Error message when you log on to Windows Vista: "Windows Explorer has stopped working"

How to determine whether you have Digital Vault installed

To determine whether you have Digital Vault installed, follow these steps:

1. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL.
2. Click Start Task Manager.
3. In Task Manager, click the Application tab, and then click New Task.
4. In the Create New Task dialog box, type cmd, and then click OK.
   
5. At the command prompt, type dir "Program Files", and then press ENTER.

If a Digital Vault folder appears in the output of the command in step 5, you may have to update the program to a newer version.

How to update Digital Vault

Digital Vault version 5.1.5.0 and earlier versions are incompatible with Vista. These versions cause Windows Explorer to crash. Version 5.1.5.1 is compatible with Vista. To update Digital Vault to version 5.1.5.1, follow these steps.

Note Windows Explorer may continue to crash during this process.

1. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL, and then click Start Task Manager.
2. In Task Manager, click the Application tab, and then click New Task.
3. In the Create New Task dialog box, type iexplore.exe and then click OK.
4. In Internet Explorer, visit the following Migo Software Web site:
   http://www.dtransfer.com/support/support/portal/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=38&nav=0,4
5. Follow the instructions on the Web site to install the update.
6. Restart the computer.

How to uninstall Digital Vault

1. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL, and then click Start Task Manager.
2. In Task Manager, click the Application tab, and then click New Task.
3. Click Browse, and then open the Digital Vault folder.
   
   By default, the path of this folder is C:\Program Files\Stompsoft\Digital Vault.
4. Right-click DigitalVault, and then click Open.
5. Click OK to start Digital Vault, and then type your Digital Vault password.
6. Before you uninstall Digital Vault, back up your encrypted files. To do this, follow these steps:
   
   1. In Digital Vault, click Open an Existing Vault.
   2. Click the vault to back up.
   3. Click the files to back up, and then click Unprotect.
   4. Exit Digital Vault. If you are prompted to protect the files before you exit, click No.
      
      Note If you do not click No, the files will not be available.
7. Click Options and Settings, click Uninstall Program, and then click Yes.
8. Open the Digital Vault folder.
9. Click the INSTALL file, and then click Open.
10. Click Automatic, click Next, and then click Finish.

What to do if you have spyware or a virus on the computer

If you have spyware or a virus on the computer, scan the system by using an antispyware program such as Windows Defender or Microsoft Security Essentials. If you decide to use Windows Defender, follow these steps:

1. Restart the computer.
2. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL, and then click Start Task Manager.
3. In Task Manager, click the Application tab, and then click New Task.
4. In the Create New Task dialog box, type %programfiles%\windows defender\msascui.exe, and then click OK.
   
   Windows Defender starts.
5. On the Scan drop-down menu, click Full Scan.
   
6. Remove any virus and any spyware that is detected.

Then, use System Restore to return the computer to a known good restore point. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, type System Restore in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
   
   If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
2. Click Choose a different restore point, and then click Next.
3. Click a date on which the issue did not occur.
4. Click Next.
5. Click Finish.
6. Restart the computer.

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.