Error Fix: Explorer Class Not Registered in Windows 11/10

Have you experienced that when launching an application or a program in Windows, it fails getting started and an error message Class not registered pops up. It is a common issue that a wide range of users have encountered due to the corrupt system files associated with explorer.exe or the unregistered dll files in Windows. To get rid of this annoying trouble, here we have listed some easy solutions for you to fix the explorer.exe class not registered error.

1. Check the hard drive

Faulty hard drive can cause the error and you can firstly check if the hard drive works properly using Command Prompt.

Step 1: Type and search cmd in the search bar and select Run as administrator.

Step 2: In Command Prompt window, paste the command line wmic diskdrive get status and press Enter to execute it.

If everything is working correctly, you will see a "OK", otherwise, you will get "Caution", "Bad", or "Unknown".

2. Reset default apps

If class not registered error appears when opening a jpg file, then it can be fixed by resetting default apps.

Press Windows+I to open Settings and select Apps>Default apps. In the left pane, scroll down to find Reset to the Microsoft recommended defaults and then click on Reset.

Pictures will be opened with Windows Photo Viewer after that.

3. Set Microsoft Edge as default browser

If you saw the class not registered error while accessing browser, changing the default browser to Microsoft Edge works.

Step 1: Search for Control Panel in the search bar and open it.

Step 2: In Control Panel, choose View by Large icons. Then select Default Programs.

Step 3: Click on Set your default programs in the next window.

Step 4: Then the Settings will open and click on the browser. Then choose Microsoft Edge.

4. Re-register ExplorerFrame.dill file

Step 1: Type and search cmd in the search bar and select Run as administrator.

Step 2: Paste regsvr32 ExplorerFrame.dll in Command Prompt and hit Enter to launch it.

5. Use Component Services

Step 1: Press Windows+R to open run command. Type dcomcnfg in the open box and click OK to open Component Services.

Step 2: Expand Component Services and select Computers>My computer. Double-click on DCOM Config.

Step 3: You will get some warning messages, click Yes and close Component Services. Then restart your PC.

6. Restart Internet Explorer ETW Collector Service

This solution only applies for the users who still use Internet Explorer and are having trouble with their browser.

Step 1: Press Windows+R to open run command. Type services.msc in the open box click OK to open Services.

Step 2: Locate Internet Explorer ETW Collector Service, right-click on it and choose Start.

Step 3: Close Services window and press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to start Task Manager.

Step 4: Choose Details tab, spot explorer.exe and right-click on it. Then select End Task.

Step 5: Choose File tab, click on it and select Run new task.

Step 6: Type in explorer.exe in Create new task window and click OK.