How to Restart Windows File Explorer
Are you experiencing slow performance or unresponsive behavior from the Windows File Explorer? Restarting the File Explorer can often resolve these issues and help improve your overall system performance. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to restart Windows File Explorer on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Method 1: Restart File Explorer from Task Manager
1. Press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` to open the Task Manager.
2. In the Processes tab, find “Windows Explorer” in the list of running processes.
3. Right-click on “Windows Explorer” and select “Restart.”
4. The File Explorer will close and restart automatically.
Method 2: Restart File Explorer from Command Prompt
1. Press `Win + X` and select “Windows Terminal (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the menu.
2. In the Command Prompt or Windows Terminal, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F
“`
3. After the command is executed, type the following command to restart the File Explorer:
“`
start explorer.exe
“`
4. The File Explorer will close and restart automatically.
Method 3: Restart File Explorer from PowerShell
1. Press `Win + X` and select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” from the menu.
2. In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F
“`
3. After the command is executed, type the following command to restart the File Explorer:
“`
start explorer.exe
“`
4. The File Explorer will close and restart automatically.
Method 4: Restart File Explorer from Settings
1. Press `Win + I` to open the Settings app.
2. Go to “System” > “Apps & features” > “Startup.”
3. Scroll down and find “Windows Explorer” in the list of startup apps.
4. Click on “Windows Explorer” and select “Disable.”
5. Click “OK” to confirm the changes.
6. After a few seconds, click “Enable” to restart the File Explorer.
By following these methods, you can easily restart the Windows File Explorer and potentially resolve any performance issues you may be experiencing. Remember that restarting the File Explorer can also help clear temporary files and improve system responsiveness.
