Classic Shell: Forum

Once again, unfortunately, I have a problem with this new version of Classic Shell.

4.2.4 on Windows 10

What's happening this time is it appears Explorer isn't loading.

Here's what I've done so far:

Updated on top of 4.2.4 (I normally always update on top of previous versions)... explorer can't restart or even load after restarting computer.

I uninstalled Classic Shell and reinstalled. This will work for current session, but then after a reboot the same problem happens again.

Hope you can try to understand if I don't reinstall Classic Shell to help with troubleshooting for a fix, but, I don't like how unusable Windows is without explorer loading.

If you just uninstall Classic Shell, can you reboot successfully?

Yes. Rebooting works fine, it's just explorer doesn't seem to be loading. I get a black screen.
I also tried going back to 4.2.3 using the 'archive" site and it happens with that... which is strange, you guys helped me with 4.2.3

By "reboot successfully" I mean, you reboot, log in, and get Explorer and everything.
Is everything working correctly without Classic Shell being installed?

Yes. I'm sorry if I confused you.
If I uninstall Classic Shell... and then reboot (using ctrl + alt + del) it restarts normally, Windows loads up, I can log in and everything loads.

OK. Let's try few more tests:
Install version 4.2.4 again
Run regedit, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\IvoSoft\ClassicStartMenu\Settings, create a new DWORD named LogStartup and set it to 1
Download Classic Shell Utility from here: http://classicshell.net/downloads/

Then restart, and when Explorer fails to load, run the utility from the Task Manager and let it save a log file. Send that file to me.
Also look for a file named StartupLog.txt in %LOCALAPPDATA%\ClassicShell. Send me that file too. If you can't find the file, look in %APPDATA%\ClassicShell as well.

Working on this now.

Please standby if you can.

I just simply restarted the process instead of rebooting, but I will still reboot...

Expect an edit to this post soon...

Uninstalling Classic Shell yet again once more just so things will load normally in future...

Okay, still rebooting and loading up normally with Classic Shell uninstalled.

Hope those files serve you well and you can figure out a fix.

I won't be surprised if Microsoft changed something again like the last time you guys helped me.

Good luck... for now I'm fine using the normal start menu, but yes, I will miss Classic Shell.

Don't worry, if you're confident you can fix it I'll reinstall, but only if you can assure me you can fix it.

You could do basic troubleshooting yourself like determining if the problem you have with Explorer.exe and Classic Shell is caused by the Start Menu or Explorer add-ons.

Try installing without the Start menu and only the Explorer add-ons. Does Explorer.exe load then? Then install the Start Menu component but before reboot, uncheck the option "Start automatically for this user" from Classic Start Menu settings -> General Behavior tab, reboot again.

_________________
Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and helped a little with Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.

I'll be honest, I wasn't going to do any more trouble shooting because Ivo already had me do some of his own...

But I went ahead and tried reinstalling in different ways after today being a monthly Patch Tuesday from Microsoft.

Didn't try as you described, but, it doesn't seem to make any difference what setup options I choose.

Narrowed the installation down all the way to just Start menu itself and the updater and Explorer will still have restart problems.

Wouldn't make a difference what I eliminated.

Thank you anyway for wanting to help me, I appreciate it!

Curious what Ivo finds out, if anything... maybe it was something Microsoft changed again like the last time.