Explorer.exe hangs at shutdown

Explorer works fine, but recently started hanging at shutdown, I get an explorer.exe fails to respond and I have to "end now". How can I correct this?
Running XP SP2 with all critical updates.

 

>> Explorer works fine, but recently started hanging at shutdown, I get an explorer.exe fails to respond and I have to "end now". How can I correct this? << keni254

If you have been regularly creating system restore points, the first thing to first try rolling back to your latest restore point [before the problem started to occur, I mean] and see if that fixes your problem.

Also, have you tried to run the System File Checker to solve this problem? The problem that you are having can be caused by a number of things; but is often fixed by running the System File Checker (Sfc.exe), which is a command-line utility used with the Windows File Protection (WFP) feature.

Here are the steps to run the System File Checker:
(1) Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to get your Windows Task manager up
(2) Click on the File Menu
(3) Click on New Task (Run.)
(4) Type in command prompt: sfc /scannow
[Make sure you leave a space between the c and the /]
(5) Click OK

After you "Click OK" the SFC scan will immediately begin to check all the current system files and restore the original copies. If you have never used the SFC; this process can take some time (usually 15-30 minutes) - but it is worth it - so be patient. Very Important: Make sure that you restart after the process is completed.

Note: You may be asked to insert the Windows CD as well during the restore; so you might want to keep it handy (SFC also keeps old copies of system files when updates are installed). These files are stored in: C:\Windows\system32\dllcache

Keep in mind that after SFC scan is done; and performs a system file restore - you should go directly to Windows Update you should install the newest service pack so you are running the most current, Microsoft approved system files

If you want to learn more about SFC and using scandisk; the following link leads to a Microsoft webpage MKB article which describes SFC: Microsoft Knowledge Base Article – 310747 Description of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 System File Checker (Sfc.exe)

Good Luck!

 

Tried SFC and it did not work. Something else I noticed is that I have multiple user profiles, and it is only my profile that hangs on shutdown. Any other suggestions?
I also recall looking at a piece of shareware several weeks ago to manage a CD collection that had an interface very similar to explorer. If I can find the regestry key for that software and delete it, will the original XP version reappear?

 

See if you find anything at Microsoft for your user profile.