Many Windows users often encounter an error message “explorer.exe Class not registered” while trying to launch a program or app in Windows 10. It’s a common error but very annoying as it prevents them from using the app. The issue usually occurs for an unregistered DLL file in the program or app that may have got corrupted or removed.
If you’re also getting ‘Class not registered’, don’t worry because you can easily repair the error by yourself. This article will discuss what causes the error and how you can fix it.
What is explorer.exe class not registered?
The Explorer.exe Class not registered error can be caused by various elements like corrupted files or a faulty hard drive. You could replace the hard drive with a new one, which is 7200 RPM.
According to the error message, the appearance of this issue implies the system files related to explorer.exe have got corrupted or gone missing. In order to correct this error appropriately, you must understand the purpose and importance of DLL files in Windows.
The Dynamic Link Library (DLL) files contain instructions that are required for the proper functioning of all Windows programs. When you run a program on Windows OS, most of that program’s functionality is provided by DLLs.
These files are exceptionally helpful for users as they help develop modular programs, run on less memory and finish their function without being loaded altogether. So, the OS and programs can load faster, run faster and require less disk place on the computer.
When you launch an application, the explorer.exe file attempts to load that by accessing its DLS files. But, if the DLL files of that application have been outdated, corrupted or removed for some reason, Windows gives you the ‘Class not registered’ error. That’s why the software that’s depended on the DLL files for the proper operation fails to load and stops working.
There might be another reason behind this issue and that is the antivirus software installed on your computer. If the software becomes corrupted, it deletes some antivirus files along with system files leading to the error.
Since there’s no alternative to DLL, the only way out is to repair those corrupted files. By following the below-mentioned methods, you can quickly solve the error in no time.
How to fix explorer exe class not registered error?
There are a few ways to fix the explorer exe class not registered error on a Windows 10 PC. Let’s check them out.
Fix 1. Restart Windows Explorer
If you’re receiving the ‘Class not registered’ error, an easy solution you can try is to restart Windows Explorer through Task Manager.
1. Right-click on the Windows taskbar and select Task Manager from the menu.
2. Select the Processes tab in the Task Manager screen and scroll through the list to find Windows Explorer. Select it and click Restart at the below right corner.
3. After that, click on the Close button to close the Task Manager.
Fix 2. Run SFC and DISM Tool
Since corrupted or missing system files can be the reasons for Windows ‘class not registered’ error, the easiest way to repair and restore those files is through System File Checker (SFC).
Follow the instructions below:
1. Type cmd in the Windows Search box.
2. Select Run as administrator to open Command Prompt as an admin.
3. Click Yes to confirm.
4. Type the following command and hit enter:
SFC/scannow
5. Wait for your Windows 10 OS to complete the scan and restart.
If this doesn’t help, try running the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool by following:
1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type the following command and hit enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
3. When the scanning is done, enter the following command:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Fix 3. Check Hard Drive
The error can occur if you’re using a defective hard drive. You can check whether the hard drive is functioning properly by using the Windows built-in tool called WMIC in Command Prompt. WMIC tool is a straightforward way to verify the health of the hard drive. This tool works with Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) managed system.
Here is the process to use the WMIC tool in Command Prompt to manually check the hard drive:
1. Type cmd in the Windows Search box, click on Run as administrator and open Command Prompt.
2. Type the command wmic diskdrive get status in the Command Prompt and hit enter.
3. If you see the ok status for all hard drives, then everything is working fine.
4. If you see “Bad”, “Caution” or “Unknown”, there’s some problem with the hard drive. In that case, you may need to replace the hard drive.
Fix 4. Restart ETW Collector Service for Internet Explorer
In case you’re using Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge, check for its ETW Collector Service. When running, the service collects ETW events in real-time and processes them. By enabling ETW Collector Service, you may be able to solve the “Class not registered” error.
To do this, follow these steps:
1. Press Windows key+R to open Run.
2. Type services.msc in the Run dialogue box and click Ok.
3. A list of services will show up on the screen. Find and right-click on Internet Explorer ETW Collector Service and click Start from the menu.
4. After the service starts, exit the Service window.
Fix 5. Disable iCloud
To disable iCloud from Task Manager,
1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del from the keyboard and select Task Manager.
2. On the Task Manager window, locate iCloud.
3. Select it and click End Task at the lower right corner.
4. Now, go to the Startup tab.
5. Find iCloud, right-click on it and select Disable.
Fix 6. Reset Default Apps
If you’re receiving the message “Class not registered” while trying to open a .jpf image file, reset the default apps and check if that resolves the issue.
- Click Start> Settings> Apps> Default Apps.
- Scroll down to the page and click Reset to reset the device’s default apps.
All selections will now go back to their original deafult system apps settings. Though you can change them anytime.
Fix 7. Try Component Servies
Component Services in Windows provides a run-time infrastructure for deploying, developing and managing high performance of applications. So, running Component Services may help you solve the error.
1. Press Windows key+R to open Run.
2. Enter dcomcnfg and click Ok to open the Component Services window.
3. Expand the folder with the same name by double-clicking it.
4. Select Computers> My Computer and double-click DCOM Config.
5. You’ll receive some warning messages, so keep confirming them by selecting Yes.
6. Now exit the window and restart your PC. The error must stop popping up.
Fix 8. Switch to Another Default Browser
It’s crucial to set a default browser so that when you click a link, it opens on the browser directly. You can easily set Chrome, Firefox, Edge or others as your default browser on the PC. here’s how to do it on Windows 10:
- Open Start and choose Settings > Apps.
- Select Default Apps from the left panel.
- Under the Web Browser category, select a browser of your choice, say Mozilla Firefox.
Check if the error still appears.
Fix 9. Re-register ExplorerFrame.dll File
Assume that you’re experiencing the “Class not registered” error when you’re active on Internet Explorer. To fix the error, try re-registering the ExplorerFrame.dll file from Command Prompt.
1. Open Command Prompt using the Windows Search box. Make sure to select Run as administrator before opening it.
2. On the Command Prompt screen, type the following command and press enter:
Regsvr32 ExplorerFrame.dll
Now launch Internet Explorer and see if you still get the error.
Fix 10. Change Default Image Viewer to Microsoft Photos
It’s possible that you may get a “Class not registered” error while trying to open a .jpg file. If that happens, you may require to change your default image viewer to Microsoft photos.
1. Right-click on any picture on the computer to open the options.
2. Select Open with and click Choose another app.
3. Choose Microsoft Photos from the list. In case you want to use this option from now on, click “Always use this app to open .jpg files”.
4. Hit Ok to save the changes.
If you don’t wish to make any changes to the registry, you can download a free picture-viewing application.
Fix 11. Reset Windows 10 OS
If any fixes discussed above haven’t solved the error on your Windows 10, you may need to reset the operating system. Resetting Windows means reinstalling all the system files and that can be able to resolve the class not registered error.
Follow these steps to reset Windows 10:
1. Go to Start> Settings.
2. Select Update & Security.
3. Navigate to the Recovery option from the left panel.
4. Under Reset this PC, click the Get started button.
Choose the Keep my files option so your personal files won’t get deleted after resetting.
Click the Reset option.
Wait for Windows to prepare for the reset. Follow the on-screen instructions and complete the reset process.
After this is done, check your system and the error should be fixed.
That’s all. The “Explorer.exe class not registered” error creates troubles on your computer more often. Hopefully, you can now be able to fix the error by applying the above-mentioned solutions. So, give them a try.