How to Fix explorer.exe
If you’re experiencing issues with your Windows operating system, one of the most common problems you might encounter is related to explorer.exe. Explorer.exe is the executable file responsible for managing the Windows user interface, including the taskbar, start menu, and file explorer. When explorer.exe crashes or malfunctions, it can lead to a range of issues, such as a black screen, slow performance, or the inability to access your files. In this article, we will guide you through various methods to fix explorer.exe and restore your system to normal functionality.
Method 1: Restart Your Computer
The simplest solution to fix explorer.exe issues is often to restart your computer. Sometimes, the problem might be temporary, and a restart can resolve it. To restart your computer, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Shutdown or sign out.”
2. Click on “Restart” and wait for your computer to restart.
Method 2: Run System File Checker
System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in Windows tool that scans for and fixes corrupted system files. To run SFC, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin).”
2. In the command prompt or PowerShell window, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
3. Wait for the process to complete. If any corrupted files are found, SFC will attempt to repair them.
Method 3: Run DISM Tool
Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is another built-in Windows tool that can help fix explorer.exe issues. To run DISM, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin).”
2. In the command prompt or PowerShell window, type “dism /online /cleanup-image /checkhealth” and press Enter.
3. Wait for the process to complete. If any issues are found, DISM will attempt to fix them.
Method 4: Uninstall Recently Installed Programs
Sometimes, a recently installed program might conflict with explorer.exe and cause issues. To determine if this is the case, you can try uninstalling recently installed programs and see if the problem persists. To uninstall a program, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Click on “Apps” and then “Apps & features.”
3. Scroll through the list of installed programs and select the one you want to uninstall.
4. Click on “Uninstall” and follow the on-screen instructions to remove the program.
Method 5: Reset Windows Explorer
If none of the above methods work, you can try resetting Windows Explorer to its default settings. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Windows Terminal (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin).”
2. In the command prompt or Windows Terminal window, type “net stop explorer” and press Enter.
3. Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E.
4. Close File Explorer and wait for it to restart automatically.
5. Open File Explorer again and check if the issue is resolved.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed various methods to fix explorer.exe issues on your Windows system. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve most of the problems related to explorer.exe. However, if the issue persists, it might be advisable to seek professional help or contact Microsoft support for further assistance.
