Access Violation Error Message in Explorer.exe After You Install Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 (301961)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP2
This article was previously published under Q301961
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you restart your computer after you install Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 (SP2), you may receive an access violation error message in Explorer.exe.

CAUSE

This problem can occur when the Application Compatibility Updates have been installed before you install Windows 2000 SP2. The shim engine (Shim.dll) causes Explorer.exe to generate an access violation error message.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows 2000. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

260910 How to Obtain the Latest Windows 2000 Service Pack

WORKAROUND

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To work around this problem, delete the following registry key, and then restart your computer:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\AppCompatibility\explorer.exe

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about how to install Windows 2000 and Windows 2000 hotfixes at the same time, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

249149 Installing Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows 2000 Hotfixes

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/14/2003
Keywords:kbenv kberrmsg kbfix kbprb kbWin2000PreSP3Fix KB301961
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