Windows 7 Explorer not responding

Hello whyemmbee,

You can try the below methods to fix this issue.

Method 1:

Check if you have the same issue in ‘Safe Mode’.

You can refer the below link that will give you information on ‘How to boot the computer to safe mode’:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Start-your-computer-in-safe-mode

Method 2:

You can also run a Windows Onecare online scan to ensure that there is no spyware or malware infection on your computer. Here is a link that you can follow:

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-my/default.htm?mkt=en-my

Method 3:

Run system file checker tool to check if the file system on your computer is intact.

Running the System File Checker…

a.        Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as Administrator.

b.        Click Continue or supply Administrator credentials if prompted.

c.        In the Command Prompt window type the following, and press Enter:

sfc /scannow

d.        You should see the following on-screen messages:

Beginning the system scan. This process will take some time.

Beginning verification phase of system scan.

Verification % complete.

e.        Once the scan has completed you will receive an onscreen message resembling one of the following:

…found no integrity violations

…found corruption but repaired it

…found corruption that it could not repair.

You can check out this article that will give you information on 'How to analyze the log file entries that the Microsoft Windows Resource Checker (SFC.exe) program generates in Windows Vista'.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228   

Alternatively, you can post back the error if you have difficulties in analyzing the error.

Method 4:

Verify if the value for the shell is explorer.exe

a.     Bring up Task Manager by pressing Ctr+Shift+Esc on the keyboard.

b.     Click on Processes tab.

c.      Go to explorer.exe, highlight it & End Task

Your desktop will disappear.

a.     Then under Processes tab click on File then New Task (Run).

b.     In the Open box, type in explorer.exe and click OK.

c.      Your desktop will be back.

Go to the registry editor:

a.       Press Ctr+Shift+Esc and then click File -> New Task and when prompted type in regedit.exe.

b.     Locate the registry HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> Software -> Microsoft -> Windows NT -> Current Version -> just click on winlogon once, do not expand it.

c.      Locate Shell on the right hand side. Right click on Shell and check if its value is set to explorer.exe if not change the value to explorer.exe.

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 annd restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 322756 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756 ) How to back up and restore the registry in Windows.

Thanks,
Irfan H, Microsoft Answers Support Engineer. Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.