Efficient Strategies to Restore and Revitalize Windows Explorer Functionality
How to Recover Windows Explorer
Windows Explorer is a crucial component of the Windows operating system, providing users with a graphical interface to navigate through files, folders, and other system resources. However, due to various reasons, such as system crashes, malware infections, or software conflicts, Windows Explorer might stop working or crash unexpectedly. In such cases, it is essential to recover Windows Explorer to regain access to your files and perform essential tasks. This article will guide you through the steps to recover Windows Explorer in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
1. Restart Your Computer
The first and simplest solution to recover Windows Explorer is to restart your computer. Sometimes, a temporary glitch or conflict can cause Windows Explorer to stop working. Restarting the system can resolve this issue. To restart your computer, follow these steps:
a. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
b. Click on “Update & Security.”
c. In the left pane, select “Recovery.”
d. Under “Advanced startup,” click on “Restart now.”
e. Your computer will restart, and you will see a “Choose an option” screen.
f. Select “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Startup settings.”
g. Click on “Restart.”
h. After the restart, press F4 to enable Safe Mode.
i. Once in Safe Mode, restart your computer normally by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete and selecting “Restart.”
If Windows Explorer starts working after restarting, you can continue using your computer as usual. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.
2. Run System File Checker
System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in Windows tool that scans and repairs corrupted system files. To run SFC and recover Windows Explorer, follow these steps:
a. Press the Windows key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” from the list.
b. In the command prompt or PowerShell window, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
c. SFC will scan your system files for corruption and attempt to repair them. This process may take several minutes.
d. Once the scan is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.
If Windows Explorer starts working after running SFC, you can continue using your computer. Otherwise, try the next step.
3. Run DISM Tool
Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is another built-in Windows tool that can help fix corrupted system files. To run DISM and recover Windows Explorer, follow these steps:
a. Press the Windows key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” from the list.
b. In the command prompt or PowerShell window, type the following commands one by one and press Enter:
“`
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
“`
c. DISM will scan and repair corrupted system files. This process may take some time.
d. Once the process is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.
If Windows Explorer starts working after running DISM, you can continue using your computer. Otherwise, try the next step.
4. Reset Windows Explorer
If the above methods do not work, you can try resetting Windows Explorer to its default settings. To do this, follow these steps:
a. Press the Windows key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” from the list.
b. In the command prompt or PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
reg delete HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer /v Shell /f
“`
c. Close the command prompt or PowerShell window.
d. Restart your computer.
If Windows Explorer starts working after resetting, you can continue using your computer. Otherwise, you may need to perform a system restore or reinstall Windows.
5. Perform a System Restore
If none of the above methods work, you can try performing a system restore to a point where Windows Explorer was functioning correctly. To perform a system restore, follow these steps:
a. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
b. Click on “Update & Security.”
c. In the left pane, select “Recovery.”
d. Under “Advanced startup,” click on “Restart now.”
e. Your computer will restart, and you will see a “Choose an option” screen.
f. Select “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “System Restore.”
g. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your system to a previous point.
If Windows Explorer starts working after performing a system restore, you can continue using your computer. Otherwise, you may need to reinstall Windows.
6. Reinstall Windows Explorer
If all else fails, you can try reinstalling Windows Explorer. To do this, follow these steps:
a. Press the Windows key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” from the list.
b. In the command prompt or PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
regsvr32 /u shell32.dll
“`
c. Wait for the command to complete, then type the following command and press Enter:
“`
regsvr32 shell32.dll
“`
d. Close the command prompt or PowerShell window.
e. Restart your computer.
If Windows Explorer starts working after reinstalling, you can continue using your computer. Otherwise, you may need to consider reinstalling Windows.
By following these steps, you should be able to recover Windows Explorer and regain access to your files and system resources. If you continue to experience issues, it is recommended to seek professional assistance.