Quick overview:
A program, a tool, a virus... There may be many causes for this error, but the result is always the same: when you right-click on an .exe file, the desktop disappears or explorer.exe crashes and is then reloaded. The first steps in solving the problem should definitely be to uninstall applications that are anchored in the context menu.
If this does not work and also this article there is a very effective way to remove all anchors manually:
Win 98 - Fix crash problems
1. Open the Registrationseditor by clicking on Start/Execute click and regedit type in. Confirm with OK opens the tool.
2. Navigate to the key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex and click on Export registration/registration fileto save the entire key. To do this, enter a concise file name, such as Backup - context menu anchor.reg and confirm with Save. You can now perform a restore by double-clicking in the event of problems.
3. Select the subkey ContextMenuHandlers and press Removalto delete it.
Now restart your computer and try right-clicking - now that all external anchors have been removed, the crash will no longer occur.
NOTE FOR NEW PUBLICATION: This article was produced by Sandro Villinger and comes from the Windows Tweaks archive, which has been built up since the late 1990s.
On Windows Tweaks you will find time-saving tech guides for PC, software & Microsoft. For a stress-free digital everyday life. Already we have been "tweaking" Windows since 1998 and just won't stop!
