Explorer keeps crashing...

Question

I will try to explain how this is occurring... strange as it is.

AMD FX8350 built system, on an MSI Gaming 790 platform.  16GB, Windows 10 1803, version 17134.137.

Some time, after I would guess.. the third Windows update from the original upgrade from 1706 to 1803, is when this started happening.  Explorer will just crash.

Crashes when moving files, copying files, opening files, right click menu use on files.. etc.  First sign, is the mouse will become seriously laggy.  This lasts about 1 min, before I will get a small white window with an Explorer crash exception.

Faulting application name: Explorer.EXE, version: 10.0.17134.1, time stamp: 0x425b30b2

Faulting module name: unknown, version: 0.0.0.0, time stamp: 0x00000000

Exception code: 0xc0000005

Fault offset: 0x0000000000000000

Faulting process id: 0x1b0

Faulting application start time: 0x01d40c06853c4f47

Faulting application path: C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE

Faulting module path: unknown

Report Id: cf4612ad-e37d-46fc-a5d8-c7faa49248f9

Faulting package full name:

Faulting package-relative application ID:

It causes the background to go translucent white.. and the mouse to hourglass.  If it does recover, it takes about five minutes to do so. 

Browser take down:

If I have Chrome open during the crash... it will lock up Chrome with (not responding) and cause the browser window to go completely blank, with blacked out window frame.  I stopped using Chrome temporarily, and during a crash with Firefox.. well, Firefox just kept on running.  The crash didn't affect that browser. 

Description

Faulting application name: chrome.exe, version: 67.0.3396.87, time stamp: 0x5b1f54ed

Faulting module name: KERNELBASE.dll, version: 10.0.17134.112, time stamp: 0xf2b2cb6c

Exception code: 0xe0000008

Fault offset: 0x000000000003a388

Faulting process id: 0x12670

Faulting application start time: 0x01d40c0318d91ecc

Faulting application path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe

Faulting module path: C:\WINDOWS\System32\KERNELBASE.dll

Report Id: 6bb31c6f-a444-4174-8fd3-76992b2b7850

Faulting package full name:

Faulting package-relative application ID:

Other issues associated with it:  (taken from Reliability Monitor)

An unknown Kernel error:

Problem signature

Problem Event Name:    LiveKernelEvent

Code:    141

Parameter 1:    ffff89088b5ff010

Parameter 2:    fffff80d4c22ec88

Parameter 3:    0

Parameter 4:    1ae4

OS version:    10_0_17134

Service Pack:    0_0

Product:    256_1

OS Version:    10.0.17134.2.0.0.256.48

Locale ID:    1033

Now... I am aware of Chrome's issues with Windows 10, 1803... and even turning off the Hardware Acceleration, hasn't affected the Explorer issue, as I work a ton with files.. so regardless of being on the net, it crashes.

I have ran diagnostics.. nothing.  Troubleshooting.. nothing.  Reset the OS.. nothing.

Ran the following thru CMD:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

as well as   SFC /scannow

Nothing to report.  All files in the system checked out. 

Malwarebytes runs every night.. no issues, nothing quarantined.

My last version of Windows 10's iso.. is 17134.1.. so I may need to update that, if I need to reinstall the OS... I cannot go fresh, I have way too many programs I use installed... and appreciate being able to just restart the OS.

Answer 1

Hi Morpheous. I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 8 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

Right click Start button to open Task Manager, show More Details, then choose Processes tab, scroll down to Windows Processes, then further down to Windows Explorer. Right click to Restart, click OK. Restart PC.

If you're running Malwarebytes Real Time (unnecessary unless you get repeatedly infected) I would disable it to troubleshoot. Run only Defender which gives best Windows performance, least issues and is from Microsoft who knows how to protect their OS best.

