Knowledge Base

Windows Explorer closes and restarts on systems that are running OneCare Family Safety

Article ID: 946758

Article Last Modified on 12/21/2007

APPLIES TO

Windows Live OneCare Family Safety

Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure that you back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322756 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista

SYMPTOMS

Windows Explorer closes and restarts on systems that are running Windows Live OneCare Family Safety. Additionally, Windows may stop responding. This problem occurs when Windows Explorer starts or when you use the program.

CAUSE

On some Windows Vista or Windows XP SP2 configurations, the Family Safety Browser Helper Object causes an access violation in Windows Explorer. When Family Safety Browser Helper Object is being unloaded from Windows Explorer, the object releases a thread local storage (TLS) slot that it does not own.

RESOLUTION

A Hotfix that resolves this problem is expected in January 2008. Currently, you can use one of the following three options to resolve this problem.

Option 1: Download a file to modify the registry

Download and run a file to modify the registry. To do this follow these steps.

Note Your use of this software is subject to the Microsoft Service Agreement http://help.live.com/help.aspx?project=tou&mkt=en-us that you agreed to with your Windows Live ID account. In addition, by downloading and using this software, you agree that the software is provided ”as-is, with all faults" and "as available." We give no express warranties, guarantees, or conditions. We exclude any implied warranties, including those of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, workmanlike effort, and non-infringement. You agree to hold us harmless for any damages, including damage to your machines, for your download and use of this software.

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

Visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/c/8/3/c83b06ac-17bc-4677-9f9c-5a3701bc61b2/MSKB946758.exe
Download the MSKB946758.exe file. Save the file to the desktop.
Double-click the MSKB946758.exe file, accept the Microsoft Software License Terms, and then unzip the file to the desktop.
Right-click the "Familysafety critical update_explorer crash.reg" file, select Open with, and then click Registry Editor. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation , type the password, or click Continue.
When you will receive a message that asks whether you are sure that you want to add the information to the registry, click Yes.

Option 2: Manually modify the registry

Modify the registry yourself so that the browser helper object will not be loaded by Explorer.exe. To do this, follow these steps.

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

Click Start , type regedit in the Search box, and then press ENTER. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation , type the password, or click Allow.
Locate and then click the following registry subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{4f3ed5cd-0726-42a9-87f5-d13f3d2976ac}
In the left pane, right click {4f3ed5cd-0726-42a9-87f5-d13f3d2976ac}, click New, and then click Dword (32 bit) value.
Rename the value to NoExplorer, and then set the value to 1.
Close Registry Editor, and then start the computer.

Option 3: Uninstall the software

Uninstall Windows Live OneCare Family Safety.

For more information about how to uninstall Windows Live Services such as Family Safety, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

938275 How to remove and reinstall Windows Live Services

Keywords: kbprb KB946758

Microsoft KB Archive/946758

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