Windows Explorer Starts When You Start Your Computer

ID: Q228502

The information in this article applies to:
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

After you start your computer normally or in safe mode, Windows Explorer may start and display the contents of the root folder or the Windows folder.


CAUSE

This behavior can occur if you are running Internet Explorer version 5.0 and the Windows Explorer DesktopProcess registry key is set.


RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).


To resolve this issue, delete the DesktopProcess key from the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

Additional query words: 5.0 5.00 


Keywords          : kbenv kbui msiew98 
Version           : WINDOWS:5
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: May 13, 1999