Fix Windows 8 (8.1) Explorer.exe Blank Message on Startup

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Nobody wants to wake up to a horrifying scene or a daunting message. Then why should your computer be different?

Prior to proceeding this piece for the solution, let be advised to first Scan and Fix your system’s concealed disorders which most probably is eliciting the inconsistencies:



Among the more annoying errors now transforming as a serious concern to Windows 8 (8.1) users is the Explorer.EXE message. This problem pops up at computer startup, exhibiting a rather “silent” display of only a yellow warning sign and an OK button wrapped in an empty dialog box. While it is easy to win the battle by acknowledging the button and removing the message, winning the whole war requires further scrutiny. Fortunately, owing to the helpful responses from Microsoft, fixing this dilemma is quite straightforward. Read this troubleshooting guide to eradicate Explorer.EXE error once-and-for-all, and bolster your sovereignty over your dear system.

Modify “Load” Registry Key

This problem is most likely linked to an incorrect data stored in the key called “Load”. Load is a holder where some programs put their startup commands to initiate their beginning processes. Every time your system boots, these instructions are run and operations are performed accordingly.

Incorrect instructions loaded in this key can lead to irrational behaviors observed during computer boot. This may be caused by a malicious software (Virus or Trojans), or due to a corrupt startup program. Nonetheless, this invalid String needs to be deleted, and the horrible consequences should be erased.

This can be done via regedit, illustrated below:

  • Open Run box by pressing Windows + R keys
  • Type regedit and press Enter
  • In the Registry Editor box
  • Expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER from the left hive
  • Expand Software
  • Expand Microsoft
  • Expand Windows NT
  • Expand CurrentVersion
  • Highlight Windows
  • Click Edit menu and select Permissions
  • Ensure Full Control to the current user
  • From the values displayed in the right pane, double-click Load
  • Erase data under Value data
  • Click OK
  • Reboot your system to apply the changes

This method is the best fix to your startup fault. However, if your case is still unresolved, continue with the following resolutions.

Disable Startup Programs

As formerly stated, Explorer error can be caused by an error-inflicted application running at Windows startup. To check whether this is the case, you need to disable all programs from the startup menu and see if the problem repeats. This is demonstrated below:

  • Open Run (Windows + R keys) box and go to msconfig
  • Enable Selective startup
  • Uncheck Load startup items
  • Click OK
  • Reboot your system

If you are still presented by the warning sign, proceed to the next method. However, if disabling entities removed your concern, continue with the following steps and narrow down your problematic item appropriately:

  • Open Task Manager by hitting Windows + SHIFT + ESC keys
  • Go to Startup tab
  • Enable one application
  • Restart your system
  • If the error does not appear, Enable the next item
  • Repeat the process till you identify the menace

You can either keep the program disabled or visit the developer’s website to report the issue and seek other solutions to heal the situation.

Scan Your PC

Editing startup instructions is a major trait of malicious software. Regardless of your success with the previous methods, scan your PC thoroughly to remove all kinds of computer viruses and uninvited guests from the machine. Also, ensure that your security software is fully up to date with the latest advancements to counter new releases of mischievous elements effectively. This can be checked by either visiting the developer’s official webpage, or performing a Windows Update. The latter is shown here:

  • Open Start Menu  by using Windows + W keys
  • Type windows update
  • Hit Enter
  • Click Check for updates now button and follow the on-screen instructions

Perform the resolutions described in this article to work around your predicament. They are most likely to ease your trouble. However, if none of the above methods obliterated your horrendous dialog box, choose the PC Refresh option. This will reinstall Windows, but your personal settings and apps will remain intact. Rest assured, this method will remove all potential causes to your error and give you a relatively cleaner Windows.

To do a PC Refresh, here are the steps:

  • Go to Charms bar by pressing Windows + C keys
  • Select Settings
  • Click Change PC settings
  • Select General from the left pane
  • Scroll down to Refresh your PC without affecting your files
  • Click the Get started button

Related Article:

Fix Apps Not Connecting To Internet – Windows 8 (8.1)

Posted in: How To, Windows 8, Windows 8.1

37 Thoughts on “Fix Windows 8 (8.1) Explorer.exe Blank Message on Startup”

  1. Pratik Thapa on April 20, 2014 at 8:13 am said:

    Thank you Microsoft Team. I was encountering with this problem in Windows 8 for the past few months. I discussed with many of my friends but none of them could provide the right solution. All of your steps were clear and correct as well as effective. Now the problem is resolved. Thank you.

    Reply↓
  2. Saksham on May 5, 2014 at 3:00 pm said:

    my explorer.exe crashes every time at startup . i have windows 8.1 . and even my task manager does not work as there is no sign to open it. i just get a blank black screen pressing ctrl+alt+del shows a screen but it does not have option to open task manager. can anybdy help.

    Reply↓
  3. rittik on March 1, 2015 at 3:00 am said:

    Thanks Microsoft tondo this thanks!!!!!

