Re-registering DLLs to Resolve Explorer.exe “Class Not Registered” Errors
So, I’ve run into this a few times — Windows throwing up that pesky “Class Not Registered” error whenever Explorer throws a tantrum. Often, it’s because a DLL file has become corrupt, damaged, or simply unregistered, causing Windows to throw a fit. I’ve noticed this usually happens after a Windows update or driver conflicts. The fix that finally worked for me was a manual re-registration of the problematic DLL, like explorerframe.dll. Not the easiest fix, but it can really do the trick.
Basically, you need to open an elevated Command Prompt—meaning “Run as Administrator”—and use the regsvr32 command. I usually press Windows + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin) (or, on older versions, just Command Prompt as administrator). Alternatively, you can search for cmd, right-click it, and choose Run as administrator. Once there, I run:
regsvr32 explorerframe.dllSometimes, Windows expects the full path, especially if the DLL isn’t in the default directory. In that case, run:
regsvr32 C:\Windows\System32\explorerframe.dllThe main thing to watch out for is that success message — “DllRegisterServer in explorerframe.dll succeeded.” When you see that, it means Windows has recognised the DLL again. If you’re running a 64-bit version of Windows and dealing with a 32-bit DLL, you might need to run the 64-bit version from C:\Windows\System32. For 32-bit DLLs, use the SysWOW64 folder. Also, if the command fails with “Failed to load the DLL,” it might mean the DLL’s missing or corrupted, or there’s a deeper system issue.
Once done, a quick restart usually helps Windows to load the new registration and sorts out the error. If you’re unsure which DLL is causing the problem — and sometimes, you can find clues in the Event Viewer under Windows Logs > Application — you might need to do this for multiple DLLs. Keep in mind that sometimes, this fix alone isn’t enough; in my experience, repairing the icon cache or running a full system scan can also help.
Using System File Checker (SFC) to Fix System File Issues
If re-registering DLLs doesn’t do the trick, the next step might be more serious — corrupted system files. Windows has a handy built-in tool called System File Checker (`sfc /scannow`) that can help. I’ve run it on systems that started acting up after updates or crashes.
To run it, open an elevated Command Prompt—again, Windows + X or search for cmd, right-click, and choose Run as administrator. Then, type:
sfc /scannowHit Enter and let it do its thing. It will scan your system files and attempt to repair any issues. It might take a few minutes — I’ve sometimes thought it’s frozen, but it keeps going. If it finds and repairs problems, great. If it reports it couldn’t fix some files, then it’s worth running DISM:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthAfter that, run sfc /scannow again, then restart your PC. This combo has sorted out many odd explorer.exe glitches, especially after updates that seem to mangle core files.
Addressing DCOM Issues for More Deep-Rooted Windows Errors
This part tripped me up a bit — sometimes, explorer.exe errors are caused by DCOM components not being registered right. DCOM, or Distributed COM, is what Windows uses to allow apps to talk to each other over networks or internally. If these components aren’t set up correctly, you might see explorer errors pop up.
If you want to dig into this, you can run dcomcnfg. Just press Windows + R, type it in, and hit Enter. A window called Component Services will open. From there, expand Component Services, then Computers, then My Computer, and finally DCOM Config. Sometimes, Windows will prompt you to register certain components — just accept or click “Yes” when asked.
Be careful here. Don’t randomly register DLLs unless you’re following a trusted guide, because it can do more harm than good. It’s safest to only register core components like MMCSS or Browser if you’re confident about what you’re doing. Also, restarting the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) service can sometimes help — just find “WMI” in Services (Win + R, type services.msc), locate Windows Management Instrumentation, right-click, and select Restart.
Re-registering All Built-in Apps With PowerShell
One trick I picked up was re-registering all the built-in Windows apps that can sometimes cause issues if they get corrupted. Using PowerShell (in admin mode), run this command:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}This re-initialises the Core Windows apps — things like the Start menu, Edge, and others — which can resolve strange UI woes. It takes a minute or two and can cause a bit of flickering, but it’s usually worth trying if your Start menu or taskbar isn’t behaving.
System Restore — The Easier Fix
If nothing else works, my first port of call is usually a system restore. Roll everything back to a point before the issues started — most of the time, that sorts things out quickly. To do this, search for “Create a restore point,” open System Properties, go to the “System Protection” tab, and click System Restore. Pick a restore point from before the problem appeared — ideally, before the last big Windows update or driver change — and follow the prompts. Just remember to save any important files beforehand, as restoring can undo recent changes. Usually, after a reboot, explorer.exe will be behaving again.
Of course, this isn’t a guaranteed fix — if the cause is deeper down, you might need a clean install, but in most cases, restore points do the job quickly and safely.
In summary, troubleshooting explorer.exe errors can be a bit of a process — lots of trial, patience, and sometimes plain old luck. Remember to back up your data, be cautious with system changes, and don’t stress if the fix doesn’t work straight away.
Hope this helps — it took me ages to figure out! Anyway, good luck, and let me know if you discover other handy tips!