How to Fix Shell32.dll Error

Shell32.dll is a Windows library file that helps maintain system stability in general. It is also essential for opening web pages as well as creating and opening folders in Windows Explorer.

Shell32.dll comprises essential Windows shell API functions that both Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer, being tightly linked to Internet Explorer use.

Because this DLL is a very important part of a Windows system, shell32 errors might cause boot problems for your computer. You may also encounter some minor issues (as compared to the computer not booting at all) such as Internet Explorer not opening or failure in case of a shell32 error.

There are two main kinds of shell 32 errors:

Internet Explorer Error Messages

Whenever you try to launch Internet Explorer, you may get an error message saying that IE has performed an illegal operation and needs to be closed. Below is an actual example:

“This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.”

And, when you click Details, you find another message:

“IEXPLORE caused an invalid page fault in shell32.dll.”

Finally, when you click Close you get another message saying that:

“There was an internal error and one of the windows you were using will be closed.”

This error occurs because of the Search Bar entry in the registry being incomplete. In such a case, it is better that you remove the Search Bar’s registry entry.

For this, open Registry Editor by running the Regedit command.

In the Registry Editor window, first make a backup using the Export command in the File menu of the Registry Editor tool. Save the backup in an easily accessible location.

Next, navigate to the following registry entry:

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain

Here, delete the Search Bar value from the right pane. Your problem should now be resolved.

Windows Explorer Error Messages

Sometimes, when you create a folder and try to open it, you see an error message like below:

“EXPLORER caused an invalid page fault in module SHELL32.DLL at <memory_add>”

This happens due to incorrect registry entries in some specific keys. Open the registry via Regedit. Make a backup using the Export command in File menu. Navigate to the following keys (one by one) and delete them:

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerStreamMRU

Whenever you fiddle with the registry, make it a point to make appropriate backups of the registry entries as this can save you a lot of trouble later if something goes wrong.

The shell32 dll error occurs due to faulty registry entries linked with Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer. This just happens over time and is a very natural phenomenon. However, these errors that creep into your registry can be harmful to the general well-being of your computer and cause problems, make your computer slower, etc.

It is therefore essential that you keep your registry clean using a good registry cleaner. One good cleaner and PC optimizer is SpeedyPC. SpeedyPC comprises a good registry cleaner that helps fix all registry and other PC related errors and ensure you a healthy, error-free and high- speed computer.

SpeedyPC!