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    Missing Shortcut: Windows is Searching for Explorer.exe

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by darklich, Jan 26, 2012.

  1. darklich

    darklich Notebook Consultant

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    Every time I start my Windows 7 64 Sony AW, I get an error box that says 'Missing Shortcut". In the text it says, "Windows is searching for Explorer.exe". After a minute or so, the error message changes and asks if I want to fix the error. I click "Fix it" and it goes away. Problem is that it does this every single time I reboot. I sure would like to see this go away permanently.

    Any help is appreciated.
     
    darklich, Jan 26, 2012
    #1
  2. deeastman

    deeastman Notebook Deity

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    This may solve your problem. It wont hurt to check. If the data in the Shell file below points to a shortcut it may be your problem. Windows is trying to run a shortcut from some program or registry entry that doesn't exist when starting, which is probably obvious.

    Note: When entering data below don't enter the "Quotes"

    1.Go to Start, Run and type "regedit" click on "ok"
    2.Migrate to the registry location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \ Current Version \ Winlogon
    3.On the right side there is a list of files
    4.Double click the "Shell" file
    5.Change the text in the text box "Value data:" to "explorer.exe"
    6.Restart your computer, hopefully windows will run as normal.
     
    deeastman, Jan 27, 2012
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  3. darklich

    darklich Notebook Consultant

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    Value data already reads "explorer.exe". Hmmm. Any other advice? Thx!
     
    darklich, Jan 28, 2012
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  4. Feral1

    Feral1 Notebook Consultant

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    To paraphrase info found on another site. Try opening Msconfig and look under "Boot" You can enable a boot log and also "OS Boot information" which gives you a visual on the booting process. Afterwards, the boot log will be found in \Windows\ntbtlog.txt After you have done this don't forget to go back and turn off boot log.

    I would try that and see if you can figure what is calling the explorer.exe.

    Another suggestion is CCleaner that will remove orphaned registery items which could be doing it to you. Besides running CCleaner once and awhile will keep your machine tuned up and the good news is it is free.
     
    Feral1, Jan 28, 2012
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  5. JOSEA

    JOSEA NONE

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    Are you certain that you do not have malware? If you boot into Safe mode do you have the same issue?
     
    JOSEA, Jan 28, 2012
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  6. darklich

    darklich Notebook Consultant

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    It boots in safe mode as normal without the error message. I ran a full scan of Kaspersky and Microsoft Malicious Software and no issues popped up. I wished I knew how to fix this. It happens every time I start it up.

    Any other suggestions?
     
    darklich, Feb 2, 2012
    #6
  7. MrDJ

    MrDJ Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    do you use internet explorer or firefox or something else.
    i have firefox as my default brouser but on occasions when i click on certain links from websites it tries to open internet explorer which i havnt got loaded and im sure ive seen that error explorer.exe message.
     
    MrDJ, Feb 2, 2012
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  8. gerryf19

    gerryf19 I am the walrus

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    start,
    type

    msconfig

    in the search program and files box at the bottom of your start menu. Hit the enter key

    Go to the startup tab.

    Choose the DISABLE ALL button. Reboot. Does the error come back? If no, repeat above, but check each button one at a time and reboot until it does. When the error returns, that is the entry you need to leave unchecked and you can recheck everything else.

    You likely had a malware infection that one of your anti malware programs killed, but neglected to remove its startup entry
     
    gerryf19, Feb 2, 2012
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  9. JOSEA

    JOSEA NONE

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    ^^^^^^^ Gerryf19 gives good advice, if this does not fix it, create a new user account and login with it.
     
    JOSEA, Feb 2, 2012
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  10. darklich

    darklich Notebook Consultant

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    Followed gerryf19's tip. The error was caused by the Bluetooth Software. I updated it and now it's all good again.

    Thanks everyone for the interest and help.
     
    darklich, Feb 4, 2012
    #10