How to kill explorer.exe when it's frozen on the start screen?

2

I'm trying to get Windows 8.1 explorer.exe to run on Windows 10 (like Ex7ForW8).

My explorer.exe was running in IDA and I opened the start screen. I then pressed the down arrow for "more apps". At that point IDA hit a breakpoint and the screen froze halfway through the animation.

Ctrl+Alt+Delete works but the task manager seems to open in the background, behind the start screen (normally the start screen goes away when it's opened)... I'm also able to Switch User (but I have no other user), Lock, Change password, Open Magnifier and an On-screen keyboard.

Is there any way I could kill explorer.exe if it's frozen on the start screen? I haven't saved for a long time would lose hours of work if I had to restart.

helpme123

Posted 2017-07-08T05:52:02.000

Reputation: 23

2

use a 2nd monitor and open taskmgr/process explorer/process hacker here before trying to debug. Also try OldNewExplorer to bring old features back to Explorer

– magicandre1981 – 2017-07-08T06:02:53.700

@magicandre1981: Wow, that worked! The second monitor wasn't frozen on start so I could open Task Manager. Thank you so much :) – helpme123 – 2017-07-08T06:06:43.233

ok, I've posted it as answer, so that you can accept it

– magicandre1981 – 2017-07-08T06:16:34.857

Answers

3

You should try to use a 2nd monitor and open taskmgr/process explorer/process hacker here before trying to debug the application on the main monitor.

You should also try OldNewExplorer to bring old features back to Explorer :

OldNewExplorer is the Windows 10 (and Windows 8.1, and 8) shell extension / tweaker which can undo "improvements" to file browsing made in newer Windows version. Everything is optional for your liking.

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magicandre1981

Posted 2017-07-08T05:52:02.000

Reputation: 86 560

Asked: 2017-07-08T05:52:02.000

Viewed: 783 times

Active: 2017-07-08T06:15:55.500