Windows XP File context menu broken? | It shows “0??????(O)” instead of “SYSTEM (C:\)”

WinFreak

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An image from 'File context menu broken? | It shows “0??????(O)” instead of “SYSTEM (C:\)”'. German Windows XP interface showing a hard drive with corrupted or unreadable name and context menu.


Why does this context menu display “0??????(O)”?

And how do I repair it?

Edit: Clicking on it does open C:\ normally.
 

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Context menus are driven by registry values in HKCR:\<object type> and HKCU:\Software\Classes. Corrupt, malware or buggy software can mess them up. These two highlighted keys are what drive those two menu items. If they do not say Open and Explore or Öffnen and
Erkunden in German. Just change the names of the keys.


An image from 'File context menu broken? | It shows “0??????(O)” instead of “SYSTEM (C:\)”'. Registry Editor showing expanded keys in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT for folder shell commands 'explore' and 'open'.
 

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Context menus are driven by registry values in HKCR:\<object type> and HKCU:\Software\Classes.
C:\Windows\Regedit.exe is no valid Win32 application.
C:\Windows\system32\dllcache\regedit.exe “disabled by administrator”, despite I never did that.

malware or buggy software
Malware sounds more plausible now, but no worries, that PC does not store any important data. I'd just like to repair it without re-installing.
 

Certainly possible. If you can access it rename the GroupPolicy directory name at C:\Windows\System32. It may be hidden. Then reboot
 

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