Shell infrastructure host has stopped working

The error “Shell Infrastructure Host has stopped working” seen often when users try to open a guest account in Windows. In most cases, the dialog will continue to appear regardless of what the user does (as long as the user is still logged into the guest account).

This problem is a known bug on Windows systems 10, but despite several complaints from users, Microsoft has not released any official review. Fortunately, we have managed to identify some solutions that ended up helping users struggling with the same problem. Follow each potential solution in order until you find a solution that solves your situation.. Let us begin.

Method 1: switch to an admin user (interim solution)

Some users have managed to make the popup disappear by reverting to the normal user (with administrator privileges). If you run into the problem and are left with a blank screen with no apparent way to resume normal functionality (other than a reboot), this is what to do:

Note: This is a quick and easy solution to avoid restarting the computer, but it won't fix the error “Shell Infrastructure Host has stopped working” in the guest account.

1. Presione Ctrl + Alt + Delete and click Change user.

2. If you have multiple accounts, you will be asked which account you want to log in with. Choose your main account (the one with administrator privileges) and wait until I log in again.

If you are looking for a more permanent solution, follow the method described below.

Method 2: reinstall Microsoft Redistributable Packages

Some users have managed to solve the problem by uninstalling all Microsoft redistributable packages and reinstalling them from the official website. Here is a quick guide to do it:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open a run window. Type »appwiz.cpl» and press Enter to open Programs and Features.

   

2. In Programs and Features, scroll down the list and uninstall every occurrence of Microsoft Redistributable Packages. Do not worry about losing them indefinitely as we will reinstall them momentarily.

   

3. After removing all redistributable packages from Visual C ++ for Visual Studio, visit this link (here) and download vcredist_x64.exe and vcredist_x86.exe. Open both installers and allow them to re-download the Visual C redistributable packages ++ missing.

   

4. After the installers have finished installing the redistributable packages, reboot your system and see if the error »Shell Infrastructure Host has stopped working» returns once you log into your guest account. If everything goes fine, the problem should be fixed on the next reboot.

   Note: Don't worry if some redistributable packages have not been installed with the two installers we downloaded earlier.. Windows Update (WU) will automatically download missing redistributable packages on demand.

If you are still having trouble with the Shell Infrastructure Host has stopped working error, scroll down to final method.

Method 3: Change startup to selective startup

Some users have managed to avoid this error by changing the startup selection in System Settings to Selective startup. Here is a quick guide on how to do this:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run command. Type »msconfig» and press Enter to open System Settings.

   

2. Once you are inside the System Settings, go to the General tab and change the startup selection from Normal startup to Selective startup. Then, make sure the boxes associated with Load System Services and Load Startup Items are checked and hit Apply.

   

3. Reboot your system and see if the Shell Infrastructure Host has stopped working. The error is cleared when accessing the guest account.