Guide: Fix ‘Windows 10 File Explorer Not Responding’ Issue
File Explorer is the tool you use to browse the files stored in the hard drive in Windows 10 OS. Imagine a situation where you need to use a certain file urgently and the file explorer stops responding or does not start. Note that after the release of Windows 10, Microsoft changed the name Windows Explorer to File Explorer. However, if you open Task Manager, you will see a process called ‘Windows Explorer’ instead of File Explorer running even with a folder open in the background. I’m not sure why Microsoft made the change in the first place, but it’s their OS so they know it best. Let’s see how to fix Windows or File Explorer error.
1. Reboot
Restarting your computer can fix quite a few Windows OS related problems. This is why we at GT continue to recommend it to our users. This is usually where your troubleshooting should begin.
Click the Windows icon and select the Restart option under Power buttonCheck if the file explorer works after the computer is restarted.
2. Install updates
Windows releases many patches and updates to address common bugs and vulnerabilities. These updates solve many problems. Sometimes you can fix past problems by installing them on your computer. Press the Windows key + I shortcut to launch Settings and click Update & security.
Under the Windows Update tab, you will see pending updates waiting to be downloaded or installed. Install and restart your PC to check if File Explorer is working again.
3. Free Up Space
The file explorer may not work because there is no more space on your hard drive. Saving too many files? You need to delete some files or transfer them to an external hard drive or flash drive to make space for the File Explorer to work. Here’s one guide On how to achieve that with Storage Sense.
4. Restart Windows Explorer
Whenever you open a folder, a process called Windows Explorer starts and runs in the background. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on the keyboard to start Task Manager. Find Windows Explorer under Processes, right-click on it and select Restart.
What if you can’t see Windows Explorer in Task Manager? Then you have to start it manually. To do this, click on File and select Run New Task.
Type Explorer in the specified field and press OK to start Windows Explorer. Select Create this task with administrator rights to start it with administrator rights.
5. Clear the quick access history
Press the Windows key + E shortcut to open the file explorer. Right-click on Quick access to select Options. If it doesn’t open, look for File Explorer options in Control Panel.
On the General tab, click Clear next to Clear file explorer history to delete the associated cache and temporary files from the system.
6. Change the display settings
Maybe your display settings are interfering with the way File Explorer displays files and folders on the screen? To check this, press Ctrl + I to launch Settings and search for Display settings to open it.
Under Scale and Layout, the size of text, apps, and other items should be set to 100%. If not, change it and reboot to check if File Explorer is working again.
7. Update video drivers
Drivers are usually a set of files that allow hardware or software to connect and communicate with the operating system. They play a vital role in the functioning of your Windows computer and may be responsible for the file explorer not working. Here are links to popular computer manufacturers’ site where you can download them. I recommend restarting your computer once after the drivers are installed before checking if File Explorer is working or not.
8. Troubleshoot
Windows 10 comes with a troubleshooting option in System Maintenance to fix common errors and bugs in the system. To run it, launch Control Panel and search for Troubleshooting. Inside, click on system maintenance.
Once a new window opens, click Next to start a run.
Follow the on-screen instructions in case an error is detected.
9. SFC and DISM scan
SFC checks your system files for irregularities and corruption and if possible repairs them without you having to do anything else. The DISM command will maintain and repair Windows image files. Do not you get it? You don’t have to. Right click on Start button and select either Command Prompt or PowerShell with Admin written in brackets.
Now type the commands below one by one and hit Enter to run them. sfc / scannowDISM / Online / Cleanup-Image / RestoreHealth
Check again if the file explorer is working again.
10. Repair Windows
Windows comes with a fix feature where the system backs up from time to timeup of your computer. You can restore any of those backups at any time. To do this, search for sysdm.cpl and open it.
Under the System Protection tab, verify that the security settings for the primary drive, usually the C drive on which your operating system is installed, is enabled. If so, then proceed with the steps below.
In the same tab, click on System Restore. A new window will appear upClick on Next.
You should now see a list of all the restore points your operating system has created. In my case, there is one that was made 3 days ago. Click Finish to start the process and wait for it to complete. This may take a while, so grab some popcorn and put on the headphones. This almost always solves the problem.
Explore your world
File Explorer is like a window that you can use to explore Windows. Without it, your typical Windows experience will look incomplete. Either way, by the time you get to the 10th solution, you should have a working file explorer on your computer. Restoring your entire Windows installation should be your last resort. The next up: Are you a gamer? Are you getting a high ping on Windows 10? Here’s one guide to help you reduce it.
Fix ‘Windows 10 File Explorer Not Responding’ Issue: benefits
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