How to Fix the Windows Explorer Not Responding on Windows 10

The default method of system navigation is Windows Explorer. All of the files on your device can be viewed, accessed, and managed with its help. You will encounter numerous annoying issues when attempting to utilize your computer when Windows Explorer is unresponsive, frozen, or refuses to open. Regarding this matter, we are available to assist you.

In this tutorial, we will go over the steps to take if Windows Explorer stops responding on a Windows 10 computer. 

Note: File Explorer is another name for Windows Explorer. The names are distinct, yet they are interchangeable on more recent OSes. Different names don’t change the fact that they signify the same thing.

When an error occurs, why does Windows Explorer not react?

This fairly bothersome problem still has not been definitively identified as to its origin.

Windows Explorer not responding, stalling, or not opening at all might have numerous reasons, according to user reports from the Windows 10 community.

• Clearing the history in File Explorer is necessary. It is possible that Windows Explorer is acting up because your File Explorer history is full. Once you have cleared this, it should work. The instructions on how to delete items from File Explorer’s history are detailed below.
• Your display preferences have been adjusted. According to users, Windows Explorer can crash if you modify the display settings, like the text size. If you’ve recently changed the settings or allowed an application to change them, reverting is the best option.
• An old version of Windows 10 is running on your computer. Updating Windows is a must. Although it addresses numerous issues and security holes, it may introduce new, bothersome flaws. Just because you’re using an older version of Windows 10 doesn’t mean you can’t upgrade to the latest one.
• Unfortunately, your system drive is at capacity. Windows Explorer might not work properly if your system disc is full. Create some room by following our guidelines below.
• There appears to be an issue with your system. Windows Explorer may become unresponsive or unopenable due to issues with your system files. To assist you in fixing system-level issues, we have provided a list of numerous general troubleshooting solutions below.

FIX: Windows Explorer is acting up.

Now that we have eliminated the majority of the potential causes, we can go on to fixing your Windows Explorer. If Windows Explorer is acting up for any reason, we have a plethora of options to fix it.

Option 1: Use the Task Manager to trigger a system restart of Windows Explorer.

Trying to restart Windows Explorer or File Explorer is the first step.

To restart Windows Explorer or File Explorer in Windows 10 using the Task Manager, follow these steps:

• Access the Task Manager by right-clicking an empty spot on your taskbar.

• When you run Task Manager in compact mode, be sure to click on More Details.

• Click on Windows Explorer while remaining in the normal Processes tab.

• Once the Restart button appears, click on it in the window’s lower right corner.

• After Windows Explorer has restarted, please wait. There will be a brief period during which your desktop, windows, and taskbar will vanish.
• Verify that Windows Explorer is now operable.

Option 2: Use the Command Prompt to manually restart Windows Explorer.

Using the Command Prompt is another way to restart Windows Explorer / File Explorer. You can also use a command to accomplish the same thing when an automated restart is not the best option.

In order to restart Windows Explorer or File Explorer using only the Command Prompt, follow these steps:

• Launch the Run application by using the Windows + R keys.
• Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter after typing “cmd” to open a Command Prompt with administrative rights.

• To close Windows Explorer, use the following command and hit Enter to run it:
  1. explorer.exe /f /im taskkill
• Entering a command to restart Windows Explorer is the next step. Make careful to press enter after entering the command.
  1. Run the Explorer program.
• After you have closed the Command Prompt, try opening Windows Explorer again.

Option 3: You can use a batch file to restart explorer.exe.

Restarting still has not worked. Of course! Lastly, you can try ending and restarting Windows Explorer/File Explorer by making a batch (.bat) File and running it with administrative rights.

• Pick up a blank spot on your desktop by right-clicking, and then choose New → Text document.

• Create a new file called “Restart Explorer” and then open it in your preferred notepad program.
• To execute the command “taskkill /f /IM explorer.exe start explorer.exe exit,” copy and paste the following code into the page.
• Press on File and then select Save As.

• Change the filename to “Restart Explorer.bat” and hit the Save button after choosing “All Files” as the file type.

• When you right-click the Restart Explorer.bat file on your desktop, a drop-down choice will appear; select “Run as administrator” from that menu.

• Verify that Windows Explorer is now operable.

An easy way to restart Windows Explorer whenever you want is to save the batch file you just made.

Option 4: Delete all history from File Explorer.

As indicated earlier, issues might arise when the Windows Explorer/File Explorer history gets cluttered. Clearing the history is a simple solution to this problem.

• Launch the Run application by using the Windows + R keys. After entering “control,” click OK.
• Verify that you have selected the “Large Icons” setting.

• Select Options from the File Explorer menu.
• Within the Privacy area, locate and click the Clear button.

• Try using Windows Explorer again.

Option 5: Go back to the original display settings

There have been reports of users being able to continue using Windows Explorer or File Explorer normally after restoring their display settings to default.

• To access Windows’s settings, look for the Windows logo in the screen’s lower left corner and click on it. Another way to open it is to press the Windows key in addition to the icon (or the “I“).

• The System tile can be clicked.

• Never stray from the default Display tab.

• Make sure that all elements, including text and apps, have their scaling set to 100% in the Scale and layout area.

• See whether Windows Explorer is functioning correctly now.

Option 6: Free up space on your hard drive

Problems abound when the C: drive, which is used as the system drive, is full. Windows Explorer, like all other applications, needs space to store data. If this area is unavailable, Windows Explorer could not work at all.

Follow these steps to free up some space on your computer and make Windows Explorer/File Explorer work like new again. To swiftly remove unnecessary files from your smartphone, watch these video tutorials.

• How to Use Storage Sense to Free Up Space on Windows 10
• Windows 10: How to Empty Recycle Bin
• How to Clean C Drive In Windows 10

Option 7: Scan with System File Checker

An SFC (System File Checker) scan can automate the fixing of several system errors. Try launching Windows Explorer or File Explorer again if you’re seeing problems with it not responding or freezing.

• Pressing the Windows key plus R will launch the Run utility. Just press the Enter key after typing “cmd” to bring up the command prompt. Launching the Command Prompt with elevated privileges is the result of doing so.

• After entering the following command, hit the Enter key: run scannow

• Hold just a second while the System File Checker finishes checking your PC. If any issues are detected, you can easily rectify them with the SFC command. This command may also cure associated errors.

Options 8: Windows 10 Update

Updating to Windows 10 Pro would be our top recommendation if none of the previous solutions were successful.

Fixing problems like Windows Explorer or File Explorer not responding can sometimes be as simple as installing the most recent Windows 10 update. Microsoft also provides access to new features, improved security, and increased optimization.

Let me show you how to upgrade your system in no time at all.

• Launch Settings from the Start menu or press Windows + I on your keyboard.

• Select the “Update & Security” menu item.

• Select Check for updates from Windows Update.

• Select Install from the menu that appears if an update is available.

If you were experiencing the “Windows Explorer / File Explorer not responding” issue on your device, we hope that these approaches were helpful in eliminating it.