Program run as admin under standard user, when clicking web link in application opens MS Edge under admin profile and then causes Windows Explorer to crash.

Question

Using Windows 10 Professional

Edition Windows 10 Pro

Version 22H2

Installed on ‎12/‎20/‎2022

OS build 19045.2364

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.4190.0

I have several applications, HWIN64 (hardware monitoring) and Logitech My Harmony, which default to running as an administrator (UAC prompt asking for admin password). I also verified on Task Manager in the Details pane, and they are definitely running as User = Administrator.

The problem occurs when there are any type of web links that are clicked in the application. Such as support pages, applications update links, etc. My default browser is set to MS Edge. So what occurs is that the Edge browser opens, but it says Profile1 in the profile area (top right hand corner of the browser toolbar). Profile1 is the default profile when opening the browser in the administrator account. Then within milliseconds of opening the browser Windows Explorer (explorer.exe) crashes, and then goes into a looping crash-open-crash cycle, until I close the browser. Closing the browser stops the looping crash.

At first I thought this was application specific (HWIN64), but it is not; because it also occurred while using another app (Logitech My Harmony).

So it seems that if the browser opens up in applications running under admin account, the browser opens up running under admin profile as well, and when that happens, Windows Explorer does not like that.

I am going to try and set the default browser to Firefox in admin and see what happens.

Just to preface, please don't suggest reinstalling Windows, because this is a brand new install.

Thank you in advance for any help.

Answer 1

Glad your issue was resolved. If you have any other questions related to Microsoft products, you can post your question in the corresponding section of this forum, and we will try our best to help you.

We value your feedback, click Yes or No to help others with the same problem and help us improve the support experience.

Have a good day!

Best Regards,

Mosken_L - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

It's a personal computer.

The edge browser Version 108.0.1462.54 (Official build) (64-bit)

When making Firefox the default browser in the admin account (and leaving Edge as default under the standard account), then logging back into standard account:

1. When HWIN64 makes a browser request to open a support request, it still opens Edge (maybe an IE request that is replaced with Edge?), resulting in an explorer crash. (this is so strange, because Logging into the admin account and opening the support page of HWIN64 causes it to open in Firefox appropriately)
2. Logitech My Harmony app behaves correctly and opens Firefox, and no crashes occurring.

Trying to run Edge as an administrator under the standard account, results in it not opening at all. I don't even see it running for a second in task manager. It's like it won't execute at all, when trying to open it as administrator.

I'll try the clean boot process next.

I don't see a way to attach log files here.

So I'll copy paste this from Event Viewer:

Faulting application name: explorer.exe, version: 10.0.19041.2364, time stamp: 0x196eefcd

Faulting module name: KERNELBASE.dll, version: 10.0.19041.2364, time stamp: 0x5b7d4d22

Exception code: 0xe06d7363

Fault offset: 0x000000000002cd29

Faulting process id: 0xd6b4

Faulting application start time: 0x01d9247bfc9505f4

Faulting application path: C:\Windows\explorer.exe

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

Report Id: f91ec1a2-b0ee-4e12-b0aa-c60324004f7d

Faulting package full name: 

Faulting package-relative application ID: 

Fault bucket , type 0

Event Name: APPCRASH

Response: Not available

Cab Id: 0

Problem signature:

P1: explorer.exe

P2: 10.0.19041.2364

P3: 196eefcd

P4: KERNELBASE.dll

P5: 10.0.19041.2364

P6: 5b7d4d22

P7: e06d7363

P8: 000000000002cd29

P9: 

P10: 

Attached files:

\?\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER64C5.tmp.mdmp

\?\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER66D9.tmp.WERInternalMetadata.xml

\?\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER66EA.tmp.xml

\?\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER66E8.tmp.csv

\?\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER6727.tmp.txt

\?\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportQueue\AppCrash_explorer.exe_d17587cc05af782afa123ee299390ed8b36eadb_c7484a8a_cab_7d2304c4-1c41-4161-af56-27a0f3b54f3c\memory.hdmp

These files may be available here:

\?\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportQueue\AppCrash_explorer.exe_d17587cc05af782afa123ee299390ed8b36eadb_c7484a8a_cab_7d2304c4-1c41-4161-af56-27a0f3b54f3c

Analysis symbol: 

Rechecking for solution: 0

Report Id: f91ec1a2-b0ee-4e12-b0aa-c60324004f7d

Report Status: 4

Hashed bucket: 

Cab Guid: 0

Answer 3

Hello Squash,

I haven't received your message yet. If there's anything else I can do for you or something's unclear, don't hesitate to let me know.

Best Regards,

Mosken_L - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 4

Hello Squash,

Good to see you in Microsoft Community.

What were the test results in Firefox? Was there a similar situation?

Firstly, could you let me know the specific version info of the Microsoft Edge browser? Please check it and only send the relevant information without PII in the next reply. Type "edge://settings/help" in the Edge address bar and press Enter*.*

Is this your personal computer or it belongs to a company/organization?

• If it is the latter, you may contact its IT department to help you solve it, as each unit has its own unique security policy to secure the domain environment, we cannot provide further technical support for this.
• If it is your personal computer, follow the steps below.

Have you tried logging into Windows with your administrator account and repeating above to see if something similar? Because there may be a permission conflict/disorder causing your current trouble.

Or you can log in to Windows with the current Standard user, right-click on Microsoft Edge browser > Run as administrator and see if a crash occurs. Or you can create a new user profile in the Microsoft Edge browser and repeat the scenario.

Then check Event Viewer to see if there are any error messages at the same time that the apps crashed? If yes, take a screenshot/photo of it, and only send the relevant information without PII in the next reply. Win + Q to open the search box, type 'eventvwr', press Enter to open Event Viewer*, and see whether there are any errors in* Application in Windows Logs*.*

And you may Perform a clean boot **** to repeat the above steps and check if there is similar situation, this is a troubleshooting step. In this mode, we can further confirm whether it is caused by system problems or third-party software or personalized settings. So please be patient.

Disclaimer*: A “clean boot” starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It helps to determine whether a background program is interfering with your game or program and to isolate the cause of a problem.*

These steps of "clean boot" might look complicated at first glance. However, to avoid any trouble for you, please follow them in order and step-by-step so that it will help you get you back on track.

If anything is unclear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Best Regards,

Mosken_L - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist