Explorer.exe restart error

Hi Colonel. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

I notice you have CCleaner. Did you run this just before it started? No expert any longer recommends CCleaner after it was bought by Avast bloatware (which also stopped being recommended 9 years ago) and lost their genius developer. Especially if you ran the dangerous Registry Cleaner, see if you can System Restore to a point before you ran it: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&...

Run Disk Cleanup instead, including System Files after it does it's scan.

1. Right click Start button to open Task Manager, show More Details, then choose Processes tab, scroll down to Windows Processes, then further down almost to the bottom to Windows Explorer. Right click to Restart Explorer, then Restart PC.
2. Try these fixes for when File Explorer isn't working properly:

https://allthings.how/13-ways-to-fix-file-explo...

https://www.easytutorial.com/fix-file-explorer-...

https://www.itechguides.com/how-to-repair-file-...

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

https://windowsreport.com/fix-file-explorer-pro... (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro and Reimage ads)

3. Go over Windows using this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files, and also Step 16 to test a new Local Admin account. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

4. If nothing else works then do a Repair Install, by installing Media Creation Tool, open tool and choose to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows while keeping files, programs and most settings in place, is the most stable method to advance to the latest version, and solves most problems. Tutorial here: https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/fix-windows...

If you want to save time since you need to upgrade to Version 21H2 anyway you can start with the Repair Install.

Keep me posted on your progress as I will be here to help until the case is resolved.

______________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Now the screen popped up without me even changing anything, but now it's doing the restarting explorer.exe thing again, moreover making the screen black every second.

Oh, by the way, thanks so much for caring to help me, it means a lot! :-)

If any steps cannot be performed normally then try them in 1) Safe Mode with Networking (so you have internet) or 2) Safe Mode, accessed by one of the illustrated steps in this guide: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf.... You will need to use your password to get into Safe Mode as a PIN is not accepted.

If this is not enough I will help you do repairs from the Repair Mode or bootable media:

Use whichever method works in this link to get into Repair Mode so you can do the necessary repairs or do a Reset:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

Easiest is to force shutdown by holding in the power button. Do this twice. The third time you power on it should start into Repair Mode. Once in the Repair Mode try the numbered steps below.

It may be necessary to create bootable media on another PC to access Advanced Startup Options to try repairs, a Reset or do the Clean install. The bootable media has it's own set of files so that repairs or Reset might work better, doesn't require a password, and you'll have it to if necessary do the vastly superior Clean Install.

To create Windows 10 Installation Media on another PC install Media Creation Tool and follow the directions here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/software-downlo...

Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key given here: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

If the media won't boot you may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup (pressing key given in chart in link above) to turn off Fast Boot or Fast Startup first.

Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on second screen choose Repair Your Computer, then Advanced Troubleshoot Options, then:

1. Try a System Restore, working backward
2. If that fails try Uninstall Updates as far back as necessary to see if this was caused by an Update,
3. Open the Command Prompt to:

a) run System File Checker: https://www.wintips.org/how-to-run-sfc-offline-...

and DISM: https://www.ubackup.com/windows-10/dism-offline...

b) run a full Disk Check: https://www.windowsdigitals.com/how-to-run-chkd...

c) trigger Safe Mode with Networking (for internet) or Safe Mode following https://www.intowindows.com/boot-windows-10-in-... to roll back Updates & Drivers in Windows Update History, update your drivers from the PC/Motherboard manufacturer's website and run all File Explorer repairs I gave in first post.

d) From the Command Prompt try to create a new Local Admin Account to replace your account: https://www.isumsoft.com/windows-10/3-ways-to-c..., sign in to test it, move files over, when ready delete the old account and if desired change the new one to your MS Account.

4. If those fail then go back to Troubleshoot Options to do a Reset.
5. If that fails choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof. Everything needed to Clean Install is here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...
6. If you have files that aren't backed up you can use the same bootable media to try to rescue your files using these methods: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Your files should be backed up at all times if you value them at all. In the Clean Install tutorial in Step 5 I give the best methods to back up.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

CCleaner got bought by Avast?! I never knew! Well, then I will delete it on my main computer haha!
No the software was not installed on the old computer I was just on the website (was in process of installing it but decided to not do so.)

I have already tried the media tool, but did not choose to update now.

I just started the computer to try the methods you showed me, but this time the screen is black?
I used a shortcut to open task manager thus running cmd.exe as admin trough there but after restarting/termintaing and starting explorer.exe again it had no effect.

Here is the winver version.