ByWindows 11 is a state-of-the-art operating system, but sometimes users face problems like File Explorer Not Responding. When File Explorer stops working, the system performance is affected, and it also becomes difficult to access files. In this article, we are sharing 11 effective solutions with the help of which you can solve this problem permanently.
1. Restart File Explorer
The first and easiest way is to restart File Explorer.
Steps:
Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
Click on “Windows Explorer”.
Click on the Restart button at the bottom right.
This process refreshes File Explorer, and sometimes minor problems are solved by it.
2. Update Windows
Sometimes, File Explorer does not respond due to an outdated Windows version.
Steps:
Go to Settings > Windows Update.
Click on Check for Updates.
If any update is available, install it.
3. Clear cache and thumbnails
File Explorer’s cache and thumbnails can also slow down the system.
Steps:
Go to Control Panel > File Explorer Options > View tab.
Select “Always show icons, never thumbnails”.
Click on Apply and OK.
Run Disk Cleanup and select “Thumbnails” to clean it.
4. Scan system files from the Command Prompt
System file corruption can also freeze Explorer. For this, run the SFC and DISM commands.
Steps:
Type cmd in the Start menu, right click, and select “Run as Administrator”.
Type:
“`
sfc /scannow
“`
Then type:
“`
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
“`
These commands repair corrupted files.
5. Clear File Explorer History
When File Explorer’s history is full, it can become slow or non-responsive.
Steps:
Go to Control Panel > File Explorer Options > General tab.
Click on the “Clear” button.
6. Boot in Safe Mode
Booting in Safe Mode helps to check if a third-party app is causing the problem.
Steps:
Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now.
After a restart, go to “Startup Settings” and select “Enable Safe Mode”.
Check here if Explorer is working properly or not.
7. Create a New User Account
Sometimes the user profile itself gets corrupted.
Steps:
Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add account.
Create a new user and log in.
See if Explorer is working in the new account.
8. Reset File Explorer to Default Settings
Resetting File Explorer settings can sometimes prove to be helpful.
Steps:
Open Control Panel > File Explorer Options.
Go to the General and View tabs and click on Restore Defaults.
Press Apply > OK.
9. Disable Shell Extensions
Third-party context menu handlers can cause File Explorer to crash.
Solution:
Download a tool called ShellExView.
Disable all non-Microsoft extensions.
Enable them one by one and see which extension is causing the problem.
10. Update Drivers
Outdated or corrupt Display Drivers can also freeze File Explorer.
Steps:
Open Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager).
Click on “Display Adapters”.
Right-click on your GPU > Select Update Driver.
11. Check Windows Explorer Startup Entries
Sometimes, unnecessary startup programs slow down Explorer.
Steps:
Open Task Manager > Go to Startup tab.
Disable apps that are not necessary.
Additional Tips:
Start the system in Clean Boot once.
Try turning off the Antivirus or Firewall temporarily.
If you have recently installed any new software, try uninstalling it.
Conclusion
File Explorer Not Responding is a common but annoying issue for Windows 11 users. One of the 11 solutions mentioned above will solve your problem. If the problem persists, you may need to reset or reinstall Windows as a last resort.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) — Problems related to File Explorer Not Responding in Windows 11
Question 1: Why does File Explorer freeze frequently in Windows 11?
Answer: This could be due to thumbnail cache, corrupt system files, outdated drivers, or third-party software interfering with the Explorer’s operation.
Question 2: Can restarting Windows Explorer delete data?
Answer: No, simply restarting Windows Explorer does not delete any of your data. It just refreshes File Explorer.
Question 3: What to do if File Explorer is running in Safe Mode but not in Normal Mode?
Answer: This indicates that a third-party app or service is causing the problem. You can find out which service is causing the problem by performing a Clean Boot.
Question 4: Does clearing File Explorer History make a difference?
Answer: Yes, Explorer history fills up over time, which can slow it down. Clearing it may improve performance.
Question 5: Is resetting Windows a last resort?
Answer: When all the above solutions fail and Explorer still doesn’t work, resetting Windows is the only effective option.
Question 6: Is there any alternative third-party software for File Explorer?
Answer: Yes, there are third-party file managers available such as “Total Commander,” “Directory Opus” and “XYplorer,” but we recommend fixing Windows Explorer first.
Question 7: How to check the File Explorer Crash Log?
Answer: Open Event Viewer (Windows + X > Event Viewer), then go to Windows Logs > Application and look for Error Logs related to Explorer.exe.
Question 8: Can System Restore fix File Explorer problems?
Answer: If you have made any recent changes (such as installing new software), System Restore may fix the problem by going back to an older point.
Question 9: What are Shell Extensions, and is it safe to disable them?
Answer: These are extensions added to Explorer’s Context Menu by third-party applications. It is safe to temporarily disable all but Microsoft’s.
Question 10: How do I reset File Explorer’s default settings?
Answer: Go to Control Panel > File Explorer Options > General and then View tab, click Restore Defaults, and then Apply.
