Last updated: November 4, 2025
Encountering the “Class Not Registered” error on your Windows PC can be frustrating. This error typically occurs when the Windows Component Object Model (COM) registry fails to properly locate and load a specific application component or dynamic-link library (DLL) file.
It often appears as explorer.exe class not registered and can prevent you from using key Windows features like:
- The Start Menu
- Microsoft Edge or other default browsers
- File Explorer
- Other installed applications
Fortunately, this issue rarely requires professional help. You can resolve the “Class Not Registered” error yourself using the systematic methods detailed below.
See also: Top Method To Try Fixing XCOM 2 Red Screen Error In 2025
Table of Contents
What Does “Class Not Registered” Mean?
In simple terms, this error means the Windows operating system cannot find the necessary “instructions” for a program to run. It indicates a failure in the registration of a specific COM Class ID (CLSID) in the Windows Registry.
Common causes include:
- Corrupted System Files: A core Windows DLL file is damaged or missing.
- Application Conflicts: A third-party application improperly registers or unregisters a COM component.
- Registry Errors: The Windows Registry entry for the class is broken or missing.
7 Ways to Fix the “Class Not Registered” Error
We recommend attempting these fixes in order, starting with the simplest and most effective.
1. Run the System File Checker (SFC) and DISM Tools
The most common cause is a corrupted Windows system file. The System File Checker (SFC) tool scans and repairs these files automatically.
| Tool | Purpose | Command |
| SFC | Scans and repairs core protected system files. | sfc /scannow |
| DISM | Restores the Windows component store used by SFC. | DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth |
Steps:
- Search for
cmdin the Windows Search bar. - Right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator.”
- Type
sfc /scannowand press Enter. Wait for the process to complete (it may take several minutes). - If the issue persists, return to the Command Prompt and run the DISM command:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth - Restart your PC after both commands have finished.
2. Restart Windows Explorer
If the error occurs immediately upon logging in or when trying to open File Explorer, the explorer.exe process may be stuck. A quick restart can often clear temporary access issues.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- Select the Processes tab.
- Scroll down to Windows Explorer (or
explorer.exe). - Right-click on Windows Explorer and select “Restart.”
3. Reset Default Apps and Browser Settings
If the error is tied to opening specific file types (like images, PDFs, or web links), the default application registration is likely broken.
- Press Windows Key + I to open Settings.
- Go to Apps > Default apps.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page.
- Click the “Reset” button under “Reset all default apps to the Microsoft recommended settings.”
- Alternatively, you can manually click on the app causing the issue (e.g., Microsoft Edge or your photo viewer) and re-assign its default file types.
4. Re-register COM Components (DCOM Config)
This method forces the Windows Component Object Model to flush its cache and re-register its components, a fundamental fix for this type of error.
- Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialogue box.
- Type
dcomcnfgand press Enter to open Component Services. - In the left pane, expand Component Services > Computers > My Computer.
- Click on DCOM Config.
- You may see several “Component Services Warning” messages. Click “Yes” on every warning to allow the system to process the re-registration.
- Close the Component Services window and Restart your PC.
5. Change Default Photo/Image Viewer (Specific Error Fix)
If you are only getting the error when opening a specific image file (e.g., a .jpeg or .png), a third-party image viewer is likely causing the conflict.
- Find any image file (e.g., a
.jpg) on your PC. - Right-click on the image and select Open with > Choose another app.
- Select the native Windows Photos or Paint application.
- Check the box that says “Always use this app to open .jpg files” (or the relevant file type). This should force the registration of the native viewer.
6. Create a New User Account
If the error is isolated to your current user profile, creating a new administrative account can bypass the corrupted settings without requiring a full Windows reinstall.
- Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
- Click “Add someone else to this PC.”
- Follow the prompts to create a new local or Microsoft account with Administrator privileges.
- Log out of your current account and log into the new account to see if the error persists. If the error is gone, you can migrate your files and use the new account.
7. Check for Third-Party Application Conflicts (Clean Boot)
The safest way to check for app conflicts is to perform a Clean Boot. This temporarily disables all non-Microsoft background services to isolate the conflict.
- Press Windows Key + R, type
msconfig, and press Enter. - Go to the Services tab.
- Check the box for “Hide all Microsoft services.”
- Click “Disable all.”
- Go to the Startup tab and click “Open Task Manager.”
- Disable all startup items one by one.
- Restart your PC.
If the error is gone after the clean boot, an external program was the cause. You can re-enable the services one by one until the error returns to identify the culprit.
See also: Long Running Script Error: How to Fix It in Modern Browsers (Updated for 2025)
