Explorer.exe is an essential startup executable process. It automatically runs when you start your system. It contains various startup processes like start menu, taskbar, desktop, and file manager.
Sometimes users face error called Explorer.exe class not registered. This issue prevents them from services like Outlook, Edge, Windows explorer, internet explorer, etc. Sometimes even the start menu does not get launched due to this error.
There can be various reasons for this issue. As this is related to systems files, sometimes malware impacts the files. Antivirus removes them while scanning, which causes further issues. In this situation, users start facing issues with their Explorer.exe class.
After our extensive research, we have come across various fixes of Explorer.exe class not registered error. Try our solution until your error gets fixed mentioned in this blog.
Explorer.Exe Class Not Registered Error: Problem Overview
Under this issue, users are unable to launch some programs like Internet Explorer, outlook, start menu, etc. This abides them from using various services. In some cases, the windows Photo application is not running.
The reason behind the error can be many things, some of them are mentioned below.
Explorer.Exe Class Not Registered Error: Related Problems
Explorer.exe class not registered error has various other roots. Sometimes when a user tries to open a PDF file they see Class not registered error. Sometimes when a user tries to open pictures (JPG, PNG, etc) and videos they see the same error message.
Some of the problems which occur because of similar error are mentioned below.
- Windows 10 class not registered start menu not working
- Run-time error Class not registered
- Class not registered attendance management program
- Spotify class not registered
- Explorer Exe class not registered
- Explorer Exe error
- Edge class not registered
- DDE server windows unknown hard error
- Unknown hard error windows explorer
Basic Troubleshooting Steps
Explorer.exe class not registered error is triggering many issues. Users who are facing issues with JPG files, videos, other applications, etc. Before going for advanced troubleshooting perform this.
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Consider Resetting Default Apps
Also remove some unwanted apps from the default application list of your system by resetting it to default.
- Go to “Settings” option from your windows.
- Choose “Apps” option.
- Now in left pane, tap on the option “Default apps”.
- Look for “Reset to the Microsoft recommended defaults” and tap on the toggle “Reset” available there.
Now check if the class not registered error is fixed or not. In case not then go for our advanced troubleshooting steps.
Steps To Fix Fix Explorer.Exe Class Not Registered
We have included various methods to fix Explorer.exe class not registered error. Various applications like Google chrome, uTorrent, Outlook, Windows Media Player, etc. We advise you to apply these methods carefully.
- Step-1 : Try Component Services
- Step-2 : Reboot The Windows Explorer
- Step-3 : Deactivate The Internet Explorer
- Step-4 : Run System File Checker
- Step-5 : Check On Icloud And Disable It
- Step-6 : Check On Explorereframe.Dll File
- Step-7 : Create New Microsoft Credentials
- Step-8 : Disable/Uninstall Antivirus Applications
- Step-9 : Check On Your Hard Drive
- Step-10 : Consider Restoring Your System
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Step 1
Try Component Services
Microsoft’s component services are well known for managing the programs by giving them a run time framework.
Follow the below steps to perform this:
- Tap on the “Windows logo” key and alphabet “R” to open the RUN dialogue box.
- Now type “dcomcnfg” in the Run box and tap OK or press Enter key.
- Component services screen will pop up, tap on the “Computers” option to expand, and then go for the “My computer” option available in the left pane.
- In the right pane, double-tap on the “DCOM Config” folder. In case any warning message prompts, just click yes.
- Once it is done close the component service screen. Restart your system to apply changes.
- This method generally fixes the error Explorer.exe class not registered.
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Step 2
Reboot the Windows Explorer
Restarting the window reboots all the present configurations. Under this, you have to reset windows explorer via task manager.
Follow the below steps to do so:
- Tap on the “Windows logo” key and alphabet “R” to open the RUN dialogue box.
- Now type “taskmgr” in the Run box and tap OK.
- Your task manager will be on your screen, switch to the “Processes” tap from the top bar.
- Now choose “Windows explorer” and tap on it and select “Restart” toggle present in the bottom left.
After doing this check whether the error with Explorer.exe class got fixed or not.
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Step 3
Deactivate the Internet Explorer
This method can take some time initially as this requires administrative access. Also, startups can take little time after rebooting. So be patient while performing this method.

Do follow the below steps to do so:
- Tap the Windows logo key with alphabet “X” and choose “Control Panel” from the list.
- Now in the top right, look for “View by” and choose “Large icons”.
- Now choose the “Programs and Features” option.
- A window will pop up, now go for “Turn Windows features on or off” option.
- Now look for “Internet Explorer 11” and unmark it. A confirmation pop will prompt on the screen, choose “Yes”. Then press Ok.
- After this restart your system. This reboot can take little time so do not hurry.
Once it is done, do check whether your Explorer.exe class not registered error got fixed or not.
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Step 4
Run System File Checker
The system file checker utility of Microsoft Windows can be a remarkable option here. This inbuilt facility checks on the system file to point out the corrupt ones. SFC is quite good while dealing with minor issues.
Do follow the below steps to perform this:
- Launch the RUN dialogue box by pressing the “Windows logo” key with the alphabet “R”.
- Type “Taskmgr” and tap “ok”. This will open up the task manager.
- Now tap on the “File” tab present above in right. And choose “Run new task”.
- Now a page will appear, write “Powershell” and mark the statement “Create this task with administrative privileges”.
- Now Powershell screen will be there, just write this command “sfc /scannow” and tap Enter key.
Note: This procedure will take time, as this is scanning the whole systems file. Generally, it automatically fixes the error. In case any error gets detected but did not get fixed then we will go for the DISM command to fix it.
- In case the error is not fixed then type “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” in the Powershell screen and press Enter key.
This process will automatically replace the corrupt files with a new one via windows update server. This method requires an Internet connection. It can also take some time so do not interrupt it in between.
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Step 5
Check on iCloud and Disable it
Here, iCloud can be a culprit here, as it contains the history of applications. Sometimes history of the application conflicts with the operating system. You need to disable or deactivate it including closing all the other related processes. Perform this task to check whether the issue gets fixed or not.