    Reply↓
  4. Michael Crow on May 23, 2015 at 3:49 pm said:

    Hi, In the permission’s tab it won’t let me click on full access I tried clicking on the add box at the top and the advanced box at the bottom but can’t seem to get the permission, can you help plz

    Reply↓
  5. Usama on May 23, 2015 at 3:49 pm said:

    Whenever i start my computer after log on the screen become fully blank in case i start explorer exe by taskmgr it become correct but whenever i start my pc i must manually start explorer.exe how to fix plzz tell me
    i am v.v.v.v.v.v.very sorry for my bad english

    Reply↓
  6. Gopalakrishnan Menon on May 30, 2015 at 10:46 am said:

    With reference to the “Explorer.EXE” error at start up on Windows 8.1, “Modify” the “Load” is best suited.
    There are 2 problems to be looked into. One: Permissions. Set the permission to everyone and try (later change) Two: The regedit.exe Instead of this use regedit32 from system32 folder. Some exe file might be loading at start up. Delete all Shutdown and Start. Everything will be fine. “Explorer.EXE” gone with the winds!

    Reply↓
  7. mam on June 6, 2015 at 9:56 pm said:

    My problem is resolved. Thank you.

    Reply↓
  8. Rajkumar Giri on June 12, 2015 at 9:25 pm said:

    I tried to delete the ‘Load’ but it does not be deleted and display a new window named ‘Error Deleting Values’. which displays ”Unable to Delete all Specified Values”.

    Get the proper solution to fix the problem.

    Reply↓
  9. Aqeel on June 13, 2015 at 11:43 am said:

    thanks my issue is solved

    Reply↓
  10. Kennjr2009 on June 16, 2015 at 1:55 pm said:

    1st method worked perfectly for me. Thanks a lot.

    Reply↓
  11. Rishmaya Mishra on June 20, 2015 at 7:19 am said:

    Thank you very much “Next Big Windows Solution Centre”. I faced the problem which is irritating, asked the future software engineers but they couldn’t fix it. Thank you all for helping me out. U R Rockzzzz

    Reply↓
  12. VRM on July 30, 2015 at 1:00 pm said:

    Thank you my problem of “Explorer.EXE” error at start up on Windows 8.1, is solved by steps given in modify load registry key. one comment, permissions are available in edit menu instead of view menu.

    Reply↓
  13. TEJESH on September 1, 2015 at 6:59 pm said:

    My problem has been solved.
    THANNNNNNNNNNNNKS……!

    Reply↓
  14. karuna khalasi on September 25, 2015 at 5:57 pm said:

    Thanks….my issue resolved in my first try and with first method…

    Reply↓
  15. zohaib khan on December 4, 2015 at 9:20 pm said:

    how to highlight windows as you said into your first method? i didn’t found this option

    Reply↓
  16. Mir faisal on December 19, 2015 at 6:50 am said:

    Thnxx, problem solved….

    Reply↓
  17. Doctor x on January 26, 2016 at 10:42 pm said:

    Thanx guys the problem is resolved the solution was awesome

    Reply↓
  18. ntombi on March 6, 2016 at 5:46 am said:

    Thanks Microsoft…problem resolved, I was worried

    Reply↓
  19. aniruddha deshpande on March 9, 2016 at 12:29 pm said:

    Thanks Dear …Problem of Explorer.exe was solved..

    Reply↓
  20. Diganta on May 5, 2016 at 7:18 am said:

    thanks uploader…..it is solved

    Reply↓
  21. Rizki on May 24, 2016 at 6:25 am said:

    thanks.. this is work (y)

    Reply↓
  22. MANISH on June 7, 2016 at 6:18 am said:

    THANKS ! optimizemswindows:)

    Reply↓
  23. Gideon on June 15, 2016 at 6:38 am said:

    Thaaaanks guys.. it worked in the first step

    Reply↓
  24. dea on June 18, 2016 at 9:10 am said:

    Thank you! Problem solved?

    Reply↓
  25. akeeb wasiu on October 8, 2016 at 10:44 am said:

    thank you so much, it really worked for me.

    Reply↓
  26. Sreerag RC on November 24, 2016 at 5:24 pm said:

    Thank you very much. My problem solved by modifying registry key.

    Reply↓
  27. Bharath on January 15, 2017 at 6:34 am said:

    Thank you.. the first method itself worked out for my win 8.1

    Reply↓
  28. samuel on February 5, 2017 at 10:08 am said:

    thanks it work for system, really greatfully

    Reply↓
  29. Kushal on March 30, 2017 at 4:33 pm said:

    Hey please help, when I try to delete content inside value data inside load in regedit, a pop up appers “cannot edit Load: Error writting tue values new contents.”

    Reply↓
  30. Mohammad Kamran Umair on July 1, 2017 at 12:18 pm said:

    hey team actually my hkey current user is not showing plzz give me some other advice

    Reply↓
  31. Yekta on April 6, 2020 at 8:06 am said:

    Thank you very much
    Your first solution worked!I wish I found your website sooner!

    Reply↓

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