windows explorer crashes everytime i try to either open a folder or icon on the desktop also if i try to access a file/folder via programs such as media players, photo editing and if i try to navigate to a particular folder in my documents to save downloads ect to a folder via internet explorer then windows explorer also crashes. this all means that i cannot explore my computer at all without windows explorer crashing, i,m using a progam that tryes to prevent crashes called 'crashproof-fix it', i copied the following form 'fix it' as a crash occured whilest i tried to open a desktop icon, i must point out at this time that i am a novice to computing i have only been online for 6 months so i dont know how helpful all this is.... the information message:- An exception (access violation) has occurred in module at .text + 0008496A in Win32 application explorer A programming error has caused the application to use an invalid pointer. In our experience, you can often prevent a crash like this simply by skipping the invalid instruction. The application is probably now in a fragile state, and you should try to save your work and close the application as soon as possible. EAX=00000000 CS=001B EIP=7CA4596A EFLGS=00000202 EBX=77D4B762 SS=0023 ESP=0007F8B8 EBP=0007FA28 ECX=00107E20 DS=0023 ESI=00107E20 FS=003B EDX=000001ED ES=0023 EDI=00000000 GS=0000 ADD CS:[E]IP: 00 00 and at this point the program (crashproof-fixit)gives me the option to 'try to prevent' after i hit this, i copied the following report (see below) before windows explorer crashes, the program 'fix it' always fails to prevent explorer from crashing,,,,,,usally explorer reboots after it crashes if it doesn't i start it via 'windows task manager' ctrl+alt=del. the infomation message:- An exception (illegal instruction) has occurred in module at .text + 00084975 in Win32 application explorer This particular crash is not repairable, so your only choice at this point is to terminate the application. EAX=00000000 CS=001B EIP=7CA45975 EFLGS=00000A03 EBX=77D46E62 SS=0023 ESP=0007F8B8 EBP=0007FA28 ECX=00107E20 DS=0023 ESI=00107E20 FS=003B EDX=000001ED ES=0023 EDI=00000000 GS=0000 ? CS:[E]IP: FF FF

you don't mention using any anti-virus or spyware programs. i got spyware today, they rearranged my video settings, my desktop, etc. ad-aware got rid of that mess

If the problem started after you installed a certain program, try uninstalling it and see if that helps. Also, you may try using System Restore, and pick a date when you know everything was working properly. I recommend scanning with AdAware and Spybot as well, since spyware often introduces these types of problems. Good luck, --Maxwell