- Launch the RUN dialogue box by pressing the “Windows logo” key with the alphabet “R”.
- Type “Taskmgr” and tap “ok”. This will open up the task manager.
- On the appeared window, Switch to the “Startup” tab on top.
- Now find “iCloud” in the list and right tap on it to choose the “Disable” option. You can also try ending all the iCloud related processes there.
- Now restart the system to apply these changes successfully.
Once done, check whether the error Explorer.exe class not responding got resolved or not.
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Step 6
Check on ExplorereFrame.dll file
This method will help you to re-register the ExplorerFrame.dll file in your system. This DLL file contains various essential files used by explorer.exe like bitmaps, menus, icons, etc. In case it gets corrupted or unregistered by mistake then it can cause such errors. Re-registering of ExplorerFrame.dll file can fix Explorer.exe class not registered error.
- Tap on the Windows logo key with alphabet “X” and choose “Command Prompt (Admin) ” option from the list.
- As the command prompt window screen appears, type “regsvr32 ExplorerFrame.dll” and press Enter key.
- Restart your system to apply these changes.
Now, check whether the issue with your Explorer.exe got fixed or not. In case it is not, then one more thing you can do as mentioned below.
- Go to someone’s system, which is working correctly. Copy the “ExplorerFrame.dll” file from there in any USB card.
- Paste it in your system by going into the original location of the already existing ExplorerFrame.dll file.
Path regarding copying and pasting is:
- “C drive”>“Windows”>“System32”
- “C drive”>“Windows”>“SysWOW64”

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Step 7
Create new Microsoft credentials
User account is responsible for some settings and preferences are given to various applications being used. So in case, there is an issue in the local account, then it can cause Explorer.exe class not registered error.
So, another way to fix Explorer.exe class not registered error is to create a new Microsoft account. Follow the below steps to create a new account in windows 10.
- Tap on “Windows logo key” with alphabet “I”, a setting window will open up.
- Choose the “Accounts” option present over there.
- Look in the left pane and tap on “Family and other people”. Now, look in the right pane and tap on “Add someone else to this PC”.
- On the popped up screen, type Microsoft accounts email that you want to add and press “Next” toggle.
- On the next page, just “Log out” from your present account and then go for the new one.
Once you created a new account, log in using credentials to check whether the error gets fixed or not.
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Step 8
Disable/Uninstall Antivirus Applications
Sometimes, third-party applications like antivirus quarantine essential system files. Explorer.exe class, not registered error can be the result of such conflicting antivirus software.
We will recommend you to try to uninstall your antivirus temporarily to check whether the error got fixed or not. In case it gets fixed hen to consider another antivirus for your system. Or you can contact your antivirus manufacturer to change some settings so that it cannot conflict with explorer.exe.

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Step 9
Check on your Hard Drive
Before going for system restore check on your systems hard drive. Sometimes a defective hard drive can cause such error. To make sure the hard drive you are using is not faulty we will use WMIC. It is a Windows management instrumentation command-line. It can detect the faulty hard drive if any.
To check the status of your hard drives follows the below steps:
- Press the Windows logo key with alphabet “X” and choose “Command Prompt” from the list.
- A black screen will be there, type “wmic diskdrive get status” and tap the Enter key to execute.
Now patiently wait for the process till it gets complete. If the disk drive is good it will display “OK” as status.
In case there is any fault it will show “Caution” or “Bad” or “Unknown” as a result. In such a case if the issue is not resolvable then you might have to replace the hard drive.
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Step 10
Consider restoring your system
If nothing worked for you then the last option is to restore your system using restore points. Restoring system does not affect any personal data or files. Under this process, the system removes some applications and restores others in their previous versions.
Do follow the below steps to perform this method:
- Look for “Recovery” in the search bar of your start menu and tap on it to open.
- Now find the “Open System Restore” option and click o it.
- A box will pop up on your screen, tap on the “Next”.
- You will encounter a list of previous restore points. Select the oldest one and tap on the “Finish” toggle.
Wait until the process gets finished, this will take little time. Make sure you have connected your system to the charger.
Once it is done, check whether the error Explorer.exe class not registered got fixed or not.
Tips to avoid Explorer.Exe Class Not Registered Error
Contact Official Support
In case still you are facing the error. We would recommend you to fix Explorer.exe class not registered error via the official support team. Contact the manufacturers of your system customer support regarding your issue, as you are using a laptop or desktop of any brands then contact their support like Dell support, Hp support, Lenovo support, etc. Make sure you have all the basic details of your system.
Final words: Conclusion
All the above-mentioned method has been pre-tested by our experts. Please apply them carefully and let us know if you face any issues in between.
In case the error Explorer.exe class not responding gets fixed. Let us know via the comment section available below. Your feedback always encourages our potential.