Fix: Windows Explorer Keeps Crashing in Windows 11 (2026 Solutions)

Windows Explorer, also known as File Explorer, lets you access, manage, and organize files and folders on your computer. Sometimes, File Explorer suddenly closes, freezes, or becomes unresponsive when you open a folder, right-click a file, or browse a particular location. This can make it difficult to access your files and complete basic tasks in Windows 11. A damaged system file, a problematic third-party shell extension, a corrupted Explorer cache, an outdated driver, OneDrive or another cloud storage integration, or a Windows 11 bug can cause Explorer to stop responding. In this guide, we’ll cover practical ways to find the cause and stop File Explorer from crashing repeatedly in Windows 11.

Why Does File Explorer Keep Crashing in Windows 11?

File Explorer can crash when Windows cannot properly load a file, folder, system component, or third-party extension that Explorer depends on. The cause often depends on when the crash occurs.

For example, if Explorer crashes when you right-click a file, a third-party context-menu or shell extension may be responsible. If it crashes only when opening a particular folder, a damaged file, thumbnail, or preview may be involved. Cloud storage integrations such as OneDrive can also affect Explorer because they add their own integration to the Windows shell.

The most common causes include:

• Corrupted Windows system files that affect Explorer components.
• Third-party shell extensions that add options to the right-click menu.
• Corrupted Explorer cache or history causing problems when folders load.
• Outdated or incompatible drivers, particularly graphics or storage drivers.
• Cloud storage integration, such as OneDrive, interfering with Explorer.
• A Windows 11 bug or recent update causing compatibility problems.
• A problematic file or folder that causes Explorer to crash when it tries to display its contents.

Restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager

If File Explorer suddenly freezes or closes, restarting the Windows Explorer process can clear a temporary problem without restarting the entire PC. Microsoft also recommends restarting Windows Explorer from Task Manager for Explorer-related problems. (Microsoft Support)

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Locate Windows Explorer under the Processes tab.
3. Right-click Windows Explorer and select Restart.
4. Your desktop, taskbar, and open File Explorer windows may briefly disappear.
5. Wait a few seconds and then open File Explorer again.

It refreshes the Explorer.exe process and clears any temporary glitches that cause the interface to freeze or become unresponsive.

If Explorer starts working normally afterward, the crash may have been temporary. However, if it keeps crashing when you open a particular folder or perform a specific action, continue with the next fixes rather than repeatedly restarting the process.

Clear File Explorer History and Cache

File Explorer maintains a history of recently opened folders and files for quick access. Over time, this cache can become corrupted, causing File Explorer to freeze or crash unexpectedly.

• Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box
• Type control folders and press Enter to open File Explorer Options
• On the General tab, find the Privacy section.
• Click Clear next to Clear File Explorer history.
• In the “Open File Explorer to” dropdown, change the setting to This PC
• Click OK to save changes.

Now, Press Windows + E to test if File Explorer works properly.

Clearing the history removes recently accessed locations from File Explorer’s history; it does not remove the actual files.

Check Whether a Third-Party App Is Causing the Crash

If File Explorer crashes when you right-click a file or folder, a third-party shell extension may be interfering with Explorer. Programs that add options to the right-click menu, cloud storage, compression tools, or other File Explorer integrations can sometimes cause this type of problem.

A useful way to test this is to perform a clean boot:

A clean boot starts Windows with only essential services and drivers. This helps identify whether a third-party startup program is causing File Explorer to crash

• Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
• Open the Services tab.
• Select Hide all Microsoft services.
• Click Disable all.

• Open the Startup tab and select Open Task Manager.
• Disable the enabled third-party startup apps.
• Close Task Manager and click OK in System Configuration.
• Restart Windows 11 and test File Explorer.

If Explorer stops crashing after a clean boot, a third-party application or service is likely the cause. Re-enable the disabled items gradually to identify the one causing the problem.

Important: Do not disable Microsoft services. The Hide all Microsoft services option helps prevent accidental changes to essential Windows components.

Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM Scans

Corrupted or missing system files are one of the most common reasons File Explorer keeps crashing. Running System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tools scans and replaces corrupted files with cached copies.

