Windows file explorer crashes when selecting video files

December 27, 2007

Problem: Windows’ explorer crashes when opening or selecting a video file, or even just opening a folder containing video files.
Solution: Start > run > regsvr32 /u shmedia.dll
Then restart explorer.exe
Simplest way: Log out/log in or reboot computer.
More complicated way: Press ctrl+alt+delete or ctrl+shift+escape to bring up the task manager. Kill the explorer.exe process. Click File > New Process (Run) and enter explorer

10 Responses to “Windows file explorer crashes when selecting video files”

  1. Modboy Says:

    Hay thx that solved my problem ;-)

  2. ben Says:

    Great. Sorted it for me. Many thanks

  3. Raghu Says:

    Thnx. That helped me fix the issue

  4. Sarah Says:

    Wow thank you SO much!!

  5. Leah Says:

    Thanks! This fixed my problem :)

  6. cavjita Says:

    thanks, sorted it out 1time!!! any idea why this happens?

  7. ChadnraSekar Says:

    Thanks. Problem Solved for me dude

  8. Ashar Hameed Says:

    Great info, solved my problem as well. My explorer kept crashing whenever I selected a PS3 compatible video file (MKV converted to HD MPEG) and this little trick did it for me. Thanks a lot :)

  9. Steve Says:

    Thanks, did the job for me too.

  10. Corey Says:

    For some reason, only certain .avi files were crashing windows explorer when selected. The information above fixed the problem. Would have liked to know why it was happeneing, but thanks anyway!


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