How to Restart Explorer in Windows 7
If you’re using Windows 7 and find that your file explorer isn’t functioning properly, restarting the explorer process can often resolve the issue. Whether it’s due to a corrupted file, a stuck process, or any other reason, 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. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard, or by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting “Task Manager” from the menu.
Step 2: Navigate to the Processes Tab
Once Task Manager is open, click on the “Processes” tab. This tab will display a list of all the processes currently running on your computer.
Step 3: Find the Explorer Process
Scroll through the list of processes until you find “Explorer” in the list. This is the process that controls your file explorer.
Step 4: End the Explorer Process
Right-click on the “Explorer” process and select “End Task.” A confirmation dialog will appear asking if you’re sure you want to end the task. Click “End Task” to proceed.
Step 5: Restart the Explorer Process
After ending the Explorer process, you’ll notice that the taskbar and start menu disappear. To restart the explorer process, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc again to open Task Manager. Then, click on the “File” menu at the top left corner of the window and select “New Task (Run…)”.
Step 6: Run Explorer
In the “Create New Task” dialog, type “explorer.exe” (without quotes) in the “Open” field and click “OK.” This will restart the explorer process, and your file explorer should now be functioning properly.
Additional Tips
– If you’re unable to end the Explorer process using Task Manager, you can try using the System Configuration utility to restart explorer. To do this, press Windows + R, type “msconfig” in the Run dialog, and press Enter. Go to the “Services” tab, find “Windows Explorer,” and select “Disable.” Restart your computer, then go back to the “Services” tab and enable “Windows Explorer.”
– If you’re still experiencing issues with your file explorer, you can try running the System File Checker to repair corrupted system files. To do this, press Windows + R, type “sfc /scannow” in the Run dialog, and press Enter. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the scan and repair any corrupted files.
Restarting the explorer process in Windows 7 can be a quick and effective solution to various file explorer-related issues. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve most problems and get your file explorer back up and running smoothly.
