Also known as the Windows Shell, Windows Explorer is a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays the Windows Explorer file manager program, desktop icons, taskbar, task switcher, and several other elements. Windows Explorer doesn't respond and crashes, usually you'll need to restart it (and not just wait because you usually won't see any results). Although Explorer can be reloaded by restarting the computer, there is a faster and more efficient method, and this method includes reloading the computer process.
Step
Method 1 of 2: On Windows 10 and 8
Step 1. Open the Task Manager program
Since there is a possibility that the workbar is "broken" with Windows Explorer, you will need to press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Esc to open the Task Manager.
Step 2. Switch to detailed view if you are still in simple view
Click the "More details" button in the lower-left corner of the window to expand the window and see all active processes on the computer.
Step 3. Click the "Name" column heading
After that, the contents of the window will be reorganized so that you can search the Windows Explorer process more easily.
Step 4. Scroll to the "Windows processes" section at the bottom of the process list
Step 5. Click the "Windows Explorer" process entry
This entry is marked by a small file folder icon
beside him.
Step 6. Restart Windows Explorer
Click the Restart button in the lower-right corner of the Task Manager window. The current process will be terminated and the new process will be executed.
Alternatively, right-click the entry and select Restart
Method 2 of 2: Windows 7, Vista, and XP
Step 1. Open the Task Manager program
Since there is a possibility that the workbar is "broken" with Windows Explorer, you will need to press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Esc to open the Task Manager.
Step 2. Click the Processes tab
Step 3. Click the "Image Name" column heading
After that, the process entries will be sorted from A to Z so that you can search for Windows Explorer processes more easily.
Step 4. Click the "explorer.exe" process entry
Step 5. End the Windows Explorer process
Click the End Process button in the lower-right corner of the Task Manager window. The Windows Shell and Windows Explorer windows that are still open will be closed.
Step 6. Click the “File” menu on the top bar of the window
Step 7. Click New Task (Run…)
The “Run” window will be displayed.
Step 8. Launch Windows Explorer
Type explorer and click OK or press Enter. The Windows Shell GUI will reload, but previously closed Windows Explorer windows cannot be reopened.
Tips
-
Use the "Exit Explorer" option.
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By operating system version:
- On Windows 10 and 8: Press Ctrl+⇧ Shift while clicking an empty space on the workbar. Click Exit Explorer afterwards.
- On Windows 7: Open the “Start” menu, press Ctrl+⇧ Shift while clicking an empty space on the “Start” menu.
- Note: Windows Explorer will close and restart within a minute or two after the command is executed. Otherwise, open the Task Manager program, click the " File " menu, type explorer, and click OK or press Enter.
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- The Windows 7, Vista, and XP methods work on Windows 10 and 8, but you need to end the Windows Explorer process by right-clicking the entry and selecting End task.
