How to Fix a Corrupted Explorer.exe File in Windows 10

If you’re experiencing issues with the Explorer.exe file on your Windows 10 computer, it can be a frustrating and concerning problem. The Explorer.exe file is a crucial component of the Windows operating system, responsible for managing the graphical user interface (GUI), including the desktop, taskbar, and File Explorer. When this file becomes corrupted or goes missing, it can lead to a range of problems, such as a blank desktop, inability to access files and folders, and even system crashes.

Identifying the Issue

One of the first signs that the Explorer.exe file is corrupted or missing is when you encounter a blank desktop or are unable to access the File Explorer. You may also see error messages related to the Explorer.exe file, such as “Explorer.exe – System Error” or “Explorer.exe has stopped working.”

There are several potential causes for a corrupted Explorer.exe file, including system updates, malware infections, hardware failures, or even user-initiated changes to system files. Regardless of the underlying cause, it’s essential to address the issue promptly to restore the functionality of your Windows 10 system.

Restarting the Explorer.exe Process

One of the quickest and easiest ways to fix a corrupted Explorer.exe file is to restart the Explorer.exe process. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press Ctrl Shift Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. In the Task Manager, locate the “Windows Explorer” process and right-click on it.
3. Select “End task” to terminate the Explorer.exe process.
4. Once the process has been terminated, click on the “File” menu in the Task Manager and select “Run new task.”
5. In the “Create new task” window, type “explorer.exe” and click “OK” to start the Explorer.exe process again.

This should restore the functionality of the File Explorer and resolve any issues related to a corrupted Explorer.exe file.

Running the System File Checker (SFC) Scan

If restarting the Explorer.exe process doesn’t resolve the issue, you can try running the System File Checker (SFC) scan. The SFC scan is a built-in Windows utility that can detect and repair corrupted system files, including the Explorer.exe file. Here’s how to run the SFC scan:

1. Press the Windows key X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” to open an elevated command prompt.
2. In the command prompt, type “sfc /scannow” (without the quotes) and press Enter.
3. The SFC scan will begin, and it may take several minutes to complete. Once the scan is finished, restart your computer and check if the issue has been resolved.

If the SFC scan doesn’t fix the problem, you can try running the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tool, which can help repair corrupted system files.

Performing a Clean Boot

Another troubleshooting step you can try is to perform a clean boot. A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, which can help identify if a third-party application or driver is causing the Explorer.exe issue. Here’s how to perform a clean boot:

1. Press the Windows key R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “msconfig” and press Enter to open the System Configuration utility.
3. In the System Configuration window, go to the “Services” tab and check the “Hide all Microsoft services” box.
4. Click “Disable all” to disable all third-party services.
5. Switch to the “Startup” tab and click “Open Task Manager.”
6. In the Task Manager’s “Startup” tab, disable all startup items.
7. Close the Task Manager and the System Configuration window, then restart your computer.

   Once your computer has restarted in a clean boot state, check if the Explorer.exe issue has been resolved. If the problem is gone, it’s likely that a third-party application or driver was causing the issue. You can then gradually re-enable the disabled services and startup items to identify the culprit.

   Resetting File Explorer

   If the above steps don’t work, you can try resetting File Explorer to its default settings. This can help resolve issues related to corrupted or misconfigured File Explorer settings. Here’s how to reset File Explorer:

   1. Press the Windows key R to open the Run dialog box.
   2. Type “control” and press Enter to open the Control Panel.
   3. In the Control Panel, navigate to “Appearance and Personalization” and click on “File Explorer Options.”
   4. In the File Explorer Options window, click on the “View” tab and then click the “Reset” button under the “Reset File Explorer settings” section.
   5. Click “OK” to save the changes and close the File Explorer Options window.
   6. Restart your computer and check if the Explorer.exe issue has been resolved.

   If the problem persists, you may need to consider more advanced troubleshooting steps, such as performing a system restore or a clean reinstallation of Windows 10.

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