How to Uninstall Explorer in Windows 7
Are you looking to uninstall the Windows Explorer in Windows 7? While it is not a common practice to remove the Windows Explorer, there may be certain scenarios where you might want to do so. Whether it’s due to a corrupted file or an experimental setup, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to uninstall Explorer in Windows 7.
Step 1: Create a System Restore Point
Before proceeding with uninstalling the Windows Explorer, it is crucial to create a system restore point. This ensures that you can revert back to the previous state if anything goes wrong during the uninstallation process.
1. Click on the Start button and type “System Restore” in the search box.
2. Click on the “Create a restore point” option.
3. In the System Properties window, click on the “Create” button.
4. Give the restore point a name and click “Create” again.
5. Wait for the system restore point to be created.
Step 2: Disable Windows Explorer
Once you have created a system restore point, you can proceed to disable the Windows Explorer. This will prevent the explorer.exe process from running, effectively uninstalling it from your system.
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
4. In the right pane, double-click on the “NoFolderOptions” value.
5. Change the value data from 0 to 1 and click “OK”.
6. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
Step 3: Remove Explorer.exe from System32
Now that Windows Explorer is disabled, you can proceed to remove the explorer.exe file from the System32 folder.
1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the list.
2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: `DEL /Q C:\Windows\System32\explorer.exe`
3. You will receive a confirmation message. Type “Y” and press Enter to confirm the deletion.
Step 4: Create a Shortcut to Re-enable Windows Explorer
To re-enable Windows Explorer in case you need it later, you can create a shortcut that will start the explorer.exe process.
1. Right-click on the desktop and select “New” > “Shortcut”.
2. In the “Type the location of the item” field, type the following path: `C:\Windows\System32\explorer.exe`
3. Click “Next”, give the shortcut a name (e.g., “Windows Explorer”), and click “Finish”.
4. Double-click on the newly created shortcut to start Windows Explorer.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can successfully uninstall the Windows Explorer in Windows 7. However, it is important to note that this process is not recommended for regular use, as it can cause system instability. Always ensure you have a system restore point before making any significant changes to your system.
