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This tip is about the how to Fix Your Windows File Explorer Not Responding. So read this free guide, How to Fix Your Windows File Explorer Not Responding step by step. If you have query related to same article you may contact us.
How to Fix Your Windows File Explorer Not Responding – Guide
The explorer.exe process is the user’s shell on Windows. You may or may not think of File Explorer when you hear about explorer.exe. Although the process also runs the desktop, taskbar and other interface features. It is a very important part of Windows, but it can also be stopped and restarted.
So, even if Windows 10 File Explorer isn’t answering for you or other parts of the Windows interface aren’t working efficiently, you can update the explorer.exe process by restarting it. This basically has no negative side effects on other running programs.
In that guide, we’ll show you four ways to restart the explorer.exe process in Windows 10.
1. Modify your PC screen layout
This is a somewhat bizarre but effective solution to Windows Explorer not responding. Apparently, using a non-recommended layout and screen resolution may cause File Explorer to malfunction.
Check your PC’s display settings and make sure you use the recommended scale/layout. Go to Settings > System > Display and make sure the size of text, apps and other items is set to 100% or whatever Windows recommends.
If your PC’s display scale is already set to 100%, try changing it to 125% and back to 100% again.
2. Kill and restart File Explorer
If Windows Explorer is still not responding after changing your PC’s resolution, please close the Windows Explorer process and start it again. There are several ways to restart Windows Explorer.
Using Task Manager
Launch Windows Task Manager (press Ctrl + Shift + Esc), right-click Windows Explorer in the Applications section and click End Task to close File Explorer.
Restart Windows Explorer by clicking the folder icon on the taskbar. Alternatively, use the Task Manager: click File in the menu bar and select Run new task.
Type explorer.exe into the dialog box and click OK.
This will start Windows Explorer immediately. Now make sure you can access your files and folders in File Explorer without any delay.
Using Command Prompt
You can also use the Command Prompt utility to quit and restart Windows Explorer. Right-click the Windows icon and select Command Prompt (Admin) from the Quick Access menu. Enter taskkill /f/im explorer.exe in the console and press Enter.
Your PC’s taskbar and desktop icons will disappear when you close Windows Explorer. This is normal and only temporary. To restart File Explorer, enter start explorer.exe in the Command Prompt window and press Enter to continue.
Restart File Explorer using a BAT file
BAT files allow you to easily automate tasks and actions. If File Explorer doesn’t respond often and restarting the process usually solves the problem, you should create a dedicated BAT file to restart File Explorer with the click of a click. button.
- Right-click on an empty space on the desktop. Click New and select Text Document.
- Name the document Restart Explorer and press Enter.
- Double-click the newly created file to open it with Notepad.
- Paste the command below into the document: taskkill / f / IM explorer.exestart explorer.exeexit
- Click File on the menu bar and select Save As.
- In the File Name dialog box, rename the file. Restart Explorer.bat and make sure the Save as type option is set to All files.
- Click Save to proceed.
To use the newly created BAT file to restart Windows Explorer, return to the desktop, right-click the file and select Run as administrator.
Windows will execute the command in the BAT file via the Command Prompt and restart Windows Explorer.
3. Check for corrupt system files
When some system files get damaged, lost or corrupted, some core Windows functionality (like File Explorer) may start to malfunction. Fortunately, this is easy to fix. System File Checker will scan your PC for corrupt or missing system files and repair or replace them accordingly.
Follow the steps below to run System File Checker on your Windows 10 computer.
- Right-click the Start menu icon and select Command Prompt (Admin).
- Type or paste the command below into the Command Prompt console and press Enter.sfc / scannow
- If Windows File Explorer is still not responding when the command prompt finishes executing the command, restart your computer and try again.
4. Clear File Explorer History
Windows File Explorer keeps a record of all past actions and activities—recently accessed files and folders, searches, address bar entries, and so on. Windows File Explorer may respond slowly or crash when the utility’s history accumulates to a certain point. Try clearing the File Explorer history and see if this fixes the problem.
- Type file explorer options into the Windows search bar and click File Explorer Options in the results.
- On the General tab, click the Clear button. button to the right of the option that says Clear File Explorer history. You will find this in the Privacy section.
- Click Apply and OK to save your changes.
File Explorer should now be stable and functional when you restart it. Otherwise, proceed to the next solution.
5. Update your PC’s video driver
According to Microsoft Support, Windows Explorer may stop working if your PC’s video driver is corrupted or outdated. If you still cannot browse your files and folders because Windows File Explorer is not responding, try downloading and installing the latest video driver update for your PC. Connect your computer to the internet and follow the steps below.
- Right-click the Start or Windows icon and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Display Adapters category, right-click on your PC’s display/graphics adapter and select Update Driver.
- Choose Automatically search for updated driver software.
This will make Windows search the Internet and your computer for the latest video driver for your PC.
6. Update your PC operating system
File Explorer may hang and not respond if the Windows 10 version is out of date. Download and install all available updates and see if this resolves the issue.
Windows updates often come with security patches, driver updates, bug fixes, and solutions to other functional issues affecting Windows applications and processes. If Device Manager cannot find an update for your video driver, consider updating your PC’s operating system.
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for Updates.
7. Scan your PC for viruses and malware
If you have antivirus or antimalware software installed on your PC, run a full scan for hidden viruses and malware. See this guide learn how to Completely remove stubborn malware from your PC using reliable software like Malwarebytes.
You can also use Windows’ built-in antivirus tool, Windows Defender, to destroy malware and viruses.
8. Check for memory problems
Various applications may malfunction on your PC if there is a problem with random access memory. Run the Windows Memory Diagnostics tool to check your computer for memory problems. Be sure to save your work and close all open applications before proceeding.
- Type memory into the Windows search bar and select Windows Memory Diagnostic from the result.
- The two will present two options. Select the option that says “Restart now and check for problems (recommended)”.
Windows Memory Diagnostics will scan your PC and fix any memory-related issues it finds.
9. Perform a system restore
Did File Explorer start after installing an application, driver, software update, or after changing certain system settings? Try reverting your PC to a previous configuration (or restore point).
Note that reverting to a previous restore point will change some system settings. Recently installed programs and drivers will also be deleted from the PC. Follow the steps below to revert to a restore point.
- Type control panel into the Windows search bar and click Control Panel in the results.
- Click Recovery.
- Select Open System Restore.
- In the System Restore window, click Next to continue.
- The latest / latest system restore point will appear in the list. Select it and click Next to continue. Check the ‘Show more restore points’ option to reveal other (older) restore points.
- Click Finish to start System Restore.
Final note
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