Zombie shell extenstion

cbreemer · Feb 11, 2024

It looks like I am seeing a zombie shell extension in ShellExView. I just uninstalled Foxit Pdf Reader, and still ShellExView shows its extension. When I click on Properties, ShellExView correctly informs me that the associated file is no longer there. Ah, the vagaries of Windows... What's going on here ? How can I get rid of that undead extension ? I considered asking on a Foxit forum, but they want me to create an account which I refuse to do.

Wisewiz · Feb 11, 2024

Where do you see this undead extension? What window or menu?

Wisewiz · Feb 11, 2024

I mean other than in ShellExView, ofc. A screenshot might be helpful, too.

cbreemer · Feb 11, 2024

Wisewiz said:
I mean other than in ShellExView, ofc.

I don't see it anywhere else. But I am chasing an elusive crash that is allegedly caused by some shell extension so I don't like seeing unexplained stuff like this. Normally uninstalling software gets rid of the handlers too, but this seems to be the exception.

Wisewiz · Feb 11, 2024

Did you unistall it with Revo (or similar app), or with just Windows > Settings > Installed > uninstall?

cbreemer · Feb 11, 2024

Wisewiz said:
Did you unistall it with Revo (or similar app), or with just Windows > Settings > Installed > uninstall?

Just the default Windows app. But I've heard good things about Revo so I'll try that out. Thanks for the tip !

Wisewiz · Feb 11, 2024

You might do well to re-install Foxit, open it once or twice, and then uninstall it with Revo (Free), being sure to Scan for leftovers and remove all.

cbreemer · Feb 11, 2024

Wisewiz said:
You might do well to re-install Foxit, open it once or twice, and then uninstall it with Revo (Free), being sure to Scan for leftovers and remove all.

Yes that was more or less the plan. Will keep you posted.

Wisewiz · Feb 11, 2024

In Revo, if you look for the options, after you select the app and click Uninstall, you'll find the options about scanning and removing all leftovers.

cbreemer · Feb 11, 2024

Wisewiz said:
In Revo, if you look for the options, after you select the app and click Uninstall, you'll find the options about scanning and removing all leftovers.

Great, thanks again !

glasskuter · Feb 11, 2024

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Foxit_ConvertToPDF_Reader

Wisewiz · Feb 11, 2024

glasskuter said:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Foxit_ConvertToPDF_Reader

Might be, but I did an extensive set of registry searches with Foxit installed on one of my machines, and zilch of interest came up.

Wisewiz · Feb 11, 2024

I started with searching for FoxitPreviewhost.exe, and got nothing. I think he turned on a setting inside Foxit, and that set the shell thing. Revo should get it, but who knows?

RJARRRPCGP · Feb 11, 2024

Windows said that the Foxit executable doesn't exist in the first screenshot.

cbreemer · Feb 12, 2024

glasskuter said:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Foxit_ConvertToPDF_Reader

Would it be as simple as removing this key ? I vaguely though in this direction, but while I am not averse to some registry tweaking, anything with classes scares me.

glasskuter · Feb 12, 2024

Does the key exist in your system? Anytime one deletes or changes a key in the registry, they should first export the key.
Select the key>file>export>choose where to save it>OK
It saves it as a .reg file.
The key can always be imported back into the registry by double clicking on the file.

You can also try CCleaner. It is helpful in removing some context menu entries without you having to use registry. They are reversible within cCleaner. See screenshot.

cbreemer · Feb 12, 2024

glasskuter said:
Does the key exist in your system? Anytime one deletes or changes a key in the registry, they should first export the key.
Select the key>file>export>choose where to save it>OK
It saves it as a .reg file.
The key can always be imported back into the registry by double clicking on the file.

You can also try CCleaner. It is helpful in removing some context menu entries without you having to use registry. They are reversible within cCleaner. See screenshot.

No, the key with that name does not exist. But when I use RegScanner to search for "foxit", I get 5470 hits

Cripes, what bloatware !
The first two are the ones (and the only ones) to contain "FoxitPreviewhost.exe", so I assume that's where ShellExView got it from. The file in question does no longer exist. I guess leaving these registry entries (and the other 5468) is just a bug in the Foxit uninstall program. Like "Foxit was here" graffity sprayed all over the place. I will make sure to stay clear of this program from now on.

I deleted the regkey (there was only one, it seems) and now ShellExView does not show it anymore. Sadly it does not solve my original problem ( Explorer crashes on right mouse click when two files are selected ) but at least it is one less thing to worry about.

Thanks all for your kind help !

glasskuter · Feb 12, 2024

I'd try these suggestions

CLEAN BOOT
Perform a clean boot to eliminate software conflict causing the issue. If it doesn't happen in a clean boot, you have some software conflicting with Windows. Brink's procedure will help you weed out which one. Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial

SFC/DISM
Make sure you have no corrupt system files that is causing this problem. Open a command prompt as administrator and type sfc /scannow
Pay attention to the scan results to see if SFC found anything it could not repair. If it found corruption it could not fix followup with this command (note the spaces)
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
Restart computer

(Note-you can follow up with another sfc /scannow command to make sure that dism repaired the files)

Still no luck, do a repair install. Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade Tutorial

cbreemer · Feb 12, 2024

glasskuter said:
I'd try these suggestions

CLEAN BOOT
Perform a clean boot to eliminate software conflict causing the issue. If it doesn't happen in a clean boot, you have some software conflicting with Windows. Brink's procedure will help you weed out which one. Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial

SFC/DISM
Make sure you have no corrupt system files that is causing this problem. Open a command prompt as administrator and type sfc /scannow
Pay attention to the scan results to see if SFC found anything it could not repair. If it found corruption it could not fix followup with this command (note the spaces)
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
Restart computer

(Note-you can follow up with another sfc /scannow command to make sure that dism repaired the files)

Still no luck, do a repair install. Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade Tutorial