Member Avatar for normanallen

I am running W7 Ultimate 32 bit. I have been using Chrome as my browser of choice until an update resulted in it coming up with the message 'Google Chrome has stopped working'. According to Google they are working on a solution to this, as the error message alone isn't enough to determine the problem. I created some logs following their instructions but the site to upload them to doesn't seem to exist anymore.
However, I have now started getting the '<> has stopped working' message from some other applications as well. Examples are Nero and IE8.
Could this be a message that M$ have introduced in one of their updates as a generic error message or is something else at work?
I briefly had Ultimate 64 bit running, but found that XP Mode wouldn't work correctly with a 16 bit application. 64 bit never gave any of of the error messages.
Has anyone encountered anything similar?

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The Windows dialog "'<app> has stopped working'" is a generic crash message; it tells nothing about why the program failed. 's post (Malwarebytes then COMBOFIX) and 's note about Google updater tasks point to three common causes: infection or unwanted software, a bad update or updater, or a corrupted system/runtime component. 's System Restore idea is a valid recovery option, and the split opinions from and show both rolling back and updating can be reasonable depending on which side caused the break.

A concise troubleshooting checklist:

  1. Capture the faulting module: open Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) → Windows Logs → Application and find the Error at the crash time. Note the "Faulting module" and exception code — that directs the next step (plugin, system DLL, or app binary).
  2. Run system file check: open an elevated Command Prompt and run sfc /scannow.
  3. Scan for malware with Malwarebytes (full scan) and an up-to-date AV. @kristain's success demonstrates this can matter.
  4. Test for third-party interference: boot to Safe Mode; if crashes stop, a driver or background tool is suspect.
  5. Test Chrome with a fresh profile by renaming "%LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data" (Chrome will create a clean profile). This isolates profile/extension problems.

About Google Update tasks: disabling the scheduled Google update tasks in Task Scheduler stops automatic updates — that prevents future update-triggered crashes but increases security risk. Prefer disabling (right‑click → Disable) rather than deleting tasks, keep manual update checks if auto-update is turned off, and make a restore point before removing services/tasks.

Final notes: COMBOFIX can be effective but is an advanced, risky tool — try safer scans and System Restore first. Before making big changes, create a restore point or a system image. If multiple unrelated apps are crashing, focus first on Event Viewer entries and recent driver/Windows updates for a precise rollback.

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Member Avatar for caperjack

until an update resulted in it coming up with the message 'Google Chrome has stopped working'

hi do you mean after a google chrome update !1 is so uninstall ad install a older version

Member Avatar for kristain

I had the same problem, Google Chrome just stopped working as described here. I tried several things, including re-installation, and removing Malware with Malwarebytes. (Malware bytes did remove a pile of Malware, so was worth it) None of these were successful in fixing Chrome for me. However, the suggestion above, did work work Running COMBOFIX, did just what it says above, and now Chrome works.

Member Avatar for normanallen

I have been looking for earlier versions, but still haven't found the site to download one from. Can you give a URL?

Member Avatar for caperjack

I have been looking for earlier versions, but still haven't found the site to download one from. Can you give a URL?

hi,please answer my question i asked in my first post ,about the update ,thank you

only old version i can find are beta but they will work .
http://www.filehippo.com/download_google_chrome/history/6/

Edited by caperjack because: n/a
Member Avatar for normanallen

Tiny problem. How do I stop it from updating itself to the latest version? I wondered why it suddenly gave the message and found it was 'up to date'!

Member Avatar for caperjack

sorry ,didn't like it so i don't use it .must be in the settings somewhere though

Member Avatar for ivatanako

Hi normallen

Try restoring from previous state using windows restore. That should help if it was caused by an update.

Regards,
Al

Member Avatar for normanallen

That really doesn't help much - sledge hammer and nut springs to mind. Is Chrome the only application that updates itself without user intervention?

Member Avatar for normanallen

I have found there are four google updater processes in Task Scheduler. If I remove these what side effects could this cause? Two seem to run daily and two every hour.

Member Avatar for caperjack

none ,i remove all updater for all program ecept windows updates

Member Avatar for Member #758415

I would recommend uninstalling Chrome, and installing the *latest* version.

Member Avatar for caperjack

I would recommend uninstalling Chrome, and installing the *latest* version.

that a really good suggestion ,but if your read the post you would have seen that it was the latest version that was causing the problems ,good day

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