File Explorer, also known as Windows Explorer, is an essential component of the Windows operating system. It allows users to navigate, manage, and access files and folders on their devices. However, some Windows 10 users have reported an annoying issue where File Explorer keeps closing unexpectedly, making it frustratingly difficult to work with files and folders. In this article, we’ll delve into the possible reasons behind this issue and provide solutions to help you fix it.
Causes of File Explorer Crashes in Windows 10
Before we dive into the solutions, it’s essential to understand the factors that contribute to File Explorer crashes. Several reasons can cause File Explorer to close unexpectedly, including:
Corrupted System Files and Registry Entries
Over time, system files and registry entries can become corrupted, leading to issues with File Explorer. This corruption can occur due to various reasons, including malware infections, software conflicts, and disk errors.
Outdated or Faulty Device Drivers
Device drivers play a crucial role in ensuring that hardware components function properly. Outdated or faulty drivers can cause system instability, including File Explorer crashes.
Resource-Intensive Programs and Background Processes
Resource-hungry programs and background processes can consume system resources, causing File Explorer to become unresponsive and eventually close. This is especially true if you have multiple resource-intensive programs running simultaneously.
Malware and Virus Infections
Malware and virus infections can compromise system stability, causing File Explorer to crash or close unexpectedly.
File System Errors and Corruption
File system errors and corruption can lead to issues with File Explorer, including sudden closures. This can occur due to various reasons, including power failures, disk errors, and software conflicts.
Troubleshooting and Fixing File Explorer Crashes in Windows 10
Now that we’ve explored the potential causes of File Explorer crashes, let’s dive into the troubleshooting and fixing process.
Method 1: Restart Windows Explorer
The simplest solution is to restart Windows Explorer. To do this, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “taskkill /im explorer.exe” and press Enter.
- This will kill the Windows Explorer process. Wait for a few seconds and then press the Windows key + E to restart Windows Explorer.
Method 2: Disable Third-Party Extensions and Shell Extensions
Third-party extensions and shell extensions can sometimes interfere with File Explorer, causing it to crash. To disable them, follow these steps:
- Open File Explorer and click on the “View” tab.
- Uncheck the boxes next to “Display as a link” and “Display as icons” for all third-party extensions.
- Restart File Explorer and check if the issue persists.
Method 3: Run the System File Checker (SFC) Tool
The System File Checker (SFC) tool is a built-in utility that scans and replaces corrupted system files. To run the SFC tool, follow these steps:
- Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
- The SFC tool will scan and replace corrupted system files.
Method 4: Run the DISM Tool
The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool is a built-in utility that fixes corrupted system files and registry entries. To run the DISM tool, follow these steps:
- Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type “dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth” and press Enter.
- The DISM tool will scan and fix corrupted system files and registry entries.
Method 5: Update Device Drivers
Outdated device drivers can cause system instability, including File Explorer crashes. To update device drivers, follow these steps:
- Open the Device Manager.
- Expand the category related to the device you want to update (e.g., “Disk drives”).
- Right-click on the device and select “Update driver.”
- Follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver.
Method 6: Run a Full System Scan with Windows Defender
Malware and virus infections can cause File Explorer crashes. To run a full system scan with Windows Defender, follow these steps:
- Open Windows Defender.
- Click on the “Virus & threat protection” tab.
- Click on “Scan options” and select “Full scan.”
- Click on “Scan” to start the full system scan.
Method 7: Perform a System Restore
If all else fails, you can try performing a system restore to a previous point when File Explorer was functioning correctly. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the System Restore utility.
- Click on “System Restore.”
- Select a restore point from a previous date when File Explorer was working correctly.
- Click on “Next” and then “Finish” to start the system restore process.
Preventing File Explorer Crashes in Windows 10
While the methods above can help fix File Explorer crashes, it’s essential to take preventative measures to avoid these issues in the future.
Regularly Update Windows 10 and Device Drivers
Regularly updating Windows 10 and device drivers can help prevent system instability, including File Explorer crashes.
Avoid Installing Suspicious Software
Avoid installing suspicious software or applications from unknown sources, as they can contain malware or viruses that can compromise system stability.
Use Strong Antivirus Software
Use strong antivirus software to scan your system regularly and detect malware and virus infections.
