Windows Exporer crashes

[munkee35]

For a few months i have has an issue with Windows Explorer. Every now and then while browsing through a folder (any folder) the computer would hang and I would have to CTL+ALT+Del and end task to get back any control. This was an inconvenience at best as any open Windows Explorer window would close as well, but now it has got worse.

Now for the past week if Windows Explorer hangs and i end the task i cannot resume from the desktop, as no desktop appears nor does the task bar. The only way to recover is to shut down & restart.

Any ideas of whats going on?

XP Pro, service Pack 1

 

[Dollar]

I had a similar issue using Windows Blinds and some other "themes".
To restart explorer without shutdown/restart:

Press Ctrl+shift+Esc (this will bring up the task manager)
Click the "Applications" tab
Click "New Task..."
Type "explorer" or "explorer.exe" (no quotes)

That should bring back your desktop.

I rebuilt mine in the end...

Hope the above helps.