• Press Windows + S, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
• First, run the System File Checker command sfc /scannow
• Allow the SFC scan to complete without interruption. Once complete, 100% Run DISM RestoreHealth command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
• Wait for the DISM process to complete (this may take 2-5 minutes), depending on the level of corruption.
• Once finished, restart your PC. This process will restore missing or corrupted system files that may be causing Explorer.exe to crash.

Disable Thumbnails and File Previews

If File Explorer crashes when opening a folder containing images, videos, PDFs, or other files with previews, thumbnails or preview handlers may be contributing to the problem. Disabling them can help determine whether the crash is related to how Windows generates file previews.

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click the three-dot menu (⋯) and select Options.
3. Open the View tab.
4. Select Always show icons, never thumbnails.
5. Click Apply, then OK.
6. Browse the folder that previously caused Explorer to crash.

If File Explorer becomes stable after disabling thumbnails, a particular file type, thumbnail handler, or preview component may be responsible. You can leave thumbnails disabled or re-enable them later after identifying the problematic files.

Install Pending Windows 11 Updates

Microsoft regularly releases patches and updates to fix known issues, including File Explorer stability problems. Installing the latest Windows updates can resolve bugs and compatibility issues that cause File Explorer crashes.

• Press Windows + I to open Settings
• Select Windows Update from the left menu
• Click Check for updates
• If updates are available, click Download and install
• Restart your computer after updates are installed

If you notice a recent Windows update introduced a bug that affects File Explorer performance, go to Windows Update > Update History > Uninstall updates. Select the most recent update, click Uninstall, and restart your PC.

Check OneDrive and Other Cloud Storage Apps

If File Explorer crashes when you open OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, or another synced folder, the cloud storage integration may be the cause.

First, check whether Explorer remains stable when you temporarily pause syncing. For OneDrive:

1. Click the OneDrive icon in the notification area.
2. Select Help & Settings.
3. Choose Pause syncing and select a short period.
4. Open File Explorer and browse the folder that was causing the crash.

If the crashes stop while syncing is paused, update the cloud storage app and check its settings. You can also temporarily unlink or reinstall the application if the problem continues.

Don’t delete the synced folder or its files just to test this. If the issue occurs with normal local folders as well, move on to the next fix, as cloud storage is less likely to be the cause.

Check for a Recent Driver or Hardware Change

If File Explorer started crashing after installing a new device, driver, or hardware-related utility, the change may be affecting Windows Explorer.

This is especially worth checking if the crashes began after updating a graphics, storage, or chipset driver, or after connecting a new device.

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Look for devices showing a yellow warning icon.
3. Double-click the affected device and check its status under the General tab.
4. If the problem started immediately after a driver update, open the Driver tab and check whether Roll Back Driver is available.
5. Restart Windows 11 and test File Explorer again.

If you recently installed a driver or utility and the crashes began afterward, uninstalling or rolling back that specific change can help confirm whether it is responsible.

If Device Manager shows no problems and you haven’t recently changed any hardware or drivers, skip this step and move to the next solution.

Scan for Malware or Viruses

Malware infections can modify system files, hijack Explorer.exe, or run malicious background processes that cause crashes. Running a deep scan with Windows Security or a trusted antivirus program can remove such threats.

• Open Windows Security from the Start menu.
• Go to Virus & threat protection > Scan options.
• Select Full Scan and click Scan now.
• Let it complete and remove any detected threats.

After cleaning your system, restart your PC to ensure normal operation.

Disable Third-Party Context Menu Extensions

Third-party software (such as compression tools, media players, or antivirus programs) often adds custom entries to the right-click (context) menu. If any of these extensions are faulty, they can cause File Explorer to crash when you right-click files or folders.

You can use a tool called ShellExView to identify and disable problematic extensions.

• Download ShellExView from the official NirSoft website.
• Launch it and let it load all shell extensions.
• Click on Options > Hide All Microsoft Extensions to show only third-party ones.
• Select suspicious or recently added extensions, right-click, and choose Disable Selected Items.
• Restart your computer and test File Explorer.

If the crashes stop, re-enable extensions one by one to find the culprit.

Frequently Asked Questions