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FIX: Cannot Start Windows Explorer Using the Start Menu

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Symptoms

When you click Start, point to Programs, and then click Windows Explorer or Windows NT Explorer, you may receive the following prompt:

The item "Explorer.scf" that this shortcut refers to has been changed or moved. The nearset match based on size, date, and type is <file name>. Do you want this shortcut to point to this item?

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Cause

This behavior can occur if you remove the Windows Desktop Update component and click No when you are prompted to remove the personalized settings for Windows Explorer.

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Resolution

To resolve this behavior, change the shortcut to Windows Explorer or Windows NT Explorer so that it points to the Explorer.exe file. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Right-click Start, and then click Open.
  2. Double-click Programs.
  3. Right-click Windows Explorer or Windows NT Explorer, click Properties, and then click the Shortcut tab.
  4. In the Target box, rename explorer.scf to explorer.exe (without quotation marks), and then click OK.

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More information

The option to remove personalized settings for Windows Explorer is intended for people who use roaming profiles. If you remove the Windows Desktop Update component and click No when you are prompted to remove your personalized settings, the Windows Explorer or Windows NT Explorer shortcut still points to the Explorer.scf file even though it has been removed from your hard disk.

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Properties

Retired KB Content Disclaimer
This article was written about products for which Microsoft no longer offers support. Therefore, this article is offered "as is" and will no longer be updated.

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Keywords: kbbug, kbenv, kbfix, kbinterop, kbsbk, KB175627

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Article Info
Article ID : 175627
Revision : 4
Created on : 3/16/2005
Published on : 3/16/2005
Exists online : False
Views : 511