📎 AI Summary:
The WindowsForum thread discusses an issue with a distorted context menu displaying “0??????(O)” when right-clicking. The original poster suspects malware or software corruption affecting registry entries, and considers repairing the registry as a solution. Responders suggest checking and editing registry keys, disabling Group Policy via renaming directories, and scanning for malware with free antivirus tools, indicating the problem may indeed be caused by malware or registry corruption, with an emphasis on fixing it without re-installing Windows.
W

WinFreak

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Thread Author #1
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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Neemobeer

Neemobeer

Windows Forum Team
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#2
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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W

WinFreak

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Thread Author #4
Neemobeer said:
Context menus are driven by registry values in HKCR:\<object type> and HKCU:\Software\Classes.
Click to expand...
C:\Windows\Regedit.exe is no valid Win32 application.
C:\Windows\system32\dllcache\regedit.exe “disabled by administrator”, despite I never did that.

Neemobeer said:
malware or buggy software
Click to expand...
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.
 

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Neemobeer

Neemobeer

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#5
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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livix07

livix07

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#6
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