How to fix “Shellexecuteex Failed” error in Windows 7, 8 and 10?

The “Shellexecuteex Failed” error occurs before Windows users whenever they try to perform an action that requires an Internet connection, or install an application on the system. Users claim that this message can be accompanied by a variety of codes.

Reasons behind “Shellexecuteex Failed”

• The application does not have administrator rights.
• Damage to Windows system files.
• System sounds set by the user cause the application to crash.
• A conflict between two or more applications.
• Extremely strict Windows system group policies.

Solution Methods “Shellexecuteex Failed”

Method # 1 Run the application on behalf of the Administrator (if applicable)

The easiest method in such a situation is to launch the required application on behalf of the Administrator. Of course, this method is not suitable for all users. To run the application as an Administrator, you need to do the following:

1. right-click on the executable file (.exe) of the application you need;
2. select the “Properties” item in the context menu;
3. go to the “Compatibility” tab;
4. put a tick next to the item “Run this program as administrator”;
5. click the “Apply” and “OK” buttons.

Try running the application and see if the “Shellexecuteex Failed” error appears or not.

Method # 2 Scanning system files

It is possible that corrupted system files are behind this message. In this case, you need to use the SFC and DISM utilities. They will scan your Windows for corrupted files and restore them if possible.

Try the following:

1. press Windows + R;
2. copy “cmd” to an empty line and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter;
3. enter the command “sfc / scannow” and press Enter;
4. wait until the SFC utility finishes and restart the computer;
5. reopen the command prompt;
6. run the following commands:
   • Dism.exe / online / cleanup-image / scanhealth;
   • Dism.exe / online / cleanup-image / restorehealth;
7. restart your computer.

If these utilities found damage on your computer and fixed them (this will become clear from the information on the command line), then the message “Shellexecuteex Failed” should disappear.

Method # 3 Resetting the system sounds settings

As strange as it may sound, the error we are considering today may occur … due to Windows system sounds. You may have changed your system sounds settings recently. If so, try the following:

1. press Windows + R;
2. write in an empty line “mmsys.cpl” and press Enter;
3. go to the “Sounds” tab;
4. select “Default” from the drop-down menu of sound schemes;
5. click the “Apply” and “OK” buttons;
6. restart your computer.

Check if the “Shellexecuteex Failed” error is gone or not.

Method # 4 Performing a clean boot

A conflict between some programs on the system can cause the “Shellexecuteex Failed” error. But how do you know if there really is a software conflict? The answer is clean boot. To perform a clean boot, do the following:

1. press Windows + R;
2. copy “msconfig” to an empty line and press Enter;
3. go to the “Services” tab;
4. put a check mark next to the option “Do not display Microsoft services” and click the “Disable all” button;
5. now go to the “Startup” tab and click on the line “Open Task Manager”;
6. disable all programs from the provided list;
7. restart your computer.

Now test your system. If the “Shellexecuteex Failed” error disappeared, then some disabled service or program was indeed the “culprit.” You need to enable disabled programs / services one by one and test the system to understand what exactly is causing the error.

Method # 5 Editing Group Policy

If none of the above worked, then you can try using this method. Some users claim that they managed to get rid of the “Shellexecuteex Failed” error by editing the “User Account Control: Elevate Signed and Verified Executable Files Only” Group Policy.

To do this on your computer, you need to do the following:

1. press Windows + R;
2. write “gpedit.msc” and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter;
3. go to the following path: Local Computer Policy → Computer Configuration → Windows Configuration → Security Settings;
4. after opening the security settings menu, double-click the left mouse button on “User Account Control: elevation of rights only for signed and verified executable files”;
5. put a tick next to the “Disable” item;
6. save the changes in the system group policy settings and restart the computer.

We hope our material was helpful in resolving the Shellexecuteex Failed error.