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Home » File Explorer Not responding after windows 10 update? Try These solutions

File Explorer Not responding after windows 10 update? Try These solutions

File explorer not working

File Explorer, previously known as Windows Explorer, is a file manager in Windows that lets you browse folders and files. The file explorer provides a graphical interface for navigating and accessing files stored on the computer. Well, sometimes you might experience Windows 10 File Explorer not responding. A few users report that after a recent Windows update, they can’t open any files through Windows Explorer. It is continuously not responding. This issue commonly occurs due to corrupted system files, buggy updates, incompatible or outdated display drivers, virus or malware infections, and more. Here is how to fix the File Explorer problem on Windows 10.

Windows Explorer has stopped working

There are several things that can cause this problem. Users who don’t update Windows regularly are the main victims of this. Some other things include outdated Windows, Corrupted system files, malware, and other virus effects, Third-party incompatible programs, etc.

Restart The Explorer

If Windows 10 File Explorer is not responding or other parts of the Windows interface are not working as expected, you can refresh the explorer.exe process by restarting it.

  1. Press keyboard shortcut alt + ctrl + del and select task manager
  2. Once Task Manager has opened, scroll down and locate Windows Explorer,
  3. right-click on the Windows Explorer process and select Restart

Note: If you don’t see the desktop icons then click on file -> Run new task -> type: explorer.exe in the Open box and click OK.

Restart windows explorer

Install Windows update

Microsoft regularly releases cumulative updates to address common bugs and vulnerabilities. Check for and install the latest Windows updates, which may include a fix for this File Explorer Not Responding issue.

  • Open the settings app using the Windows + I keyboard shortcut
  • Click on update & security than Windows update,
  • Now, click the Check for Updates button to download the update files from the Microsoft server.
  • And restart your PC to apply these updates.

Check for windows update

Clear quick access history

  • Right-click the File Explorer icon on the taskbar, then choose Unpin from the taskbar
  • Now Press Windows key + E keyboard shortcut to open File Explorer.
  • Right-click on Quick Access then select Options to open folder options.

If it is not opening, search for File Explorer Options in Control Panel.

  • Now Under the General tab, choose Clear under the Privacy category.
  • This will remove the associated cache and temporary files from the system.

Clear quick access history 

Boot Windows into Safe Mode

Safe mode is an inbuilt troubleshooting feature that disables unnecessary and programs during the startup process. Windows 10 safe mode loads the operating system with a minimal set of system device drivers just enough to boot windows os and in safe mode the startup programs, add-ons etc do not run. If Due to this problem you are unable to perform the troubleshooting steps then safe mode boot can help you a lot.  

Change display settings

Again, there are chancesthat  Display Settings are interfering with the way File Explorer displays files and folders on the screen

  • Press Windows + I on the keyboard to launch Settings and search for Display Settings to open it.
  • Under Scale and layout, set the size of text, apps, and other items to 100%. If not, change it and reboot to check if File Explorer is working again.

Change display settings

Update Graphics Card Driver

Sometimes, issues with your graphics card can make Windows Explorer unresponsive or problematic. It is possible that the video card problem is causing a restart loop in explorer.exe. Try updating the graphics card and see if that fixes the problem.

  • Press Windows + R, type devmgmt.msc and click ok,
  • This will open the Windows Device Manager, where you can find the list of all installed device drivers.
  • From here expand the Display Adapter,
  • Right-click on the installed Graphics Card Driver and select Update Driver software.
  • On Next Screen Select Search Automatically for updated driver software.
  • Then Windows will check for the latest available driver for the same.
  • If there is any new update available, download and install it. After completion, simply restart Windows and check.

If it doesn’t work, right-click the installed driver in Device Manager and click Uninstall. Then download the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website and install it. This tip works for most users.

SFC Utility to Repair Corrupted Files

System file checker utility is a command prompt syntax check the system file corruption, it scans the integrity of all protected operating system files and replaces incorrect, corrupted, changed, or damaged versions with the correct versions where possible.

  • Type cmd in the Start menu search, then right-click Command Prompt in the search results and select Run as Administrator.
  • Now type the command sfc /scannow and hit the enter key on the keyboard to execute the same.
  • This will start scanning the system for missing or corrupted system files.
  • During the Scanning process, the SFC utility will inspect all of the important Windows files on your computer, including Windows DLL files.
  • If System File Checker finds an issue with any of these protected files, it will replace them with the correct ones.
  • Wait until complete the scanning process, and restart your PC once 100% completes the scanning process.

Run system file checkerCopy Explorer.exe to the System 32 Folder

Sometimes copying Explorer.exe to the System32 folder can fix this issue.

  • Open this pc -> Windows installed Drive C -> Windows
  • Find out the explorer folder right-click on it and select copy.
  • Now look for the System 32 folder in the Same directory. Open the folder and paste the copied Explorer folder here. That’s it.

Also, refer to the video below for the steps performed to fix the Windows Explorer stopped working, keeps restarting, and Crashing problem on Windows 10.

Perform system restore

If none above solutions work for you it’s time to use the system restore feature that revert system settings to the previous working state. And that may help fix the windows explorer problem as well.

  • search for sysdm.cpl and open it.
  • Under the System Protection tab, check if the Protection Settings for the primary drive, usually the C drive where your OS is installed, is turned on. If yes, continue with the steps below.
  • In the same tab, click on System Restore. A new window will pop up. Click on Next and follow on-screen instructions.

Also read:

Robeg

I am Robeg founder of this blog. My qualification. completed Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP). With a strong background in computer applications love write articles on Microsoft Windows (11, 10, etc.) Cybersecurity, WordPress and more.

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