ArcCatalog crashes when clicking a folder

Description

Some times clicking a folder in the tree view causes ArcCatalog to crash.

Cause

When you click a folder, ArcCatalog scans the contents of that folder to show the supported data types. Most likely the folder has a corrupted data set, which causes the crash.

Solution or Workaround

1. In ArcCatalog, click Tools > Options and select the General tab
2. Un-check all data types in the list box with the title 'Which types of data do you want the Catalog to show?'. Click OK.
3. Navigate to the folder that previously crashed ArcCatalog.
   
   

   Note:
   If ArcCatalog crashes at this point, don't continue. This solution may not fix your problem. Contact Technical Support. 

   
   
4. Select the General tab in the Tools > Options dialog box again and check one data type. Click OK.
5. Navigate to the folder that previously crashed ArcCatalog.
6. Repeat step 5 and 6 until it crashes ArcCatalog. This help you identify which data type may be corrupted.
7. Using Windows Explorer remove or rename the type of data that crashed ArcCatalog in the previous step.