PROBLEM

Opening ArcToolbox produces the splash screen but never opens

Last Published: April 26, 2020

Description

While attempting to open ArcToolbox the opening splash screen appears briefly but ArcToolbox never starts. The Windows Task Manager reveals that ArcToolbox appears to be running even though no interface or dialogs are visible.

Cause

A file necessary to run the software has been altered or become unregistered.

Solution or Workaround

Warning:    
The instructions below include making changes to essential parts of your operating system. It is recommended that you backup your operating system and files, including the registry, before proceeding. Consult with a qualified computer systems professional, if necessary.

Esri cannot guarantee results from incorrect modifications while following these instructions; therefore, use caution and proceed at your own risk.

The file in question with this problem is COMDLG32.OCX. Depending on the version of the Windows Operating System you are running, it will be found in either C:\WINNT\System32 or C:\WINDOWS\System32. These paths will be referred to interchangeably as %WINDOWS_HOME%.
  1. Navigate to %WINDOWS_HOME% in Windows Explorer and right click on COMDLG32.OCX.
  2. Click the Version tab. The file version should be 6.0.84.18.
  3. If version 6.0.84.18 COMDLG32.OCX already exists, reregister the file.
  1. Open a DOS Command Prompt by going to Start > Run. Type 'cmd', and click OK.
  2. At the prompt, issue one of the following commands, depending on the version of Windows you have:
C:\> regsvr32 C:\WINNT\System32\COMDLG32.OCX
or
C:\> regsvr32 C:\WINDOWS\System32\COMDLG32.OCX
  1. If it is not version 6.0.84.18, reboot the system.
  2. Use a copy of the Windows OS CD to get a copy of the version 6.0.84.18 COMDLG32.OCX.
  3. Navigate back to %WINDOWS_HOME%.
  4. Rename the existing COMDLG32.OCX to COMDLG32.OLD.
  5. Copy in the COMDLG32.OCX version 6.0.84.18.
  6. Register the file.
  1. Open a DOS Command Prompt by going to Start > Run. Type 'cmd', and click OK.
  2. At the prompt, issue one of the following commands, depending on the version of Windows you have:
C:\> regsvr32 C:\WINNT\System32\COMDLG32.OCX
or
C:\> regsvr32 C:\WINDOWS\System32\COMDLG32.OCX

Article ID:000006196

Software:
  • ArcMap

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