Windows Explorer closes and restarts on systems that run OneCare Family Safety

Article ID: 946758 - View products that this article applies to.

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

(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/ )

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

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SYMPTOMS

This article discusses that Windows Explorer crashes on a Windows Vista-based computer or on a Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)-based computer that runs Windows Live Family Safety. This problem occurs when you run or start Windows Explorer. This problem causes Windows Explorer to crash and then restart.

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CAUSE

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

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RESOLUTION

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.

A hotfix that resolves this problem is expected in January 2008.

Currently, you can use one of the following 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

(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.

Visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/c/8/3/c83b06ac-17bc-4677-9f9c-5a3701bc61b2/MSKB946758.exe
(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
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, 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

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.

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

Click Start
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, type regedit in the Search box, and then press ENTER. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation
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, 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 navigation pane, right-click {4f3ed5cd-0726-42a9-87f5-d13f3d2976ac}, click New, and then click Dword (32 bit) value.
Change 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 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

(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/938275/ )

How to remove and reinstall Windows Live Services

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