Explorer.EXE Server execution failed

Question

I can run iexplorer.exe from the Taskbar but Windows explorer.exe will not run any programs.  So I can't open any folders or run anything.  What to do?

When it fails the dialog box says,

Explorer.EXE    Server execution failed

Answer 1

Hi godembryo,

For the "Explorer.exe Server execution failed" issue, it is mostly caused by the incorrect registry setting. If you are not familiar with the registry, I recommend you to enable the Build-in account to test your issue. You can run the following steps to enable it.

1. Click Start, and then type cmd in the “Start Search” box .
2. In the search results list, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as Administrator.
3. When you are prompted by User Account Control, click Continue.
4. At the command prompt, type net user administrator/active:yes, and then press ENTER. 
5. Type exit, and then press ENTER.
6. Log off the current user account.

If the issue does not persist in the new user account then you may copy the files from the existing profile by following the steps mentioned in this link:

Fix a corrupted user profile**http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Fix-a-corrupted-user-profile**

Also refer the following link and follow the suggestions given by John Cena.

**http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itproui/thread/8e408785-e9d0-4b8e-bb4d-3628cabecf74**

Important: This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

KB322756 **http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756**

Regards,

Divya R – Microsoft Support.

Answer 2

I keep the My Documents folder on an external drive.  When I reattached it, the error went away.

If you've recently changed hardware, settings, or unplugged a drive, it may help to temporarily undo that change until you configure your system to live without it.

Answer 3

I'm having an issue as well I updated my pc last night saw there were three opitonals and one important so I down loaded them all then went to bed woke up like a few hours later to see that during the restart my pc was going itno sleep mode some how so I woke it up before it went quite then it took like an hour more to do the updates once they were installed and confugured windows logged in and I couldn't open the action center my media player wouldn't load any of my videos kept saying execution failed and personalize wouldn't load ether just gave me the same server failed execrtion error but everything else works fine like my games, browsers, my other media players winamp and VLC work for to any ideas on what messed up and how to fix it?

Answer 4

I have a similar issue, unable to launch documents, music, games, computer, control panel, devices and printers, or default programs from the start menu.  Each attempt merely generates the  "explore.exe"  error dialogue "server execution failed"

I have tried the suggested fix to create a new user account, the so called "Build-in" account, but it simply does not work. After entering the commands as detailed, and logging off, I am presented with my logon page. There are no other user accounts to log on to.

Following other threads, I have attempted to reassign drive letters, as my data files are all located on a removable hard drive. The problem persists.

I cannot understand what the instructions relating to editing the registry are actually telling me to alter what and to - please provide additional assistance, thanks!

Answer 5

Hello,

Because this thread was started by another person and because of the threads age, I suggest you follow the link below to start your own thread.

Asking your own question helps the community help you specifically with your issue. Remember to include all the details (your version of windows, specs of your system, any error codes etc...) that you can when you start your own thread.

New Thread Link Here