May 18, 2012

Fixing DWM.Exe (Desktop Window Manager) Crashes

Windows operating systems have really come long way since the early days of version 3.1, and most modern computers in which they are installed nowadays can be used for hours–and even days–at a time, without so much as a hiccup. Unfortunately, computer problems do remain a bothersome reality for some, and for users of Windows Vista and Windows 7, one of the more annoying issues have to do with dwm.exe crashes.

Even some of the most experienced Windows users aren’t immune to such issues, and it seems that such errors occur out of the blue without any apparent cause. When such errors show up, they can really put a damper on what would otherwise be an enjoyable and rewarding computing experience, which is why we have put together this article in the hopes of helping you deal with such issues.

Some of the most common causes of dwm.exe crashes are computer viruses. The Internet is a particularly fertile breeding ground for some truly ornery bits of code in the form of spyware or malware, and they can really do a number on your computer. Therefore, the first step in getting to the bottom of dwm.exe crashes is determining whether your computer problems are caused by viruses. There are many antivirus programs currently available on the market, and any computer user would do well to look into a good one. We’re going to leave the discussion of virus removal to the many other articles on the Web, and instead focus on another common cause of dwm.exe crashes, which is a registry error.

In many cases, a DWM crash is caused by a corruption of the Windows registry. The Windows registry is one of the most important components of the Windows operating system, and it performs the very essential function of keeping track of the different software and device downloads, installations, and removals that computer users routinely undertake. It is important to note that something as seemingly innocuous as the removal of software can wreak havoc on your Windows registry, particularly if it isn’t done properly. One common instance is when Windows cannot locate the correct path name for the dwm.exe file. If you are faced with such a problem, your best recourse is to use a good registry cleaner program.

Just like antivirus software, a registry cleaner program is an essential tool to have at your disposal. Such tools are designed specifically to fix errors in the Windows registry, such as the aforementioned DWM crashes. These programs basically scan, analyze, and repair any errors in your windows registry, rectifying any issues with missing and/or corrupted dwm.exe files.

Of course, many users would simply opt to disable DWM entirely, but this isn’t a feasible option for users who want to enjoy the added features of Desktop Window Manager. If the crashes you are experiencing aren’t enough to deter you from using DWM, investing in a good registry cleaner program would be to your advantage.