How To Fix Explorer.Exe Class Not Registered Windows Error?

Windows 10 is known for its share of errors it can throw at the users. You may have noticed an error message displaying Class not registered. Read on to find about how to fix ‘explorer.exe class not registered’ error.

Why This Message Is Displayed?

Microsoft implemented the shared library concept in Windows using the Dynamic Link Library (DLL). DLLs can contain code, data, and resources in any combination. If the DLL file of a concerned application gets unregistered, the explorer.exe may show this error.

The ‘explorer.exe class not registered’ error message is displayed if:

• The system is infected with a virus
• Default program not associated with the file
• DLL files of the program are corrupted

The computer will get frozen if the ‘explorer.exe class not registered’ error occurs. Here are the solutions on how to fix this error.

How To Fix explorer.exe ‘Class Not Registered’ Error

# Method 1 (Task manager)

If you are facing issues with Edge, Cortana or Start menu, and this message shows up, you may try restarting the explorer process. The steps to do so are:

1. Open Task Manager. Press Win + X and select Task Manager.
2. In the Processes tab, find exe. Right click on it and select End task.

  3. Now go to File and select Run new task.

 4. In the run window that opens, type exe and press Enter.

This restarts the explorer. The error should be resolved now.

You can also try and register the .dll file associated with explorer.exe again using the command prompt.

# Method 2 (Using cmd)

Some users who had the same issue pointed out that registering the .dll file associated with explorer.exe fixed the ‘explorer.exe class not registered’ error. You can use CMD to fix this. I will now show the methods to fix the ‘class not registered’ error using cmd.

1. Open an elevated command prompt. Search cmd in the Start, select Run as Administrator from the right-click menu.
2. Type the following command to register the ExplorerFrame.dll and then press Enter:

regsvr32 ExplorerFrame.dll

3. Restart your PC.

Registering the ExplorerFrame.dll file again can fix the issue you were facing. If it remains the same as before, you may try to fix the DCOM errors.

# Method 3 (Fixing DCOM Errors)

Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) is used by Microsoft as a method to allow Local Applications to transmit and request data on a server. It is used by most Windows applications to connect to a network, perform silent authentications and get live data updates.

DCOM errors can sometimes push the ‘explorer.exe class not registered error ‘message. Fixing them may help you overcome the issue. I will show you the steps to fix DCOM errors.

1. Open Run by pressing Win + R and type dcomcnfg. Press Enter.

2. Select Component Services. Go to Computers and select My Computer.

3. Double click on DCOM Config.

4. Click ‘Yes’ on the various warning messages that show up next.

5. Restart your PC.

Doing this will fix the DCOM errors, which in turn should fix the ‘explorer.exe class not registered’ error.

If the problems persist, you may try to start the Internet Explorer ETW Collector Service.

# Method 4 (Start Internet Explorer ETW Collector Service)

You can try to start or re-start the Internet Explorer ETW service in order to fix the class not registered message. I will show you the easy steps to start the Internet Explorer ETW service.

1. Open Run by pressing Win + R. type msc and press Enter.
2. Locate the Internet Explorer ETW Collector Service.
3. Right click on the service and select Start/ Restart.
4. Restart your PC.

Restarting the ETW Collector Service should fix the error with ‘explorer.exe class not registered’.  If the issue remains, you may have to run a DISM scan to fix the issue.

# Method 5 (Running A DISM Scan)

A DISM scan can be used to find if some Windows functions are not working, and restore the corrupted files that may have been causing the issue.

Note: DISM scans use the Windows Update to replace the corrupted files. If your Update Client is already broken, you may use a Windows installation disc as a backup repair source. You have to use a different command which will be listed below.

I will now show you the easy steps to run a DISM scan.

1. Open an elevated command prompt. Search cmd in search and select Run as Administrator from the right-click menu.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

3. If you are using a repair disc or other removable media, you need to use a different command. The command for this is:

Note: you have to replace C:\RepairSource\Windows with the location path of your repair source. You can find this path in the address bar of the drive.

The scan will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. Do not interrupt the scan or close the Command Prompt Window as it may leave your device more broken than before.

Conclusion

‘Explorer.exe class not registered’ is a common problem that many users face. Now you know how to solve the issue using the 4 methods above. Comment below if you faced the same problem and found the solutions given above useful in solving the problem.