How to fix black pop-up screen C:\Windows\System32\cmd.e on my HP Laptop.

Question

A black pop-up screen appears periodically that says; C:\Windows\System32\cmd.e I found some instructions online: Run dialog box, msconfig, services, hide all Microsoft services, startup, open task manager, startup, disable. Close task manager, System Configuration, Ok and restart your computer.

msconfig again, General tab, normal startup, services, hide all Microsoft services, enable all. after re-re-enabling items in task manager under the startup tab, Ok and restart computer.

Didn't work, still get the same popup.

Answer 1

To address the issue of a black pop-up screen displaying C:\Windows\System32\cmd.e, you might want to consider the following steps:

1. Reset the Graphics Driver: Sometimes, graphical issues can cause unexpected pop-ups. You can reset the graphics driver by pressing the Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + B.
2. Check the Shell Configuration: Ensure that the Shell value in the registry is set correctly. To do this:
   • Press the Windows logo key + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
   • Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon.
   • Check the Shell value data in the right pane; it should be set to explorer.exe. If it's not, back up the registry and change it to explorer.exe.
3. Perform a Clean Boot: If the issue persists, performing a clean boot can help identify if a startup application or service is causing the problem. You can do this by:
   • Pressing Windows + R, typing msconfig, and pressing Enter.
   • On the General tab, select Selective startup and uncheck Load startup items.
   • On the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.
   • Click OK and restart your computer. If the issue does not occur, you can re-enable services and startup items one by one to identify the culprit.
4. Check for Malware: Sometimes, malware can cause unexpected command prompts to appear. Running a full system scan with your antivirus software can help identify and remove any malicious software.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider seeking further assistance from Microsoft support or a professional technician.

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References:

• Scenario guide: Black screen after you sign in to the system
• How to use the System Configuration utility to troubleshoot configuration errors

Answer 2

Click the link below to download a small free utility that does not require installation.

https://download.sysinternals.com/files/Autoruns.zip

When the file downloads, unzip it.

Run Autoruns64 as Administrator

1

Select the 'Logon' tab at the top of Autoruns.

Please provide a screenshot of all entries on that tab.

2

Select the 'Scheduled Tasks' tab at the top of Autoruns.

Please provide a screenshot of all entries on that tab.