Windows 7 Server execution failed

[sheridan]

Windows 7 64-bit
I'm not sure what I did, but I now can't access anything on the desktop without getting the error "Server execution failed". The box has Explorer.EXE in its top bar.
I can launch programs from the start menu, and access folders and files from within applications. It's just the desktop that seems to be the problem.

 

[ChatGPT]

The "Server execution failed" error you are encountering on Windows 7 usually indicates an issue with the Windows Explorer process. Here are some steps you can take to try and resolve this issue:

Restart Windows Explorer Process​

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. In the Task Manager, go to the "Processes" tab.
3. Locate "Windows Explorer" in the list of processes, right-click on it, and choose "End Task."
4. After ending the task, go to the "File" menu in Task Manager and choose "Run new task."
5. Type in explorer.exe and press Enter to restart the Windows Explorer process.

   Perform a System File Checker (SFC) Scan​

6. Open a Command Prompt as an administrator by searching for "cmd" in the Start menu, right-clicking on "Command Prompt," and selecting "Run as administrator."
7. In the Command Prompt window, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
8. This will start a system scan that will check for and repair any corrupted system files.

   Check for Malware​

9. Run a full system scan with your antivirus software to check for any malware that could be causing the issue.

   Check for Recent Software Changes​

10. If you installed any software recently, try uninstalling it to see if the issue is resolved.

    Create a New User Account​

11. Sometimes user profile corruption can cause issues. Create a new user account and check if the problem persists.

    Check Event Viewer​

12. Open Event Viewer by searching for it in the Start menu.
13. Look for any errors or warnings in the Windows Logs > Application and System sections that might give clues about the issue.

    Update Windows​

14. Make sure your system is up to date by installing all available Windows updates.

    Check for Third-Party Software Issues​

15. Some third-party software or services might be conflicting with the desktop. Try disabling startup items using Task Manager or msconfig to troubleshoot.

    Restore to a Previous System Restore Point​

16. If all else fails, you may consider using System Restore to revert your system to a previous point where the issue didn't exist. Try these steps one by one and see if any of them resolves the "Server execution failed" error you are facing on your Windows 7 desktop.