.

After this last scan the error still occurs and when I checked again the iexplorer.exe key was back.

Do you have another suggestion? Or should I restore my system to get rid of the issue?

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks

Mickael

[Chittakamol]

 Hi Riddle_Decipher

Thank you for advice me. I try to do 2 things that you tell me but after open laptop the error still happen. If you have another solution, Please recommend me to do something.

Best Regards,

Chittakamol.

[Riddle_Decipher]

@Mickael_C & @Chittakamol I have a few more things we can try, check out the below solutions:

Solution 1 – Update your Windows 10

Microsoft is aware of this issue and it is going to be fixed with a specific Windows update. So if you’re having this issue, the best thing that you can do is to check for updates regularly and keep your Windows 10 up to date.

Solution 2 – Change the size of virtual memory

To change the size of virtual memory do the following:

1. Click Start > File Explorer.
2. Right click on This PC > Properties > Advanced System Settings.
3. Go to the Advanced Tab and under the Performance section click on Settings button.
4. In the Performance Options window locate the Virtual memory section and click the Change button.
5. Uncheck the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives box.
6. Select the Custom size option.
7. Enter the Maximum size in MB. Good practice is to keep the virtual memory x1.5 larger than your RAM memory.
8. Click Set and then OK to apply the changes.

Solution 3 - Run the SFC scanner in Windows 10:

1. Go to Search, type cmd, and open the Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Paste the following command and press Enter: sfc/scannow
3. Wait for the process to finish.
4. Restart your computer.

Solution 4 – Run DISM

Now, let’s try with yet another troubleshooting tool implemented into Windows. DISM (Deployment Image & Servicing Management) is a more powerful troubleshooter used for dealing with various system errors in Windows.So, if the SFC scan didn’t get the job done, maybe you’ll have more luck with DISM. If you want to find out more about this tool, check out our article on DISM. Here’s how to run DISM in Windows 10:

Open the Command Prompt as shown above.

1. Enter the following command and press Enter:
   • • DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
2. Wait for the process to finish.
3. Restart your computer.
4. In case the DISM can’t obtain files online, try using your installation USB or DVD. Insert media and type following command:
   • • DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:C:RepairSourceWindows /LimitAccess
5. Make sure to replace ”C:RepairSourceWindows” path of your DVD or USB.
6. Follow further on-screen instructions.

Solution 5 – Disable the taskbar auto-hide

Some users reported that having the taskbar auto-hide option enabled can cause the Explorer.exe Application Error. So, the obvious solution, in this case, is to turn off the auto-hide option.

I’m not exactly sure why this causes problems, but it won’t hurt if we try disabling it. In case you’re not sure how to disable the auto-hide option, just follow these instructions:

1. Go to the Settings app.
2. Now, head over to Personalization > Taskbar.
3. Disable both “Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode” and “Automatically hide the taskbar in tablet mode“.
4. Restart your computer.

If the taskbar auto-hide indeed caused the Explorer.exe Application Error, your problems should be solved now. However, if you’re still experiencing the error after disabling the taskbar auto-hide, there’s one more thing you can try.

Solution 6 – Run Memory Diagnostic Tool

And finally, if none of the solutions from above managed to solve the Explorer.exe Application Error we’re going to try with one last troubleshooting tool.

And that’s Memory Diagnostic Tool. As its name says, this tool scans your system memory for any potential problems, and gives you recommended solutions accordingly, which allows you to take further actions.

So, if there’s a problem with your memory, there’s no better tool than Memory Diagnostic Tool. Here’s how to run the Memory Diagnostic Tool in Windows 10:

1. Go to Search, type memory diagnostic, and open Memory Diagnostic Tool.
2. When the window pops up, choose Restart now and check for problems.
3. Follow the further process.
4. Let your computer restart.

Keep us posted,

If you wish to thank me for my efforts, you could click on "Accept as solution" on my post as the solution should help others too.

[Mickael_C]

Hello @Riddle_Decipher,

Thank you for your answer and all your ideas to try to fix our problem.

I have tried all of them and none works for me.

Solution 1 -> My Windows is already up to date. I will continue to check and keep it that way.

Solution 2 -> Done but has no effect.

Solution 3 -> Done. The log file indicates some fixes but none seem to be related to the problem because it is still here.

Solution 4 -> Done. Finished with success but do not fix the problem.

Solution 5 -> These parameters were already disabled

Solution 6 -> No problem detected with my memory

Thank you anyway for your time.

I will wait for the next Windows update to see if they fixed it or maybe I'll go for a restore process.

[Chittakamol]

Hello,

I do all things as you advice but the error.exe still happen link K.Micale_C

have anything can I try or sent me some remote support to check on my computer?

Thank you.

[Riddle_Decipher]

@Mickael_C & @Chittakamol The best way forward, is to create a new user account and check if that works, if not, I suggest you backup all personal data and perform a system reset using the steps mentioned here and let me know how that pans out.