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File Explorer New context menu causes Explorer to freeze and crash

Anonymous
2018-10-31T13:52:58+00:00

After installing the Windows 10 October 2018 Update, the New context menu no longer works. If I right-click an empty area in File Explorer and move to the New menu, Explorer freezes and then crashes. Same thing happens if I click on the New Item icon on the toolbar.

The problem did not exist before I installed the October Update. However, I have another PC with the October Update, and the problem does not occur on that one.

I've determined that it is specific to my account on this one PC. I created and signed in with another account, and the New menu works fine with that one. Short of removing and recreating my entire account, is there another option I can try to fix this glitch?

Thank you.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-10-31T15:38:12+00:00

    I would ttroubleshoot this by disabling the 'New' menu entries (except for perhaps Folder and Shortcut). If the menu then functions & doesn't crash Explorer, you can re-enable the items one-by-one until you find the misbehaving one.

    A 'New' context menu item appears if the associated file extension has a subkey named 'ShellNew' in the Registry. So open regedit.exe, Ctrl+F (search), type 'ShellNew' and make sure you are searching for keys:

    The first one found will most likely be under .bmp. When found, right-click the key, select Rename, and prefix with an 'x' (renaming is sufficient to disable):

    Ctrl+F3 will repeat the search, rename all entries except for .lnk and Folder, restart Explorer or log off & back on for the changes to take effect, then test the behavior.

    Keith

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-01-10T11:25:56+00:00

    Good morning,

    the problem has been created after the update to October Update.

    • I also tried to install the update again.
    • The system is updated to version 17763.253
    • I have disabled all the applications that affect the context menu and the problem is not solved.
    • SFC does not detect errors.
    • The Windows Defender antivirus does not detect viruses or malware.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-10-31T15:55:08+00:00

    Thank you, but no these steps didn't help. I had already run the SFC scan. And the options for System Properties were already set the way the article suggested.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-10-31T13:55:19+00:00

    Hello,

    See if this fix helps you:

    https://www.kapilarya.com/fix-file-explorer-not...

    Let us know if this helps!

    Note: Included link(s) in this reply refers to non-Microsoft website(s). The page(s) appears to be providing accurate, legitimate and safe information. Watch out for ads on the site(s) that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

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  5. Anonymous
    2018-11-01T10:06:10+00:00

    Hi,

    Thanks for the reply.

    • What is the result of the SFC scan?

    You may want to restart the Windows Explorer and check if that helps.

    • Right click the Taskbar, select “Start Task Manager” to launch the tool.
    • Switch to “Process” tab, locate “explorer.exe”, click the “End Process” button and confirm the operation.
    • Once this is done, you need to click “File->New Task” on menu bar, then type “explorer.exe” and press enter to restart Windows Explorer.

    Hope this helps.

    Let us know if you got the help you needed by clicking ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.

    Regards,

    Srimadhwa B

    Microsoft Community-Moderator

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