EP is crashing on today's latest Windows 11 updates.

[RobertLaffan]

I will try to get version numbers, etc. and add them here. This is just a heads-up.

[giannikis]

Happens to me since yesterday.
I tried resetting all EP settings to default without luck.

Running EP 22621.1992.56.1
Windows 11 Pro 22621.2070

[aldeniangman]

i agree on 25931 i can't still change the taskbar position or have small icons although it says.

[pyrates999]

That is a preview update: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/july-26-2023-kb5028254-os-build-22621-2070-preview-66161ea6-c106-43e9-bef5-8410ccbd34e8

Uninstall it if you want to use explorer patcher and don't install preview updates in the future: https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/wiki/Symbols

[giannikis]

Thanks @pyrates999
It's weird. I did not manually run windows update. Did microsoft start forcing preview updates to end-users?

[pyrates999]

Microsoft currently does not automatically install preview updates. They show a prompt asking you to download and install it. Preview updates also come out during the second half of a month. Don't install them if you want to use explorer patcher.

They're also called preview updates for a reason in that they're not fully tested.

[tpcr]

Uninstalling this preview is not in my uninstall list. I will have to uninstall EP until an update is available

[vippium]

To fix crashing on preview updates, simply uninstall EP completely and delete these reg. keys :
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ExplorerPatcher
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ExplorerPatcher

After deleting these, restart ur device. Then, install EP (with latest updates) and wait till the symbols to be downloaded msg appear. After that, simply restart ur device again.
For win11 flyout users, action center will be overlapped over Win10 taskbar.

[dthoeni]

Great solution. Works fine!
Thanks for sharing.

[Leokuma]

Worked for me, but after reinstalling EP I also had to change some (any) settings and click on Restart File Explorer. I also switched my theme from dark to light a couple of times and eventually it stabilized apparently.

[pronode]

Worked for me!

[spiralofhope]

My solution didn't need a second reboot:

1. Uninstall ExplorerPatcher
2. Launch regedit.exe
3. Search for Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ExplorerPatcher
4. Delete that folder and its sub-folders.
5. Reboot
6. Reinstall ExplorerPatcher. It will take some time, but it will work with all your earlier settings.

[pyrates999]

I include a reboot due to finding that sometimes after the symbols have been downloaded, and you restarted file explorer, some applications were crashing when I tried to run them. Only a reboot fixed that I found.

[pyrates999]

In the settings app, untick "Get the latest updates as soon as available" so that preview updates are not automatically installed.

All preview updates are then shown as download and install and are never automatically installed if you have the above unticked.

[BinToss]

If the taskbar only crashes when you right-click it, then you might not need to uninstall EP.
In ExplorerPatcher Properties, go to Advanced and tick "Do not change the taskbar context menu (...)".

I'm running Win11 22H2 (22621.2070) and EP v22621.1992.56.1

[tpcr]

If explorer crashes when you right click it, how are you going to get to the EP properties? Is there another way? Maybe a reg patch.

[BinToss]

If explorer crashes when you right click it, how are you going to get to the EP properties? Is there another way? Maybe a reg patch.

Search for "ExplorerPatcher" or "Properties" in the Start/Search menu.

[pyrates999]

I would just uninstall the preview update and don't install preview updates in the future.

[tpcr]

Not so. The list of updates are there but there is no option to uninstall them.

[BinToss]

There's no Uninstall option when you right-click the update, either.

[tallman69]

I have the latest version of Windows 11. If I scroll down to the bottom of the Update history page under Related settings there is a setting titled Uninstall updates. When I click on that it will display which updates are available to uninstall.

[BinToss]

Ohhhh! The problematic Cumulative Update Preview has a different name in the Uninstall updates page!
Look for "Update For Microsoft Windows (KB5028254)"

[pyrates999]

KB5028254 matches the name of the preview update I suggested you uninstall. Glad you found it though.

[Tiagoquix]

I can confirm that ExplorerPatcher became unstable on my Windows 11 after installing the KB5029263 update.

EDIT: The issues were resolved on my Windows 11 after deleting the keys IsUndockedAssetAvailable (located at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ExplorerPatcher\twinui.pcshell) and OSBuild (located at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ExplorerPatcher). After that, I restarted EP and about 3 minutes later I received a notification of symbols being downloaded. After that, I restarted EP again and had no more problems.

[Tiagoquix]

The issues were resolved on my Windows 11 after deleting the keys IsUndockedAssetAvailable (located at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ExplorerPatcher\twinui.pcshell) and OSBuild (located at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ExplorerPatcher). After that, I restarted EP and about 3 minutes later I received a notification of symbols being downloaded. After that, I restarted EP again and had no more problems.

[eduardomcorrea]

Unfortunately didn't work for me.
Keep crashing when open any folder, but other functions are ok.
OS Build 22621.2134

Try to uninstall, delete registry and delete folder, reboot... did the steps... keep crashing

[tpcr]

I have same OS Build and works for me. Open the console in settings>advanced to make sure the symbol library is loaded. The console may give you some clues

[tpcr]

Also, if you are using open-shell, make sure that is updated too. Classic-shell needs to be updated to Open-Shell

[tpcr]

If all that fails. Try a new profile and see if problem persists. If so, run sfc /scannow in command prompt

[MMOStars]

Worked for me.

