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Windows Explorer is an essential component of the Windows operating system that allows you to browse and manage files and folders on your computer. However, at times, you may encounter an error message stating "Windows Explorer has stopped working," causing your file navigation and management to become disrupted. In this tutorial, we will guide you through several steps to correct the Windows Explorer 11 has stopped working error.
Step 1: Disable Add-ons and Extensions
The first step to resolve the Windows Explorer error is to disable any add-ons or extensions that might be causing conflicts. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Launch Internet Explorer by typing "Internet Explorer" in the Windows search bar or finding it in the Start menu.
2. Click on the gear icon in the top-right corner of the browser window to access the settings menu.
3. From the drop-down menu, select "Manage add-ons."
4. In the Manage Add-ons window, go through the list of add-ons and extensions and disable any that you suspect may be causing the error.
5. After disabling the add-ons, restart your computer and check if the Windows Explorer error persists.
Step 2: Run System File Checker
System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in Windows utility that helps you scan and repair corrupted system files. To run SFC and fix any potential issues, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" from the menu that appears. This will open an elevated Command Prompt.
2. In the Command Prompt window, type "sfc /scannow" (without quotes) and press Enter. Wait for the scan to complete.
3. Once the scan is finished, restart your computer and check if the Windows Explorer error has been resolved.
Step 3: Clear File Explorer History and Cache
Clearing the File Explorer history and cache can also help resolve the Windows Explorer error. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open File Explorer by pressing Windows key + E.
2. Click on the "File" tab in the top-left corner of the window.
3. From the drop-down menu, select "Options."
4. In the Folder Options window, click on the "General" tab.
5. Under the "Privacy" section, click on the "Clear" button next to the "Clear File Explorer history" option.
6. Check the boxes for the items you want to clear, such as "File and Folder History" and "Cache," and click on "Clear."
7. Restart your computer and check if the Windows Explorer error has been resolved.
Step 4: Update or Reinstall Graphics Drivers
Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can sometimes cause the Windows Explorer error. Updating or reinstalling the drivers can help fix the issue. Here’s how:
1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select "Device Manager."
2. In the Device Manager window, expand the "Display adapters" category.
3. Right-click on your graphics card and select "Update driver" from the context menu. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver.
4. If updating the driver doesn’t resolve the issue, right-click on your graphics card again and select "Uninstall device." Confirm the uninstallation.
5. Restart your computer, and Windows will automatically reinstall the graphics driver.
6. After the driver installation, check if the Windows Explorer error has been resolved.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Disabling add-ons and extensions can help identify and resolve conflicts causing the error. | 1. Disabling add-ons and extensions may limit some browser functionality. |
| 2. Running System File Checker can fix corrupted system files that may be causing the error. | 2. The SFC scan process can take a while to complete, depending on the size of your system files. |
| 3. Clearing File Explorer history and cache can resolve issues related to stored data. | 3. Clearing history and cache may remove personalized settings and preferences. |
| 4. Updating or reinstalling graphics drivers can address compatibility issues. | 4. Advanced troubleshooting may be required if the issue persists. |
Video Tutorial:How do I restore Windows 11 without reinstalling?
What replaced Internet Explorer in Windows 11?
In Windows 11, Microsoft has replaced Internet Explorer with Microsoft Edge as the default web browser. This transition was made to provide users with a more modern and feature-rich browsing experience.
There are several reasons behind this change:
1. Enhanced Performance and Compatibility: Microsoft Edge offers improved performance and better compatibility with modern web technologies. It utilizes a redesigned Chromium-based engine, which provides faster browsing speeds and better website compatibility compared to Internet Explorer.
2. Enhanced Security: Internet Explorer had multiple security vulnerabilities over the years, which made it a less secure option for browsing the internet. On the other hand, Microsoft Edge incorporates various security features such as SmartScreen to protect users from phishing attempts, malware, and other online threats.
3. Modern and User-Friendly Interface: Microsoft Edge comes with a refreshed and intuitive user interface, making it easier for users to navigate websites, manage tabs, and access essential features. It offers a more refined and modern browsing experience compared to the outdated interface of Internet Explorer.
4. Seamless Integration with Windows 11: Microsoft Edge is tightly integrated into the Windows 11 operating system, providing a more seamless experience. It supports system-wide features like integration with the taskbar, snap layouts, and improved touch gestures. This integration enables users to have a consistent browsing experience across their Windows 11 devices.
To sum up, Microsoft decided to retire Internet Explorer and replace it with Microsoft Edge in Windows 11 to provide users with enhanced performance, improved security, a modern interface, and seamless integration with the latest operating system.
How do I get Windows Explorer back to normal?
To restore Windows Explorer to its default settings, follow these steps:
1. Close all open File Explorer windows: Make sure you have closed all instances of File Explorer.
2. Open Task Manager: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc or right-click on the taskbar and select "Task Manager".
3. Restart the Windows Explorer process: In the "Processes" or "Details" tab of Task Manager, find "Windows Explorer" from the list. Right-click on it, and select "Restart". This will terminate and restart the File Explorer process.
4. Reset File Explorer settings: Open the "File Explorer Options". You can do this by searching for "File Explorer Options" in the Start menu or Control Panel. Alternatively, you can access it through the "View" tab in any File Explorer window. In the "File Explorer Options" window, click on the "Reset" button under the "Reset File Explorer" section. Then, click "Apply" and "OK" to save the changes.
5. Restart your computer: To ensure that the changes take effect, restart your computer. After the restart, Windows Explorer should be restored to its default settings.
By following these steps, you should be able to get Windows Explorer back to its normal state without any issues.
How do I fix corrupted File Explorer?
