Can't Right Click in/on My Computer

Hello,

I'm new to this forum, and need big help. My Windows XP Desktop computer no longer allows me to right click in My Computer or in any other variation of Windows Explorer. Whenever I right click on a file, folder, or even on the "My Computer" or "My Documents" icon in the start menu, my mouse cursor freezes for a few seconds, and then an error message pops up, saying that "Windows Explorer encountered a problem..." Whether I choose to send the error message or not, my screen freezes and the taskbar and desktop icons dissappear. The last time this happened, my task bar did not return untill I shut down and then rebooted my machine.

I have never experienced anything like this, and I need to remap my external hard drive but am unable to because of this.

Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
-Frank

Well before we actually start the troubleshooting can you tell me what is the actual version of your operating system and what service pack you are using. The solution may differ from version to version, hence. You can find the complete details about your system by simply running the following command in Start > RUN “winver”

Apart from this I will suggest you to better try cleaning up your system Most of the time cleaning up fixes several problems. Apart from that there is few more troubleshooting which you can carry out on your own in such situations.

Reset the registry and the file permissions: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377
Download/install this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301
After installing, do the following: Start button --> RUN --> type in the following and press Enter:

"%ProgramFiles%\Windows Installer Clean Up\msizap.exe" g!

Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan (separately) with the following two applications (freeware versions are the ones to use for this):
SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/

MalwareBytes
http://www.malwarebytes.com/

After performing a full scan with one and then the other and removing whatever they both find completely, you may uninstall these products, if you wish.

Download and run the MSRT manually: http://www.microsoft.com/security/ma...e/default.mspx

There could be any shell extension which could be causing the problem. It should be with "ShellExView". Once you find them, just disable half the items then test your right-click. Keep halving them until you narrow it down and find the one causing the crash, then disable it.

sorry about that...

It is a Windows XP Home Edition Version 5.1 with Service Pack 3. Had it for about 5 or 6 years now.