server execution failure

Question

I cannot open Windows Explorer consistently. When I enter "Windows Key + E, there is a long wait and then the message "server execution failed".  I have included an example:  Occasionally I am able to open the control panel and then go backwards to the directory tree.

Answer 1

Hi,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Community.

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**

Hope this helps. Feel free to contact us again for further assistance.

Answer 2

I cant type in anything and nothing opens. Apps will flash on the screen then disappear. I can see the whole set of windows apps when I click on the windows button and can options when I left click on it - but nothing opens.

Answer 3

Hi,

You just mentioned that Apps will just flash on the screen then, immediately disappear.

What apps are you pertaining to? Are you also having issues with Windows Explorer for Windows 7?

We’ll be waiting for your response.

Regards.