If you’re experiencing a corrupted File Explorer on your device, there are several steps you can follow to address and fix the issue. Here’s a professional approach to resolving a corrupted File Explorer:
1. Restart your computer:
Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches or errors. Close all programs, save your work, and restart your computer. This simple step can often fix minor issues, including problems with the File Explorer.
2. Perform a system file check:
The Windows operating system includes a built-in System File Checker (SFC) utility that can help fix corrupted or missing system files. Follow these steps:
– Launch Command Prompt with administrative privileges (search for "Command Prompt," right-click, and select "Run as administrator").
– In the command prompt window, type "sfc /scannow" (without quotes) and hit Enter.
– The SFC utility will scan your system files and replace any corrupted or missing files it detects. This process may take some time, so be patient.
– Once the scan completes, restart your computer and check if the File Explorer issue persists.
3. Reset the File Explorer cache:
Resetting the File Explorer cache can help resolve issues related to its functioning. To do this:
– Launch Task Manager by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting "Task Manager."
– In the Task Manager, go to the "Processes" tab and find "Windows Explorer" in the list. Right-click on it and select "End task."
– After the Windows Explorer process ends, go to the "File" menu in the Task Manager and select "Run new task."
– In the "Create new task" window, type "explorer.exe" (without quotes) and click "OK."
– This will restart the File Explorer with a refreshed cache, potentially resolving any corruption issues.
4. Run a disk check:
Running a disk check can help identify and fix errors on your computer’s hard drive that may be affecting the File Explorer. Here’s how you can do it:
– Open a Command Prompt with administrative privileges.
– Type "chkdsk C: /f" (without quotes) and hit Enter. Replace "C:" with the appropriate drive letter if your Windows installation is on a different drive.
– You’ll be prompted to schedule a disk check to be performed during the next system restart. Type "Y" (without quotes) and press Enter.
– Restart your computer, and during startup, the disk check utility will run and attempt to fix any errors it finds.
– Once the disk check completes, check if the File Explorer issue has been resolved.
5. Update your operating system and drivers:
Outdated operating system or driver files may sometimes cause conflicts or problems with the File Explorer. Ensure that your Windows operating system is up to date with the latest patches and updates from Microsoft. Additionally, check if there are any pending driver updates for your hardware. Visit the manufacturer’s website or use Windows Device Manager to update your drivers.
By following these steps, you should be able to address and fix a corrupted File Explorer on your computer, providing you with a smoother and more functional experience. Remember that these troubleshooting steps apply specifically to Windows-based systems.
How do I restore Windows Explorer in Windows 11?
Restoring Windows Explorer in Windows 11 can be done by following these steps:
1. Open the Task Manager: Right-click on the taskbar and select "Task Manager" from the context menu or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch it directly.
2. In the Task Manager, click on the "File" menu at the top left corner and choose "Run new task" from the dropdown menu.
3. In the "Create new task" window that appears, type "explorer.exe" (without quotes) and click on the "OK" button.
4. This will start a new instance of the Windows Explorer, and you should see the familiar file explorer interface on your screen.
If Windows Explorer does not respond or crashes frequently, it might be due to issues with third-party shell extensions. You can try to troubleshoot and resolve this problem by following these steps:
1. Open the Task Manager as mentioned above.
2. In the Task Manager, go to the "Startup" tab.
3. Here, you will find a list of programs and processes that start automatically with Windows. Look for any third-party programs or shell extensions that might be causing conflicts.
4. Disable any suspicious or unnecessary startup items by right-clicking on them and selecting "Disable" from the context menu.
5. Restart your computer and check if the issue with Windows Explorer has been resolved.
If the problem persists, you can try updating your graphics drivers, running a system file check, or performing a clean boot to identify any conflicting software.
How do I get rid of Windows Explorer has stopped working?
If you encounter the error message "Windows Explorer has stopped working" on your computer, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:
1. Restart Windows Explorer: The first step is to try restarting the Windows Explorer process. To do this, you can open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, find "Windows Explorer" in the list of processes, right-click on it, and select "Restart."
2. Update Windows: Outdated system files or incompatible software may cause Windows Explorer to stop working. Make sure your Windows OS is up to date by going to the Settings menu, selecting "Update & Security," and choosing "Windows Update." If there are any pending updates, install them and restart your computer.
3. Update your drivers: Outdated or corrupted device drivers can also lead to issues with Windows Explorer. To update your drivers, you can visit the manufacturer’s website for each component (e.g., graphics card, sound card), locate the latest drivers for your specific model, and install them. Alternatively, you can use driver update software to simplify the process.
4. Run a malware scan: Malware or viruses can interfere with Windows Explorer’s normal operation. Use a reliable antivirus software to perform a thorough scan of your system and remove any detected threats. Make sure your antivirus software is up to date with the latest virus definitions.
5. Check for faulty software or conflicting extensions: Sometimes, third-party software or browser extensions can cause conflicts with Windows Explorer. To identify problematic software or extensions, you can perform a clean boot. This process disables all non-Windows services and startup programs, allowing you to determine if any of them are causing the issue. Instructions for performing a clean boot can be found on Microsoft’s support website.
6. Repair system files: Windows has a built-in System File Checker (SFC) tool that can scan for and repair corrupted system files. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type "sfc /scannow" (without quotes). The tool will scan your system and replace any damaged files if necessary. Once the process is complete, restart your computer.
7. Create a new user profile: If the issue persists, it might be related to your user profile. Create a new user account and see if the problem occurs in the new profile. If Windows Explorer functions normally in the new account, you can consider transferring your files and settings to the new profile or continue using it.
Remember to back up your important files before attempting any major troubleshooting steps or modifications to your system. If all else fails, seeking assistance from a professional technician or contacting Microsoft support can provide further guidance.