How do I restart Windows Explorer?
Windows Explorer is a crucial component of the Windows operating system, responsible for managing files, folders, and other system resources. However, sometimes Windows Explorer may encounter issues, causing it to become unresponsive or crash. Restarting Windows Explorer can help resolve these problems. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to restart Windows Explorer on your Windows PC.
Method 1: Restart Windows Explorer through Task Manager
1. Press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` to open Task Manager.
2. In the Processes tab, scroll down and find “Windows Explorer” in the list of running processes.
3. Right-click on “Windows Explorer” and select “Restart.”
4. Wait for a few seconds, and Windows Explorer will restart automatically.
Method 2: Restart Windows Explorer through Command Prompt
1. Press `Win + X` and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” from the menu.
2. In the Command Prompt or PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F
“`
3. This command will force close the Windows Explorer process.
4. After a few seconds, the command prompt will display a message indicating that the process has been terminated.
5. Close the Command Prompt window and press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` to open Task Manager again.
6. In the Processes tab, find “Windows Explorer” and right-click on it, then select “Restart.”
Method 3: Restart Windows Explorer through Registry Editor
1. Press `Win + R`, type “regedit” in the Run dialog, and press Enter to open Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to the following key:
“`
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
“`
3. On the right pane, find a DWORD (32-bit) value named “Shell” and double-click on it.
4. Set the value data to “explorer.exe” and click “OK.”
5. Close Registry Editor and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
By following these methods, you should be able to restart Windows Explorer and resolve any issues you may be experiencing. If the problem persists, consider performing a system restore or seeking further assistance from a professional.
