How to Fix Windows Explorer Has Stopped Working
Windows Explorer is a fundamental component of the Windows operating system, providing users with a graphical interface to navigate and manage files and folders. However, sometimes users may encounter the frustrating message “Windows Explorer has stopped working.” This article will guide you through several methods to fix this issue and get your Windows Explorer up and running again.
1. Restart Windows Explorer
The simplest solution to the “Windows Explorer has stopped working” error is to restart the Windows Explorer process. Here’s how to do it:
1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Go to the “Processes” tab.
3. Find “Windows Explorer” in the list of processes.
4. Right-click on it and select “End Task.”
5. Click “Yes” to confirm.
6. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc again to reopen the Task Manager.
7. Click “File” and then “Run new task.”
8. Type “explorer.exe” and press Enter.
2. Run System File Checker
System File Checker is a built-in Windows tool that scans and repairs corrupted system files. To run it:
1. Press Windows Key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin).”
2. Type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
3. Wait for the scan to complete. If any issues are found, the tool will attempt to repair them automatically.
3. Check for Windows Updates
Outdated or corrupted system files can cause Windows Explorer to stop working. Keeping your Windows up to date can help resolve this issue. Here’s how to check for updates:
1. Press Windows Key + I to open Settings.
2. Click on “Update & Security.”
3. Go to “Windows Update” and click on “Check for updates.”
4. If updates are available, install them and restart your computer.
4. Perform a Clean Boot
A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, which can help identify if a third-party application is causing the issue. To perform a clean boot:
1. Press Windows Key + R, type “msconfig,” and press Enter.
2. Go to the “Services” tab and check “Hide all Microsoft services.”
3. Click “Disable all” and then “OK.”
4. Restart your computer.
5. If Windows Explorer starts working, enable services one by one and restart your computer after each enablement to identify the problematic service.
5. Reinstall Windows Explorer
If none of the above methods work, you can try reinstalling Windows Explorer. Here’s how:
1. Press Windows Key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin).”
2. Type “net stop explorer” and press Enter.
3. Type “copy %systemroot%\system32\explorer.exe %localappdata%\explorere.exe” and press Enter.
4. Type “net start explorer” and press Enter.
5. Restart your computer.
By following these steps, you should be able to fix the “Windows Explorer has stopped working” error and restore the functionality of your Windows Explorer.