Go over 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. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

Update your drivers from the PC maker's Support Downloads web page, using the full model number, Serial Number or Dell Service Tag on sticker. Compare the latest drivers available for download with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu. Make sure you have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

If nothing else helps you can also roll back the Version 1803 Update at Settings > Update & Security > Recovery, or from Repair Mode accessed by one of these methods: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

---

But remember that in Windows 10 everything depends upon the quality of the install, and Factory or Upgrade installs are inferior installs which most enthusiasts won't even run because they'd expect endless issues. Consider now or later doing the Clean Install in this link which compiles the best possible install that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

There is also an automated Refresh that reinstalls WIndows while shedding corrupting factory bloatware, saves your files, but doesn't clear the drive to get it cleanest: https://www.howtogeek.com/265054/how-to-easily-...

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.

Answer 2

disable your antivirus, update your IDE drivers (hard disk, optical drive) or SSD firmware.

Open Start, type: file explorer options

Hit Enter

Under the General tab, click in the Open File Explorer to then choose "This PC".

Try WinKey + E now. If it opens fine, then the problem is with Quick access cache, which can be cleared by deleting *.automaticDestinations-ms from the following directory, using Command Prompt.

%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations

Press Windows key + R

Type: %AppData%

Hit Enter

Then navigate to that folder.

Could be an issue with your display driver.

uninstall your display driver then restart

Boot to the Windows 10 desktop

Press Windows key + X

Click Device Manager

Expand Display adapters

Right click the current display adapter

Click Uninstall

Exit Device Manager

Restart

Answer 3

I have that listed for the final option, Andre.

And... forgive me all for that typo earlier.. I meant to say 1607, not 1507!

Answer 4

If you can, try performing a repair upgrade:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/wiki...

Answer 5

Greg / Andre -

Thanks for replying!!

This post, I was able to include the actual screen from the error.

Have done the following to assist in correcting the issue.

All drivers are up to date:

Nvidia - 398.36  (every update to the newest driver, I always use DDU, which completely cleans the system before newer drivers - I install drivers manually - only video/ PhysX drivers, no experience or 3D as video card doesn't support it - no Nvidia audio drivers)

Sound Blaster Z - latest from 2017, no further updates

Gaming 970 - No further motherboard drivers since original with exception to the Killer Ethernet

Latest BIOS installed - No further updates since purchase

Startup files/programs - minimal

Virtual clone drive

CCleaner - tray icon

IDM

USBmonitor

O&O defrag - tray icon

SoundBlaster Control Panel

(all services for programs set to Manual so they do not run until needed)

With the exception of IDM and CCleaner, no startup programs have had updates since well before installing the 1803 update.  Have ran since 1507.

Increased System Pagefile to 8GB from 4GB.  Pagefile is manually set, and runs on a second hard drive.

Non MS Services running at startup:

Nvidia Display

Steam Client

Corel Licensing (if this doesn't run, cannot use Corel Paintshop)

O&O Defrag - set to manual

MalwareBytes

Creative Audio

SoundBlaster Audio

Greg - Yes... Defender is moving up in the world, better than it was originally.. but I prefer to use Malwarebytes as you suggested in your own article, Step 7.

Andre - I changed the explorer options to This PC.. (thanks, I forgot about that, and opening to Quick Access by default is annoying).  All SATA drives have no further firmware or driver updates.  (no IDE drives present, no SSDs.. unfortunately)

Greg - please keep in mind, I am trying to find what this "unknown kernel error" is.. may be hardware related?  Since 1984.. MS shouldn't have any error codes that start off with "unknown".  Drivers must be WHQL certified for me to use them, so that error code has to be related to something we can put a finger on...or at least in a category, set aside by the developers to say "yeah, that would be related to such and such".

If not.. not even a fresh install (will be avoided at all costs due to 50+ programs installed) will cure it, because the hardware and driver versions won't change.  I use ISOs to install upgrades, as I have options with them I do not have with Windows Update..choosing "new install, keep files" vs. "wipe the drive, install Windows".

Again.. much information to go thru, and continue to check off, seeing as I've done at least four/ five of the steps.  If it's a memory read error, and after adjusting the pagefile, I will run a complete RAM and HDD test.

Your friend, 

Troy