Apps Cannot Open File Explorer

[Ubsequeness]

When trying to open File Explorer from an app such as Discord, Spotify, or as seen in the screenshot attached, GestureDrawing, I cannot open File Explorer to choose a folder or file to use. This happens in Administrator Mode as well, and it happens even with reinstallations. GestureDrawing was just installed this evening. I downloaded ProcessMonitor to get an idea for what is happening, but it is a bit beyond my understanding. What is in the screenshot takes place after one click of the button to open File Explorer.

[Bruce]

sounds like a system function, like OpenFileDialog, either in a DLL or API, may need re-registering or similar.

it was working before the install of GestureDrawing?
and if you uninstall that, File Explorer works again?
does it also occur for other users of the PC? - if there aren’t any, create another user account and test.
what about when the PC is booted into Safe Mode?

try these from an elevated command prompt;
[ul]
[li]chkdsk c: /r[/li][li]sfc /scannow[/li][li]dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth[/li][li]dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup /resetbase[/li][/ul]

[Ubsequeness]

sounds like a system function, like OpenFileDialog, either in a DLL or API, may need re-registering or similar.

it was working before the install of GestureDrawing?
and if you uninstall that, File Explorer works again?
does it also occur for other users of the PC? - if there aren’t any, create another user account and test.
what about when the PC is booted into Safe Mode?

try these from an elevated command prompt;
[ul]
[li]chkdsk c: /r[/li][li]sfc /scannow[/li][li]dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth[/li][li]dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup /resetbase[/li][/ul]

It has been a problem long before GestureDrawing, it’s just now that I’ve paid 15$ for GestureDrawing the issue comes to the fore now. I will try your suggestions.

[Rustys]

If I may add.

What are the steps you are preforming to open file explorer?

[Ubsequeness]

If I may add.

What are the steps you are preforming to open file explorer?

Back now after chkdsk, no change. It is buttons like these that don’t work. They’re supposed to bring up an instance of file explorer and you’ll choose the file/folder you want and you go from there, but nothing happens when I press them. I will go on with the next steps.

[Ubsequeness]

Back now after chkdsk, no change. It is buttons like these that don’t work. They’re supposed to bring up an instance of file explorer and you’ll choose the file/folder you want and you go from there, but nothing happens when I press them. I will go on with the next steps.

Sorry, I should have added that it still doesn’t work on different user accounts and it didn’t work in safe mode either.

[Bruce]

what about the SFC and DISM commands?

to also happen in Safe Mode indicates a basic function of Windows is corrupted.
if the above commands don’t fix it, you are looking at a reinstall of Windows, either a repair or a fresh install.

do those other commands, if no luck, let’s do a reset of Windows.
click Start, type in reset and click Reset this PC. click Get Started and choose Keep my Files.

[Ubsequeness]

what about the SFC and DISM commands?

to also happen in Safe Mode indicates a basic function of Windows is corrupted.
if the above commands don’t fix it, you are looking at a reinstall of Windows, either a repair or a fresh install.

do those other commands, if no luck, let’s do a reset of Windows.
click Start, type in reset and click Reset this PC. click Get Started and choose Keep my Files.

SFC and the first DISM didn’t do anything. I am on the DISM command with /startcomponentcleanup and /resetbase now.

[Malnutrition]

Speccy Scan.
[ul]
[li]Please go here and download Speccy.[/li][li]Install and run the program.[/li][li]Upon Completion:[/li][li]Hit File[/li][li]Publish Snap Shot[/li][li]A link will appear, post that link.[/li][/ul]

---

Step 2: Get System Info Log.
Include in your next reply a Get System Info log.
Save it to your desktop when complete.
Once you have the file on your desktop, then upload it here, and Here.
Copy the URL after your report is loaded.
Then send us the link.

[Ubsequeness]

SFC and the first DISM didn’t do anything. I am on the DISM command with /startcomponentcleanup and /resetbase now.

No change.

Speccy Scan.
[ul]
[li]Please go here and download Speccy.[/li][li]Install and run the program.[/li][li]Upon Completion:[/li][li]Hit File[/li][li]Publish Snap Shot[/li][li]A link will appear, post that link.[/li][/ul]

---

Step 2: Get System Info Log.
Include in your next reply a Get System Info log.
Save it to your desktop when complete.
Once you have the file on your desktop, then upload it here, and Here.
Copy the URL after your report is loaded.
Then send us the link.

Thank you, I will try this out in the AM.

[Bastet]

Do you have the May Cumulative update installed? This seems to be causing problem with Apps & Programs not opening or being slow to respond.
I would uninstall the May update & see if things improve, if they don’t then you can reinstall it. If things do improve then you can block the update using the Windows Update Minitool:

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/windows_update_minitool.html

[Rustys]

In discord when you follow the onscreen instruction to DOUBLE Click does anything happen.
Do you get an error message?

What are you attempting to add?

Are you attempting to add a file into a section that you are not authorized to?

What are the steps you are preforming to open file explorer?

Please follow my instruction did not ask for images.

Have you tried doing this in the web page version of Discord to see if it works there or not?

[Ubsequeness]

In discord when you follow the onscreen instruction to DOUBLE Click does anything happen.
Do you get an error message?

What are you attempting to add?

Are you attempting to add a file into a section that you are not authorized to?

Please follow my instruction did not ask for images.

Have you tried doing this in the web page version of Discord to see if it works there or not?

No error message pops up. The button goes away as if it is clicked but the file explorer doesn’t come up as it should.

I am attempting to add png files.

I am not attempting to add files to Discord channels I’m not authorised to, if that is what you’re asking. The “add file” button doesn’t show up if you’re not allowed to upload files to a channel.

The steps I am performing is simply clicking the button that says upload a file or select a folder.

The webpage of Discord works. When I upload something on Google Chrome file explorer opens, and for things like 7zip where I have to specify where I want to unzip a file it works.

Do you have the May Cumulative update installed? This seems to be causing problem with Apps & Programs not opening or being slow to respond.
I would uninstall the May update & see if things improve, if they don’t then you can reinstall it. If things do improve then you can block the update using the Windows Update Minitool:

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/windows_update_minitool.html

This has been a problem long before the May cumulative update.

[Ubsequeness]

Speccy Scan.
[ul]
[li]Please go here and download Speccy.[/li][li]Install and run the program.[/li][li]Upon Completion:[/li][li]Hit File[/li][li]Publish Snap Shot[/li][li]A link will appear, post that link.[/li][/ul]

---

Step 2: Get System Info Log.
Include in your next reply a Get System Info log.
Save it to your desktop when complete.
Once you have the file on your desktop, then upload it here, and Here.
Copy the URL after your report is loaded.
Then send us the link.

http://speccy.piriform.com/results/sD0Df8dUZpDzcyzOoXz1yRc

https://www.getsysteminfo.com/report/d6bf15e3100716d14cf7ad1d4fc7ca25

https://files.catbox.moe/bjvits.zip

[Rustys]

You have been able to add png files through the downloaded version of discord before?

The “add file” button doesn’t show up if you’re not allowed to upload files to a channel.

Would not know I have never not been able to add to a channel except voice.

Do not forget to follow in instruction form @Malnutrition in post # 9 that will review any thing(s) that may be blocking it.