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GFI File Archive Assistant Leaves Windows Without UI (Shell)

Author: Luis Fernandes Updated

Overview

This article describes the issue and its resolution, which occurs when upgrading the File Archive Assistant (FAA) it can leave Windows without UI (shell).

Users might not know how to recover from this situation without rebooting the system. This does not happen always, but it may occur if the update flow happens as outlined below:

  1. User is running an older version of the FAA and runs installer of the new version of the FAA to upgrade it.
  2. The installer shows a window labeled Files in Use and lists Windows Explorer.
  3. The user chooses the option Automatically close and attempt to restart applications.
  4. When clicking OK, the installer kills the Windows Explorer (explorer.exe), which is the Windows UI/shell, and sometimes it fails to restart.
  5. This leaves the screen blank (without taskbar or desktop). Only the installer window is still visible.
  6. The user can still complete the upgrade and is given a choice to reboot at the end.

 

Environment

GFI Archiver Build 20141117

 

Resolution

This issue is fixed in GFI Archiver 2015 SR1 build 20150218. The approach implemented is that if the installation (post install) does not find explorer.exe in the task list then it is launched and a warning dialog/message box is shown to reboot the machine for settings to take effect.

Upgrade to GFI Archiver 2015 SR1 build 20150218 or newer and use FAA from that installation.

However, if you do not choose to upgrade, then you can recover from this situation by following any one of the methods mentioned below:

  • Press CTRL + ALT + DEL, then click Start Task Manager > File > New Task, then enter explorer.exe and execute it.
  • Press WINDOWS + R to open Run, then enter explorer.exe and execute it.
  • Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC to open the Task Manager. Click File > New Task, then enter explorer.exe and execute it.

Note: In general, if other FAA installations need to be updated too, then avoid the option Automatically close and attempt to restart applications and use Do not close applications instead.