Tip #2683 - Explorer.exe Error
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Q:
I just upgraded to Windows XP and I keep getting an explorer.exe error.
How can I stop it?
A:
This is a common error to receive if you, like you said, have just upgraded
from an older Windows operating system. This message usually only appears
when you first log in to the new version, but it could stick around if
you don't fix it right away. The error probably says something like "Explorer.exe
has generated errors and will be closed by Windows." If that sounds
familiar, keep reading!
This error can be
caused by a number of things, but it's been found that it's mostly caused
by a Norton CleanSweep program that may have been installed on your computer
in the previous operating system. There are a few methods you can use
to resolve this issue and they are explained below.
Method One
After you receive
the error message, immediately press Ctrl + Alt + Del
to open the Task Manager. Once in there, click on the New Task
button, type "control" in the box and press
Enter on your keyboard. This will then open the Control
Panel. Click on the Add/Remove Programs link
and a list of all your currently installed programs will appear. Find
the one that says CleanSweep and then click on the Change/Remove
button. Then just remove the CleanSweep program and restart your computer.
You shouldn't have any other problems with the explorer.exe error again
after doing this.
Method Two
When you see the error
message, restart your computer and when you see the boot menu, press F8
on your keyboard. This will bring up the options to start your computer
in safe mode. Next, choose the Safe Mode Command Prompt
option. Log in to your computer and then type "appwiz.cpl"
in the available box and press Enter on your keyboard.
This will then open the Add/Remove Programs Wizard. You
will see a list of the programs you have already installed on your computer.
Click on CleanSweep and then on the Change/Remove button.
Remove CleanSweep from your computer and then restart.
Method Three
Once the error message
comes up on your screen, restart your computer and when you see the boot
menu, press F8 on your keyboard to go into safe mode.
Select the Safe Mode Command Prompt option. Next, find
the %SystemRoot%\System32 folder. This is also typically
called the C:\WINNT\System32 folder. Open that folder
and find the file that is titled Apitrap.dll. Right click
on that file and choose Rename. Then type in Apitrap.old
as its new name. Then just restart your computer.
Choose whatever method
is best for you to solve the explorer.exe problem. The first method is
probably the easiest, so you may want to try that one before you do anything
else. Once you're done, you'll be error free (well, at least with this
one!) : )
~ Erin
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