Task Manager integrated into explorer.exe?

Vash Aurion · Sep 15, 2008

So sometimes on my XP machines, explorer.exe will stop working, in which case I bring up the task manager, kill the process, and then run the process again, and then it's fixed. In Vista, however, if explorer.exe dies (can't use start bar), it seems as if nothing can be done. You bring up the task manager, and the window just sits there. When I try to click on anything in the process list, I can't. Does anyone know a work-around? This would be a massive design flaw if there is nothing that can be done.

Brink · Sep 15, 2008

Hello Vash,

Here are two options that you can use to open Task Manager in a situation like that:

Press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC
Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE, then click on Start Task Manager

Hope this helps,
Shawn

mattinahat · Sep 16, 2008

Sounds like somebaody needs a clean install of their OS.

I have Vista Ultimate x32 and when explorer.exe crashes i can use the task manager perfectly to restart it. Must just be something with your config or you are just unlucky.

Not inferring anything but is your vista legit or torrent?

Cause if its a torrent then a whole can of worms is opened. So many things get done wrong when people rip cds and dvds. Most common is they corrupt some bit of it and that might be what has happened if you DL'ed it.

Vash Aurion · Sep 16, 2008

It's a legit OEM copy. And Brink, I know how to bring up the task manager. That's easy. The problem is that when the explorer process is down, I cannot actually use the task manager. The window appears, but I cannot interact with anything in it.

Dwarf · Sep 16, 2008

Hi Vash,

Do you mean to say that you cannot change tabs with your mouse or the tab key and cursor keys on your keyboard? Ensure that you are in the 'Applications' tab (this is the default tab). If you are able to use your mouse, click on 'New Task...'. If not, use the 'Tab' key on your keyboard until this button is highlighted. Click it or press enter/return. In the dialogue box that appears, type 'explorer'. Click 'OK' or press enter/return. Explorer should now restart.

Vash Aurion · Sep 16, 2008

Dwarf said:
Hi Vash,

Do you mean to say that you cannot change tabs with your mouse or the tab key and cursor keys on your keyboard? Ensure that you are in the 'Applications' tab (this is the default tab). If you are able to use your mouse, click on 'New Task...'. If not, use the 'Tab' key on your keyboard until this button is highlighted. Click it or press enter/return. In the dialogue box that appears, type 'explorer'. Click 'OK' or press enter/return. Explorer should now restart.

Yeah, I can't change tabs. My default is the process window, which I can never interact with when this happens. Thanks for the advice. I'll try it next time it happens.

Dwarf · Sep 16, 2008

Hi Vash,

To manually check whether my previous answer works, bring up the task manager and select the 'Processes' tab. Click on 'Image Name' to arrange the processes into alphabetical order. Scroll down and click on 'explorer' and then click 'End Process'. Confirm that you want to end this process by clicking 'End process' (the task bar should disappear) and then close the task manager. Follow the instructions in my previous post to restart explorer. I have tried this several times, and it has always worked, though why your default tab is different is puzzling. Have you actually got an 'Applications' tab on your task manager?

Brink · Sep 16, 2008

Vash Aurion said:
It's a legit OEM copy. And Brink, I know how to bring up the task manager. That's easy. The problem is that when the explorer process is down, I cannot actually use the task manager. The window appears, but I cannot interact with anything in it.

Vash Aurion said:
Yeah, I can't change tabs. My default is the process window, which I can never interact with when this happens. Thanks for the advice. I'll try it next time it happens.

Vash,

Do you still have the tabs in Task Manager to select from? If not, then you might be in Small Footprint mode. See if your Task Manager looks like this in this tutorial.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/114377-task-manager-small-footprint-mode.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

mattinahat · Sep 17, 2008

Once more a clean install would most likely solve all of your problems... :D

Everlong · Sep 17, 2008

You can do a tweak with Vista with Vista Manager where it runs explorer.exe and the shell as two seperate processes, so when one crashes, you can still use the other, which might fix your problem.

It's something along the lines of this, I can't check atm as I'm not at home.

Vash Aurion · Sep 17, 2008

Dwarf's advice didn't work. I'ma try that Vista Manager trick since that sounds like a remedy for the problem I'm having.

Everlong · Sep 17, 2008

There's a 15 day trial you can get, which does everything...Removed By Dmex
When you get it, you'll find the tweak in Customise System>Desktop>Create Seperate Processes for Desktop and Explorer.

dmex · Sep 17, 2008

Everlong18 said:
There's a 15 day trial you can get, which does everything...Removed By Dmex
When you get it, you'll find the tweak in Customise System>Desktop>Create Seperate Processes for Desktop and Explorer.

Everlong,

No warez or Illegal discussion :eek:

Steven

Dwarf · Sep 18, 2008

Hi Vash,

Does this happen at random, or does it occur when you are running a certain program or combination of programs? Does your mouse still work? Is it USB or PS/2? Whatever is causing your problem could also be affecting the driver(s) for your keyboard and/or mouse. If you are using a USB keyboard and mouse, and you have the necessary adapters to convert them to PS/2 (assuming, of course, that you have PS/2 sockets available), try using the alternative interface (if you have an alternative keyboard and mouse try those as well).
Have a look at the following Tutorial http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/84215-folder-options.html at 'Step Two'. Referring to the 3rd image in this section, check that the option 'Launch folder windows in a separate process' is checked (ticked).

Everlong · Sep 18, 2008

dmex said:
Everlong18 said:

There's a 15 day trial you can get, which does everything...Removed By Dmex
When you get it, you'll find the tweak in Customise System>Desktop>Create Seperate Processes for Desktop and Explorer.

Click to expand...

Everlong,

No warez or Illegal discussion :eek:

Steven

Sorry, I'll keep it in mind

Task Manager integrated into explorer.exe?

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