How to Repair explorer.exe in Windows 10
Windows 10 is a robust and versatile operating system, but like any software, it can encounter issues from time to time. One common problem that users may face is the explorer.exe error, which can lead to the Windows File Explorer crashing or not opening at all. In this article, we will guide you through several methods on how to repair explorer.exe in Windows 10.
Method 1: Restart Windows Explorer
The simplest solution to fix explorer.exe issues is to restart the Windows Explorer process. Here’s how to do it:
1. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys 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 File > New Task (Run).
6. Type “explorer.exe” in the text box and press Enter.
7. Windows File Explorer should now restart.
Method 2: Run System File Checker
The System File Checker is a built-in Windows tool that scans for and fixes corrupted system files. To run it, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows + X keys and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. In the command prompt or PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
sfc /scannow
“`
3. Wait for the process to complete. If any corrupted files are found, the tool will attempt to repair them.
4. Restart your computer to apply the changes.
Method 3: Use DISM Tool
The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool can help fix issues with Windows system files. Here’s how to use it:
1. Open Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
“`
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
“`
3. Wait for the process to complete. If any issues are found, the tool will report them.
4. Next, run the following command to repair the system files:
“`
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
“`
5. Finally, run the following command to apply the repairs:
“`
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
“`
6. Restart your computer to apply the changes.
Method 4: Reset Windows Explorer
Resetting Windows Explorer can help resolve issues related to the explorer.exe process. To do this:
1. Open the Control Panel and go to Programs > Programs and Features.
2. Click on Turn Windows features on or off on the left side.
3. Scroll down and expand the Windows Explorer option.
4. Uncheck the Windows Explorer option and click OK.
5. Restart your computer.
6. After the restart, go back to the Windows Features dialog and check the Windows Explorer option again.
7. Click OK and restart your computer once more.
Conclusion
By following these methods, you should be able to repair explorer.exe in Windows 10 and resolve any issues related to the Windows File Explorer. If the problem persists, consider seeking professional help or contacting Microsoft Support for further assistance.
