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 this article does not help, there is a very effective way to remove all anchors manually:
1. Open the registry editor by clicking Start/Run and typing regedit. Confirming with OK opens the tool.
2. Navigate to the key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex and click Export registry/registration file to back up the entire key. To do this, enter a concise file name, such as Save - context menu anchor.reg and confirm with Save. From now on, you can perform a restore by double-clicking in the event of problems.
3. Mark the subkey ContextMenuHandlers and press Delete to delete it.
Now restart your computer and try right-clicking - now that all external anchors have been released, 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!
