Mar 23 2010
Windows Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close!
The problem: Each time I try to open a video file, I get the infamous message “windows explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close”.
The solution: Uninstall the Xvid Codec via Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs, and then install the newest version of the Xvid Codec.
There are all kinds of suggestions out there for fixing this problem and they all sound like way too much work, ie: scan the registry and reinstall certain files, go into Safe Mode and do blah blah blah, reinstall Windows, etc. Removing and reinstalling the Xvid Codec worked, and it was easy!
This is where I found the answer: http://www.xvidmovies.com/faq/#3.4