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;

• chkdsk c: /r
• sfc /scannow
• dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
• dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup /resetbase

 

[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;

• chkdsk c: /r
• sfc /scannow
• dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
• dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup /resetbase

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.

• Please go here and download Speccy.
• Install and run the program.
• Upon Completion:
• Hit File
• Publish Snap Shot
• A link will appear, post that link.

---

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.

• Please go here and download Speccy.
• Install and run the program.
• Upon Completion:
• Hit File
• Publish Snap Shot
• A link will appear, post that link.

---

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:

Download Windows Update MiniTool - MajorGeeks

Windows Update MiniTool is a free alternative to the standard Windows Update; it puts you in control of updates by allowing you to search, install, and block Windows updates as you please.

www.majorgeeks.com

 

[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:

Download Windows Update MiniTool - MajorGeeks

Windows Update MiniTool is a free alternative to the standard Windows Update; it puts you in control of updates by allowing you to search, install, and block Windows updates as you please.

www.majorgeeks.com

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

 

[Ubsequeness]

Speccy Scan.

• Please go here and download Speccy.
• Install and run the program.
• Upon Completion:
• Hit File
• Publish Snap Shot
• A link will appear, post that link.

---

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

GetSystemInfo (GSI) Parser: PC Compatibility Checker

Kaspersky GetSystemInfo (GSI) Parser allows you to check and fix PC compatibility issues between Kaspersky products and other software. Troubleshoot with Kaspersky GSI Parser!

www.getsysteminfo.com

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.

 

[Rustys]

Looks as you posted a spilt second just before I did give him time to go through the logs and give you a proper answer.

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.

At least you have a work around for it until it gets resolved.

 

[Malnutrition]

Uninstall the following with Geekuninstaller.

Amazon Assistant - 10.18.0221
Bonjour - 3.1.0.1
Java 8 Update 171 - 8.0.1710.11
Java Auto Updater - 2.8.171.11
McAfee WebAdvisor - 4.0.161
qBittorrent 4.1.6 - 4.1.6

Then run the mcafee removal tool.

Run this from elevated command prompt.

del /s /q C:\Program Files\TrueKey

Reboot your machine and check the issue.

---

If it's still there, then download KillEmAll to your desktop, double click the app to start it hit enter twice. This will stop all non essential programs from running on your machine, including your browser so save anything before running it.

Now try and see of the issue is still there.

---

If the issue is still there.......


Enable the built in admin account, then log out of yours and into it and see of the same issue is there.

1. Select “Start” and type “CMD“.
2. Right-click “Command Prompt” then choose “Run as administrator“.
3. If prompted, enter a username and password that grants admin rights to the computer.
4. Type: net user administrator /active:yes
5. Press “Enter“.

 

[Ubsequeness]

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

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.

Yes, all sorts of apps used to be able to open file explorer, Discord included.

As for Malnutrition's instructions, I will get back to you on that

 

[Rustys]

One more thing that I have discovered over the years then will leave you in the capable hands of Malnutrition.

Using the Apps off the app store are not always as good as getting the download form the manufactures site.

 

[Ubsequeness]

Uninstall the following with Geekuninstaller.

Amazon Assistant - 10.18.0221
Bonjour - 3.1.0.1
Java 8 Update 171 - 8.0.1710.11
Java Auto Updater - 2.8.171.11
McAfee WebAdvisor - 4.0.161
qBittorrent 4.1.6 - 4.1.6

Then run the mcafee removal tool.

Run this from elevated command prompt.



Reboot your machine and check the issue.

---

If it's still there, then download KillEmAll to your desktop, double click the app to start it hit enter twice. This will stop all non essential programs from running on your machine, including your browser so save anything before running it.

Now try and see of the issue is still there.

---

If the issue is still there.......


Enable the built in admin account, then log out of yours and into it and see of the same issue is there.

1. Select “Start” and type “CMD“.
2. Right-click “Command Prompt” then choose “Run as administrator“.
3. If prompted, enter a username and password that grants admin rights to the computer.
4. Type: net user administrator /active:yes
5. Press “Enter“.

I couldn't find Java Auto Update on the program list and when running the command to delete TrueKey, it said it couldn't find it. I couldn't find it either when looking in the Program Files folder. The KillEmAll didn't work either. What precisely do you mean by "Enable the built in admin account"?

One more thing that I have discovered over the years then will leave you in the capable hands of Malnutrition.

Using the Apps off the app store are not always as good as getting the download form the manufactures site.

Discord and GestureDraw were not off the app store.