Windows explorer not opening from other programs or apps

[mjmiller1824]

I'm trying to install Kali with persistence to a USB drive in Windows 10. I've tried Universal USB Installer, Yumi, and Rufus. Everything works fine until I click browse to go to the location of my .iso file. It worked fine up until today. The last time I did this was yesterday (the persistence got corrupted some how on my Kali install). Today when I click browse in any of these programs, nothing happens, no window ever appears that let's me navigate to and install the file. Additionally if I put the location of the iso in manually it does not let me continue. Has anyone experienced this? I've tried rebooting several times, I found out that I don't have a restore point set even though I thought I had restore turned on so that's not an option, and it would be a huge undertaking for me to reinstall everything. I'm assuming something come unlinked but I don't know how that could happen or how to fix it.

Update 1: I'm convinced this is a general windows problem because it turns out that it doesn't matter what program I try to "browse" from I.E. I can't upload files, I can't select files etc. So it's not just the aforementioned programs and I have updated the title accordingly.

Update 2: My windows update fails continuously. When I try to run the troubleshooter WindowsUpdateDiagnostic.diagcab I get the error "An unexpected error has occured, the troubleshooting wizard can't continue" error code. 0x80029C4A. I'm not sure if this is related or not but I wouldn't be surprised.

Update 3: I've been able to confirm that many (I won't say all but I suspect) other program other than the task bar at the bottom of the screen seems to be unable to open windows explorer. For instance clicking show in folder in the downloads page of chrome won't open the downloads folder.

Update 4: I also can't right click and save as in any of my browsers. Again the explorer frame never pops up.

 

[Saga Lout]

I can't think of an answer to this one at the moment but I would suggest moving this to the Linux sub-Forum. I could be wrong but I reckon there'll be more and better advice over there. Post back a yes or no and I'll do the necessary. It's getting late in my part of the world so it may have to be tomorrow.

 

[mjmiller1824]

I don't actually think it's a linux problem. I think it's a windows explorer or registry problem. I can set up a Kali on a USB just fine through the ubuntu command line. This is a problem of windows explorer not opening a browse window in Windows 10. Thanks for the offer though. On further examination I also found that when I click on attach file for instance in Chrome it also doesn't open a browse window. So I'm pretty convinced this is a Windows problem.

Update: This is definitely a windows problem. I've updated the original post to reflect new information.

 

[Saga Lout]

Given this only started a few days ago, I'm beginning to wonder if you've been affected in some way by last weekend's Windows 10 1511 update.

 

[mjmiller1824]

Given this only started a few days ago, I'm beginning to wonder if you've been affected in some way by last weekend's Windows 10 1511 update.

Entirely possible, I also had to move somethings around on my HDD for an Ubuntu partition. The answer ended up being (although I still don't know the root cause) use Microsoft's "Media Creation Tool" and then repair the install by doing an upgrade install (even though I already had Win 10) following this guide:

http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/16397-repair-install-windows-10-place-upgrade.html

My programs and files are right where I left them so I would call this fixed and close the topic.

 

[Saga Lout]

I believe they pulled that Media Creation Tool following a large number of complaints. System Restore might get you round this one.

 

[mjmiller1824]

Nah it was there when I went looking for it. It's still there. Worked like a charm. Thanks though.