Explorer.exe has Generated Errors

Following an upgrade from an older version of Windows to a newer version, it is not uncommon that you may receive an error message at your first log on. Errors are very common when users upgrade to XP. When the error message appears the Windows Error Reporting utility runs and creates a file that attempts to tell you what the error. Once you know the error code you can begin to troubleshoot through the issue.

The error will read: Explorer.exe has generated errors and will be closed by Windows. Typically you will see the error message and your desktop will not appear at all or will appear blank. This happens because the Task Manger is already using all of its resources for upgrade and there are no resources available to display the desktop.

Here are two commonly used methods to fix the explorere.exe errors and allow your computer to run properly:

Method #1

• When you receive the error message press CTRL, ALT, DEL at the same time.
• Click on Task Manger.
• Click New Task.
• Type the word control and press Enter.
• Double click on Add/Remove Programs.
• When the list populates, click on the Clean Sweep program.
• Remove this program.
• When all steps are complete restart the computer.

Method #2

• Restart the computer.
• At the Boot menu press the F8 key to start Safe Mode.
• Select the Safe Mode Command.
• Change to the %SystemRoot%System32 folder.
• Rename the Apitrap.dll file to Apitrap.old.
• When all steps are complete, restart the computer.

One of these methods should be successful in repairing the error. If all else fails contact your Windows Support resource that can be located either with your operating system information or online.