Hi everyone, thanks for reading this.

I'll just start by saying that I've been having so many problems with Vista lately that I had to pick the most pressing issue to post here so I don't drive anyone else mad.

Like the title says, every time I attempt to access my control panel, Windows Explorer experiences a problem and restarts. I've tried several methods, including the removal of the Aero theme, playing with the services.msc settings (following a suggestion from a quick google search) and many others.

The irony in this is that the reason I needed to access my control panel in the first place was becausemy built-in laptop camera always seemed to be locked by another application (the message would either appear explicity upon starting the webcam software or the image wouldn't appear during webcam conversations). But anyway, I think I need my control panel more than I need my camera right now.

P.S. Thanks in advance for all your help! =)

Don't know Vista well yet, myself.
Found a site where you may find an answer yourself-- all kinds of tips/tweaks for Vista

Microsoft Windows Vista - New Client Desktop operating system to replace XP

Thanks ih8bills, I checked that site out and it has a few things that could really come in handy. Unfortunately I couldn't find an answer to my problem. It also looks like quite a few other people are experiencing similar problems with Vista.

Which is part of the reason I have not "upgraded" yet
I'll keep poking around-- see if I find anything else.

I try not to be biased when I talk about Vista, but if you value your sanity, I suggest you stick to whatever you have.

Thanks I have XP- and intend to stay with it a while yet.

I read that some major corporations are refusing to "upgrade".

One blog I saw called Vista "the New Windows ME"-- which as bad as it gets to me-- I DID have ME --very briefly. It was the worst OS I ever ran.

The development issues with Vista already had me nervous before it was released-- delayed/reworked at least 7-8 times. It was originally supposed to use an entirely new programming language-- but there were so many problems that M$ was forced to scrap that idea.

I still will continue to try to help you-- I am nothng if not stubborn