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Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost error on Windows 10 [COMPLETE GUIDE]

11 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Windows 10is a great operating system, but some users are having certain problems with it.

According to them, they are gettingMicrosoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost needs to be installed correctlyerror message, so let’s see how to fix this problem.

How can I fix Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost?

How can I fix Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost?

Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost needs to be installed correctlyerror can be problematic since it will prevent you from openingStart Menu. Speaking ofMicrosoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost,users reported the following problems as well:

2. Update your graphics card driver

According to users, sometimesMicrosoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost needs to be installed correctlyerror can appear if your graphics card driver is out of date.

Users reported this problem while using Nvidia graphics, and in order to fix the issue, they had toupdate their driver.

Updating the graphics card driver is rather simple, and in order to do it, you just have to visit your graphics card manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver for your graphics card.

After downloading the driver, install it and the issue should be resolved.

If you don’t know how to update your driver manually, we wrote a detailed guide onhow to update your graphics card driver, so be sure to check it out for more instructions.

We also must inform you that downloading drivers manually is a process that carries the risk of getting the wrong driver installed, which may lead to serious malfunctions.

The safer and easier way to update drivers on a Windows computer is by using an automatic tool such asOutbyte Driver Updater.

Using is far easier, as it does the scanning, downloading, and repairing of the drivers for you, and all you need to do is decide which needs fixing and wait for a bit.

The tool is made to be all the more accessible by the fact that the UI is oversimplified, so even if it is your first time using it, there’s no way you can get it wrong.

2. Check for updates

If you’re having this problem, the cause might be a missing update. New updates fix various bugs and glitches, so it’s always a good idea to keep your PC updated.

Windows 10usuallyinstalls the updates automatically, but you can also check for updates manually.

If any updates are available, they will be downloaded automaticallyin the background. Once your PC is up to date, check if the problem still appears.

If you can’t open the Setting app, take a look atthis articleto solve the issue in just a couple of steps.

3. Uninstall Dropbox

Dropbox is a popularcloud storageservice, but it seems that Dropbox has certain issues withWindows 10.

According to users, Dropbox is the main cause forMicrosoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost needs to be installed correctlyerror message, and so far the only solution is to remove Dropbox.

Users confirmed that uninstalling Dropbox fixed this error, so you might want to try that. If you rely heavily on Dropbox, you might have to wait until Dropbox updates its client and fixes this error.

It’s worth mentioning that there are several ways to uninstall Dropbox, but the best one is to useuninstaller software.

Thebest uninstallerson the market will remove every file and registry entry related to the app you want to uninstall.

They can also force uninstall malicious apps and notify you when you are about to install bloatware.

This makes it so that nothing is left behind that may cause theMicrosoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHosterror.

4. Enter Safe Mode

Some users claim that you can fixMicrosoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost needs to be installed correctlyerror messagesimply by entering the Safe Mode.

If there’s noerror message, restart your computer and startWindows 10normally. According to users, just by entering Safe Mode, the issue should be automatically resolved, so be sure to try that.

Most Windows users don’t know how easy is to add Safe Mode to the boot menu. Find out how you can do it in justa couple of steps.

5. Perform DISM scan

Users reported that you can fix this error by performing the DISM scan.

If you’re having trouble accessing Command Prompt as an admin, then you better take a closer look atthis guide.

6. Perform System Restore

According to users, this error can be caused by a problematic update, and the simplest way to fix this problem is to performSystem Restore.

If System Restore fixes the issue, you might have to stop certain updates from installing automatically in order to prevent this error from appearing again.

If you’re interested in more info on how to create a restore point and how would that help you, take a look at thissimple articleto find out everything you need to know.

7. Re-register Start Menu by using PowerShell

PowerShellis an extremely useful and powerful tool, and sometimes you can use it to fix certain errors. Bear in mind that PowerShell is a potentially dangerous tool and by using this tool you can cause damage to your system.

Most users don’t know what to do when the Windows key stops working. Check outthis guideand be a step ahead.

8. Create a new user profile

If you’re having this error, the issue might be acorrupt user profile. File corruption can occur for many reasons, and sincerepairing the corrupted filesis a long and tedious process, it’s usually better to just create a new user account.

After doing that, you should have a new user profile available. Switch to the new user account and check if the problem still persists. If not, it means that your old user account is corrupted.

If you want, you can move your personal files from the old account to the new one and continue using it instead of your main account.

9. Restart Windows Explorer

If you’re gettingMicrosoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost needs to be installed correctlyerror message, the problem might be a certain bug with Windows Explorer.

In case you don’t know, Windows Explorer is in charge of your user interface, and it’s one of the first applications that start with Windows.

According to users, you can temporarily fix this problem simply by restarting Windows Explorer.

After doing that, Windows Explorer should restart and the problem will be temporarily fixed. Keep in mind that this is just a workaround, and the issue will most likely reappear as soon as you restart your PC.

Even though this is just a workaround, it’s a solid workaround until you find a permanent solution.

Most users have no idea how to deal with a slow Task Manager. Don’t be one of them and read thisquick guideto learn how to make it faster!

10. Remove registry entries

SometimesMicrosoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost needs to be installed correctlymessage can appear due to certain registry entries. In some cases, these entries can interfere with Windows and cause this and other errors to appear.

If you can’t edit yourWindows 10‘s registry, read thishandy guideand find the quickest solutions to the issue.

After deleting all subkeys, the problem should be resolved. If deleting the subkeys manually seems like a long and tedious task, you can also delete all subkeys using PowerShell. To do that, just follow these steps:

After using this command, all subkeys from your registry will be deleted automatically and the issue should be resolved.

11. Perform in-place upgrade

According to users,Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost needs to be installed correctlyerror usually appears due to file corruption, and in some cases, you might be able to solve the problem by performing an in-place upgrade.

If you’re not familiar, an in-place upgrade will reinstall yourWindows 10, but it will keep all your files and installed applications.

This process can take a while, so be patient. Once the in-place upgrade is finished, you should have the latest version ofWindows 10installed with all your files and applications still in place.

If you can’t upgrade to the latestWindows 10version, take a look at thisdedicated articleto find the best solutions to the problem.

Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost needs to be installed correctlyerror can be problematic, but we hope that you managed to fix it by using one of our solutions.

If you have any other questions or suggestions, or maybe you’re aware of an alternative solution, share the info in the comments section below and we will surely check it out.

More about the topics:Fix Start Menu,System Errors,windows 10

Milan Stanojevic

Windows Toubleshooting Expert

Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.

Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.

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Milan Stanojevic

Windows Toubleshooting Expert

Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.