Issues with File Explorer

So, my File Explorer keeps crashing on me constantly, especially when I try to launch some older games that run at lower resolutions than what my desktop is set to.

The games just keep minimizing themselves, kicking me right back to the desktop, then File Explorer restarts, and my DVD drive starts acting up trying to read media. It's such a mess!

I checked out the Action Center—the problem details section—and this is what pops up when I click on the error regarding File Explorer:

Description
Faulting application name: explorer.exe, version: 6.1.7601.17567, time stamp: 0x4d672ee4
Faulting module name: ntdll.dll, version: 6.1.7601.18247, time stamp: 0x521eaf24
Exception code: 0xc0000374
Fault offset: 0x00000000000c4102
Faulting process id: 0xcb4
Faulting application start time: 0x01d09fdaf71d27f1
Faulting application path: C:\Windows\explorer.exe
Faulting module path: C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\ntdll.dll
Report Id: 46960f07-0bce-11e5-b1c8-14dae9d6a97d

Does anyone have any ideas? I would really appreciate any help you can give!

Windows? Which version? Is it legit?

It’s a legitimate version of Windows 7 Home Premium—it actually came pre-installed on the machine when I first picked it up.
The bummer is, I never actually got an installation CD since everything was already set up and ready to go.

Just grab Whocrashed, run it, and dump the report right here...

If you're trying to get those old-school games running, you'll probably need to grab some patches from gamecopyworld.com. Honestly, just toggling compatibility mode on Windows 98 or XP usually does the trick too.

William Richardson12 said:Come on, just download WhoCrashed and paste the report right here!

I just downloaded this program, and honestly? Everything was running smooth as silk at first. No issues whatsoever. But then... things started acting up. Why does that always happen?
Well, it’s happening again. That annoying glitch is back! But get this—my dump file is totally empty. Not a single crash report to be found, yet File Explorer just keeps crashing over and over. Seriously, what gives?

crimsonfalcon38 said:If you're trying to get those old-school games running, you really ought to grab some patches from GameCopyWorld. It makes a huge difference! Also, don't forget to mess around with Compatibility Mode on Windows 98 or XP. Sometimes that's all it takes to get things moving again, right?

I’ve downloaded every single patch available. I even tracked down a brand-new version of the game that comes fully patched right out of the box. I even gave that community mod a shot, too. And honestly? Still nothing. It’s the exact same headache. Why does this always happen?
So, basically, every single time I mess around with my screen resolution, File Explorer just starts crashing on me. Why does that always happen? It’s like it can't handle the change!
Sometimes the player just acts up. You know, like during those intro clips? It’s just totally random stuff happening out of nowhere. Why does that even happen?

So it's a GPU driver issue then. Just track down an older version that doesn't crash...

Keith Lee94 said:So, File Explorer keeps crashing on me constantly, especially when I try to run older games that use lower resolutions than whatever my desktop is set to.

I'd appreciate any help at all!

From what I've seen (and that's just my experience)... this is pretty standard behavior. It's usually some kind of incompatibility issue with the sound card, or maybe the graphics card, who knows.

If you want to actually enjoy those older games (which I love, and I ran into the exact same thing once), I honestly just keep two dedicated PCs for them.

They were built around 2001-2003, and I take good care of them. I only fire them up when I'm in the mood for Commandos, Lula Wet, FIFA 1999, Project IGI, Postal, stuff like that. They run on Win98SE.

Anyway, if you ask me, what's happening to you is normal, and you could probably find a cheap fix on Craigslist if you really wanted to.

William Richardson12 said:It sounds like a GPU driver issue. Try hunting down an older version that doesn't crash on you.

Actually, it just hit me. Why on earth would anyone sell a computer pre-loaded with drivers that crash? It’s not like they built the software themselves, right? This machine was rock solid until just a few months ago. I’ve tried everything—scouring the web for different drivers, installing newer ones, rolling back to older ones... nothing worked. I finally had to struggle my way back to the original factory drivers just to get some peace.
Is it possible that a Windows update messed things up by pushing out some buggy, unstable driver package?

Sure, it’s possible, though I wouldn't bet on it. You should probably check Device Manager to see which driver you're running and what version is actually installed.