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Do you know How to Fix ‘File Explorer Not Responding’ issue on Windows 11/10? When it comes to Windows 11, File Explorer, which was formerly known as Windows Explorer, is one of the fundamental components that enables users to navigate through the files that are saved on their personal computer or laptop. Essentially, it is the only file manager in Windows 11 that Microsoft just updated with the Windows 11 22H2 update.
This version was released in January of this year. On the other hand, just like other Windows applications and programmes, File Explorer has problems that might occasionally result in the application not functioning properly. Therefore, if you are someone who is experiencing problems with File Explorer on Windows 11, you can rest assured that we have you covered!
When it comes to the problem of File Explorer not functioning properly in Windows 11, we are going to present a few simple solutions in this post. Make sure you read the entire article until the very end in order to learn about all of the potential troubleshooting methods that you can use in order to get File Explorer back up and running on your Windows 11 device. Here are the ways how to Fix ‘File Explorer Not Responding’ issue on Windows 11/10.
Causes of the ‘File Explorer Not Responding’ issue on Windows 11/10
- Corrupted System Files: System files that are necessary for File Explorer to work can get damaged, which makes it inactive.
- Software Conflicts: File Explorer may stop working if it is in disagreement with third-party software or shell extensions.
- Outdated Drivers: File Explorer problems can be caused by device drivers that aren’t suitable or are too old. This is especially true for graphics drivers.
- Windows Updates: Sometimes, problems happen after Windows updates because of changes or conflicts that make File Explorer less useful.
- Corrupted User Profile: If your user profile is damaged, File Explorer may not work properly.
- Disc Errors: If there are errors on the disc where Windows is loaded, File Explorer might start to freeze.
- Malware or Virus Infections: Bad software can mess up File Explorer and make it not work at all.
- Hardware Problems: If a piece of hardware is broken, like a hard drive that won’t work, File Explorer may stop reacting.
How to Fix ‘File Explorer Not Responding’ issue on Windows 11/10
Restart File Explorer
- Press
Ctrl + Shift + Escto open Task Manager. - Locate “Windows Explorer” in the list.
- Right-click on it and select Restart.
Check for Windows Updates
- Clicking on the Start button.
- Selecting “Settings” (gear icon).
- Choosing “Update & Security.”
- Clicking on “Windows Update” and checking for updates.
Disable Quick Access
- Open File Explorer.
- Click on “View” in the ribbon.
- Select “Options.”
- In the General tab, change the “Open File Explorer to” option to “This PC.”
Clear File Explorer History
- Open File Explorer.
- Navigate to “View” and click on “Options.”
- Under the General tab, click on “Clear” next to File Explorer history.
Run System File Checker (SFC)
- Press
Win + Xand choose “Command Prompt (Admin).” - Type
sfc /scannowand press Enter.
Check for Disk Errors
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type
chkdsk /fand press Enter. - Follow on-screen instructions to schedule a disk check.
Disable Add-ons and Extensions
- Open File Explorer.
- Click on “View” and select “Options.”
- Navigate to the “View” tab and uncheck “Show preview handlers in preview pane.”
Perform a Clean Boot
- Press
Win + Rand typemsconfig. - Navigate to the “Services” tab and check “Hide all Microsoft services.”
- Click on “Disable all” and restart your computer.
Conclusion
User access and management of files and other content that is saved on a computer or mobile device can be facilitated with the assistance of File Explorer, which is one of the most widely used tools. There are a lot of people who are using Windows 11 who are complaining about File Explorer randomly crashing or even freezing. In the event that you are also experiencing the issue of Windows 11 File Explorer not responding, you can attempt to resolve it by following the steps outlined in this article.
Questions and Answers
Therefore, you should run a scan with System File Checker to determine whether or not Windows Resource Protection identifies any corrupted system files. If this is the case, Windows Resource Protection will most likely also repair the files that have been identified, which may resolve the issue where your folders do not open when you double-click on them.
It is possible that you are utilising an obsolete or corrupted video driver. The files that make up your computer’s system could be corrupted or incompatible with other files. On your personal computer, you might be infected with a virus or malware. It’s possible that Windows Explorer is malfunctioning because of certain programmes or services that are now executing on your computer.
The File Explorer in Windows 11 has been improved by Microsoft with a simpler toolbar, updated icons, and color-coded folders; but, you can do better than anything Microsoft has done. By using a third-party File Explorer alternative, you will be able to take advantage of a variety of features, including tags, tabs (which Microsoft has stated will be added to File Explorer in a later version), and other conveniences.