[tpcr]

Worked for me too, and the list of uninstall updates does not show the affecting updates in my list. That list is hit or miss.

[zaadstra]

There is a symbols update (restart) and that makes all working fine again.

[tpcr]

Yes, deleting the reg keys forces a symbols update. Then all works fine.

[zaadstra]

I did nothing, just started up W11.

[Undisputed00x]

It didnt fix the issue just updated to August cumulative update (KB5029263) deleted reg keys and forced symbols to be downloaded there was no fix and i have to go back to Win10 taskbar

[ssateneth]

I tried the regedit changes as described by Tiagoquix on 4 computers with OS build 22621.2134 Win11 Pro for Workstations and KB5029263 (Cumulative update 2023-08)

Explorer continues to crash, only after a certain amount of time after explorer has loaded though.

[tpcr]

Everyone who has mentioned an issue did not say whether the symbol update occurred. Make sure that 'Enable symbols download' is on in the Advanced Properties. Since none of my computers or users have issues, I have to assume that if you are experiencing Explorer crashes, you have a wrong or left over setting somewhere. Try completely removing EP from your file system and registry. If not working there is probably something left over.

[AudioAnchorite]

EP was crashing for me after the WU (not the first time, so I knew the problem was symbols). When I looked at my settings, "Enable symbols download" had become unchecked. I re-checked it, and terminated explorer.exe int he Task Manager, then restarted it via "Run New Task". After that I started EP and the symbols finally downloaded. No more problems.

[as232]

In my case, "Enable Symbols Download" was already checked. The problem perissts -- right-clicking the taskbar causes Explorer to crash and restart.

[AudioAnchorite]

You need to find a way to trigger the symbols download. You could try turning the setting off and restarting EP and then turning it back on, resetting EP to default settings and restarting EP, checking and/or deleting the registry keys under Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ExplorerPatcher and then uninstalling and then reinstalling EP, etc.

[ssateneth]

After the regedit thing, I rebooted the computers, did NOTHING and waited for notification that symbols downloaded, then rebooted the computers again. I did not open any folders, or click any start menus or task bars after deleting the regedit things.

[eduardomcorrea]

These steps alleviate the problem, but do not correct it.

[tpcr]

What do you means by 'do not correct it' I don't see any issues here.

[eduardomcorrea]

This entire topic are about an issue

[tpcr]

I just wanted clarification on what you meant by 'do not correct it'. The steps seem to correct my issues with EP

[pyrates999]

duplicate of: #1828

Please close this one.

Possible fix: In ExplorerPatcher Properties, go to Advanced and tick "Do not change the taskbar context menu"

[eduardomloureiro]

this fix seems to have worked for me.

EP was crashing when right clicking the task bar (win 11 style);
I tried changing it to win 10 style, and it stopped crashing, but then win+tab and alt+tab stopped working.
now back to win 11 style, it has not crashed since ticking "Do not change the taskbar context menu".

thanks!

[aieiebrazor]

my file explorer continue crashing random when i try to open a folder. Installed latest EP upgrade but no result : (
I use W10 Style
Any fix?
Tnx

[pyrates999]

Switch to windows 11 style taskbar for now.

[as232]

I am running Windows 11 Task bar and having the same problem. Enable Symbols Download was already checked as well.

[pyrates999]

Possible fix: In ExplorerPatcher Properties, go to Advanced and tick "Do not change the taskbar context menu"

[Jerryljy]

Win11 OS build 22621.2134 continue crash and restart when right click on taskbar, looks like not able to open it.
latest version 22621.1992.56.3 installed.
any clue to fix the issue?

[LarsErikOsterud]

Running WIndows 11 22621.2215. Explorer Patcher kept restaring all the time yesterday.
But today it seems to work OK (but I did delete some registry entries).
Is there certain parts that do not work (so we can keep those off)?
I allready had the "Don't change taskbar context manu" checked.

[AudioAnchorite]

You need to find a way to trigger the "symbols download". Check the comments in this thread for methods.

[SBBH]

Same issue as as232 can't use Windows 11 taskbar unless "Do not change the taskbar context menu" is checked but then you loose most of the context menu. Unfortunately, all the fixes listed here do not work for me.

[as232]

Symbols download was already checked. Also tried un-checking it, then re-checking. No improvement, issue persists.

[pyrates999]

Never untick download symbols when you are running a public release of windows:

Possible fix: In ExplorerPatcher Properties, go to Advanced and tick "Do not change the taskbar context menu"

[igroglaz]

got same issue. nothing helps :(
Windows: 10.0.22621 Build 22621

[pyrates999]

Possible fix: In ExplorerPatcher Properties, go to Advanced and tick "Do not change the taskbar context menu"

[igroglaz]

I've tried it; it doesn't work.

[Undisputed00x]

Possible fix: In ExplorerPatcher Properties, go to Advanced and tick "Do not change the taskbar context menu"

Thats not a fix but a temporary workaround until there is an actual fix!!

[SBBH]

The latest update fixed this problem for me. Thank you very much!