Explorer.exe problem...?

Question

I'm running a desktop PC with Windows XP Home (I doubt you'll need any more specs for this problem) and I seem to have no Explorer.exe. When I log in I have nothing but my background image, I can bring up the task manager to open programs and such. I've researched the problem and have come to the conclusion that I've either caught some nasty that's messed with it OR, and this is what I personally suspect, the Firewall I recently installed (Jetico Personal Firewall) has either mistaken Explorer.exe as being harmful to my system, or the file actually was infected and the firewall deleted it.
The file is definetly not where it's supposed to be, I've looked, and tried to start Explorer through the task manager but it can't find it, and nothing changes in Safe Mode.

As I mentioned before I've researched the problem, and the answer is either to reinstall Windows (I think there is a way to do it wihout losing any files???), or download an alternative to the file... Any help is appreciated.

Thanks guys, yeah I read about repair installs, I think I'll probably try that soon. I actually had ZoneAlarm, but I hated the anti-virus, so I installed Kaspersky, which actually deleted ZA when I installed it, so I installed Agnitum Outpost firewall but the free trial ended and I installed Jetico. I should buy proper licenses and stop coasting around on free trials.

You also said I can copy Explorer.exe from the XP install disc? Any idea where on the disc that would be? I found a file called 'EXPLORER', with the no image icon, and hovering over it says it's an EX_File?

Answer 1

There's a virus with the same name and your firewall or antivirus app may have delete it. You can extract the explorer.exe from the Window CD or just copy it from another PC to yours. It's reside in c:\windows. I also would use a different firewall like ZoneAlarm.

Answer 2

Try performing a repair install on Windows...this will put the Explorer.exe file back and also make sure all of your other system files are correct. You will not lose any of your programs, but might lose some Windows settings and updates.