Reviving explorer.exe- A Step-by-Step Guide to Restoring Your Windows File Explorer

How to Get explorer.exe Back: A Step-by-Step Guide

In the world of computing, the Windows Explorer (explorer.exe) is a crucial component that provides users with the interface to navigate through their files and folders. However, there are instances when explorer.exe may crash or stop working, leaving users unable to access their files. If you find yourself in such a situation, worry not, as we have compiled a step-by-step guide on how to get explorer.exe back up and running.

Step 1: Restart Your Computer

The first and simplest solution to get explorer.exe back is to restart your computer. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve the issue and restore the functionality of explorer.exe. To restart your computer, press the power button and select “Restart” from the menu.

Step 2: Use the Task Manager

If restarting your computer doesn’t work, you can try using the Task Manager to end the explorer.exe process and then restart it. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Go to the “Processes” tab.
3. Find explorer.exe in the list of processes.
4. Right-click on explorer.exe and select “End Task.”
5. Click “Yes” to confirm the action.
6. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc again to reopen the Task Manager.
7. Go to the “File” menu and select “Run new task.”
8. Type “explorer.exe” in the “Create new task” window and press Enter.

Step 3: Run System File Checker

If the Task Manager method doesn’t work, you can try running the System File Checker tool, which scans and repairs corrupted system files. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press Windows key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” from the list.
2. In the command prompt or PowerShell window, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
3. Wait for the process to complete. It may take some time to scan and repair the files.
4. Restart your computer after the process is finished.

Step 4: Perform a System Restore

If the above methods don’t work, you can try performing a system restore to a previous point when explorer.exe was functioning correctly. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “rstrui.exe” and press Enter.
3. In the System Restore window, click “Next.”
4. Choose a restore point before the issue occurred and click “Next.”
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the system restore process.
6. Restart your computer after the restore is finished.

Step 5: Reinstall Windows Explorer

If all else fails, you can try reinstalling Windows Explorer. Here’s how to do it:

1. Insert the Windows installation disc or USB drive into your computer.
2. Restart your computer and boot from the installation media.
3. Select your language, time, and keyboard preferences, and click “Next.”
4. Click “Install now.”
5. Accept the license terms and click “Next.”
6. Select “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” and click “Next.”
7. In the “Drive Options (advanced)” section, select the partition where Windows is installed and click “Next.”
8. Click “Next” again to start the installation process.
9. Once the installation is complete, your computer will restart, and Windows Explorer should be working again.

By following these steps, you should be able to get explorer.exe back up and running on your Windows computer. If you continue to experience issues, it may be best to seek professional assistance.