How to Restart Explorer Windows 7
If you’re using Windows 7 and experiencing issues with your file explorer, restarting the explorer process can often resolve the problem. Whether it’s a glitch, a hang, or simply a need to refresh the system, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to restart explorer in Windows 7.
Step 1: Open Task Manager
The first step is to open Task Manager. There are several ways to do this:
– Press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` to open Task Manager directly.
– Right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager.”
– Press `Alt + Tab` and click on the “Task Manager” option.
Step 2: Locate the Explorer Process
Once Task Manager is open, you’ll see a list of all running processes. Scroll through the list and find “Windows Explorer” or ” explorer.exe.” This is the process you need to restart.
Step 3: End the Explorer Process
Click on “Windows Explorer” or ” explorer.exe” and then click on the “End Task” button at the bottom right corner of the window. A confirmation dialog will appear, asking if you’re sure you want to end the task. Click “End Task” again to confirm.
Step 4: Restart the Explorer Process
After ending the task, Task Manager will automatically close. You’ll notice that the taskbar and the desktop icons disappear. This is because the explorer process has been terminated. To restart it, simply press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` again to open Task Manager, and then click on “File” in the top left corner and select “New Task (Run…)”.
Step 5: Run Explorer
In the “Create New Task” window, type “explorer.exe” (without quotes) in the “Open” field and click “OK.” The file explorer will restart, and you should see your taskbar and desktop icons return.
Additional Tips
– If you’re unable to end the task in Task Manager, you can try pressing `Ctrl + Alt + Delete` and selecting “Task Manager” from the options. This will open Task Manager with administrative privileges, allowing you to end the task.
– Restarting the explorer process can also be done through the command prompt. Press `Win + R`, type “cmd” (without quotes), and press Enter. In the command prompt, type “taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F” (without quotes) and press Enter. This will force the explorer process to close. Then, follow the steps above to restart the process.
– If you continue to experience issues with the file explorer, it may be worth checking for updates or performing a system restore to a previous point in time when the system was functioning correctly.
