After installing Security Update KB2691442 causes Windows Explorer error— folders do not open
I am running Windows 7 Professional 64-bit with Service Pack 1. Yesterday, Windows Update provided a list of 12 important updates to install. After I installed the updates and the computer restarted, Windows Explorer would not open Folders. I could open Windows Explorer and I could select Libraries and Favorites from the Navigation Pane. But in the main browser content, once I tried to open a Folder, I received the following error: <"This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Please install a program or, if one is already installed, create an association in the Default Programs control panel."> (side note: I could open some Folders by right-clicking and selecting to "Open in New Window". Once I was in the new window, the problem was the same, folders would not open.) I searched for a solution based on this error message and found a forum recommending that I Merge a registry file that would fix this file association issue. That solution did not work. This solution was offered by a Moderator on Microsoft's forum "Answers" site, but after the solution did not work I felt weary of adjusting my registry with files found online (I did not verify that it was a Moderator offering the solution before I went ahead the first time.). (side note: Changing Windows Default Programs will not help because Folders are not an available option in those interfaces.) I Restored Windows to the state before I installed these updates. Windows Explorer resumed normal function. I then went through and installed updates 1 at a time until I found the update causing the issue. It was the update KB2691442. Here is a link to the information from Microsoft about this update: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/bulletin/ms12-048 I was able to install 11 of the original 12 Important Updates without any issue. Every time that I reattempted to install this Update (KB2691442), I experienced the same problem again, and I had to Restore Windows to a state before I installed this update for Windows Explorer to work properly. I have temporarily hidden this update and set it to not auto-install, but I do not want to ignore it because it is a Security issue. Please help!
July 12th, 2012 10:59am

Hi, You had restore the system to the state before, you could have a full backup first and then try to update this patch manually. Meanwhile, here is one discussion can be referred to. KB2691442 Fails To Install on Windows 7 SP1, 64-bit, due to error code 80070057 (July 13th, 2012) http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_update/kb2691442-fails-to-install-on-windows-7-sp1-64-bit/3d93b34b-cb28-4b4e-becf-2070518ecb27Ivan-Liu TechNet Community Support
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July 16th, 2012 3:01am

Same problem here on Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise SP1 with KB2691442. Can not double click a folder in the main browser content after installing this patch -> "This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Please install a program or, if one is already installed, create an association in the Default Programs control panel." We temporarily do not install this update but are not happy with this solution, please help Microsoft!
July 17th, 2012 4:27am

Hi Linny1175, Please create another thread and post your issue in the forum. And you'd better redirect to Windows Server forum.Ivan-Liu TechNet Community Support
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July 17th, 2012 4:37am

I have had the EXACT same experience with this update.
July 20th, 2012 8:04pm

We have the exact same problem. Has MS come up with a solution for this yet?
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July 22nd, 2012 8:37pm

We had disabled the Windows Libraries by deleting the following keys: hklm\software\classes\clsid\{c51b83e5-9edd-4250-b45a-da672ee3c70e} hklm\software\classes\clsid\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5} hklm\software\Wow6432Node\classes\clsid\{c51b83e5-9edd-4250-b45a-da672ee3c70e} hklm\software\Wow6432Node\classes\clsid\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5} When you install the patch KB2691442, he will create does keys again (with no values). Solution: Delete does keys again en reboot you machine (or restore youre libraries)
July 23rd, 2012 5:32am

I agree with Bertman80 We have a customer who insisted that we remove the following reg keys from the build [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{2112AB0A-C86A-4ffe-A368-0DE96E47012E}] (Music Library) [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{491E922F-5643-4af4-A7EB-4E7A138D8174}] (Video Library) [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{7b0db17d-9cd2-4a93-9733-46cc89022e7c}] (Documents Library) [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{A302545D-DEFF-464b-ABE8-61C8648D939B}] (User Libraries Folder) [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{A990AE9F-A03B-4e80-94BC-9912D7504104}] (Pictures Library) [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}] [-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}] [-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}] With these keys disabled and either Windows 7 pre/post SP1 installed with this (MS12-048 (KB2691442)) patch installed fails with the error described above Now to fix the AWS Deployment Server and inform the customer they can't do this and fix a couple of hundred machines 8-)
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August 13th, 2012 7:02am

We resolved the issue on Windows Server 2008. After the installation of patch KB2691442 we discovered a backup.shell key below the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory key. There was also the standard shell key. We removed the shell key and renamed the backup.shell to shell. After that double clicking a folder in Windows Explorer works again.
August 24th, 2012 1:58am

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