Monitor System Resource Usage
Monitor system resource usage to ensure that resource-intensive programs and background processes are not consuming excessive resources.
Perform Regular System Maintenance
Perform regular system maintenance tasks, such as disk cleanups and disk error checks, to prevent file system errors and corruption.
By following these troubleshooting methods and preventative measures, you should be able to fix and prevent File Explorer crashes in Windows 10. Remember to stay patient and persistent, as fixing these issues may require some trial and error.
Why does File Explorer keep crashing in Windows 10?
File Explorer, also known as Windows Explorer, is a critical component of the Windows operating system. It provides a graphical user interface to navigate and manage files, folders, and drives on your computer. When File Explorer crashes or closes unexpectedly, it can be frustrating and disrupt your workflow. There can be several reasons why File Explorer keeps closing in Windows 10, including software conflicts, corrupted system files, and outdated drivers.
To resolve the issue, you can try restarting File Explorer or restarting your computer. You can also try disabling any recently installed software or updates to see if they are causing the problem. Additionally, running the System File Checker tool or the DISM tool can help repair corrupted system files and registry entries.
How do I restart File Explorer in Windows 10?
Restarting File Explorer is a simple process that can often resolve the issue of File Explorer closing unexpectedly. To restart File Explorer, press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager. In the Task Manager, click on the “More details” option at the bottom. Then, click on the “Processes” tab and look for “Windows Explorer” in the list of processes. Select “Windows Explorer” and click on the “Restart” button at the bottom.
After restarting File Explorer, your desktop and taskbar may flash or blink momentarily. This is normal behavior, and your desktop and taskbar should return to normal shortly. If File Explorer continues to close after restarting it, you may need to try additional troubleshooting steps to resolve the underlying cause of the problem.
How do I disable add-ons in File Explorer?
Some add-ons or extensions in File Explorer can cause conflicts or crashes. To disable add-ons in File Explorer, you can follow these steps. Open File Explorer and click on the “View” tab at the top. Then, click on the “Options” button on the right side of the ribbon. In the Folder Options window, click on the “View” tab and uncheck the box next to “Display the preview pane” and “Show preview handlers in preview pane”.
Disabling add-ons can help resolve issues with File Explorer closing unexpectedly. If you have any third-party add-ons or extensions installed, try disabling them and see if the problem persists. You can also try resetting File Explorer to its default settings by deleting the Explorers.xml file in your user profile.
What is the System File Checker tool?
The System File Checker tool, also known as SFC, is a built-in utility in Windows 10 that scans and repairs corrupted system files. System files are critical components of the Windows operating system, and corrupted files can cause a range of problems, including File Explorer crashes. To run the SFC tool, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type the command “sfc /scannow”.
The SFC tool will scan your system files and replace any corrupted files with healthy copies. The process may take some time to complete, depending on the speed of your computer and the level of corruption. If the SFC tool finds any corrupted files, it will attempt to repair them.
What is the DISM tool?
The DISM tool, also known as the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool, is another built-in utility in Windows 10 that can help repair corrupted system files and registry entries. The DISM tool is more comprehensive than the SFC tool and can repair a wider range of system components. To run the DISM tool, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type the command “dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth”.
The DISM tool will scan your system files and registry entries and attempt to repair any corrupted components. The process may take some time to complete, depending on the speed of your computer and the level of corruption. Running the DISM tool can help resolve issues with File Explorer closing unexpectedly.
How do I update my drivers in Windows 10?
Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause a range of problems, including File Explorer crashes. To update your drivers in Windows 10, you can follow these steps. Open the Device Manager by pressing the Windows + X keys and selecting “Device Manager”. In the Device Manager, expand each category and look for devices with a yellow exclamation mark or a red X.
Right-click on each device and select “Update driver” to search for and install any available updates. You can also use the Windows Update tool to check for any available driver updates. Updating your drivers can help resolve issues with File Explorer closing unexpectedly.
How do I perform a System Restore in Windows 10?
If none of the above steps resolve the issue of File Explorer closing unexpectedly, you can try performing a System Restore to a previous point when File Explorer was working correctly. To perform a System Restore, open the System Properties window by pressing the Windows + Pause/Break keys. In the System Properties window, click on the “System Protection” tab and click on the “System Restore” button.
Follow the prompts to select a restore point and complete the System Restore process. Note that System Restore will revert any system changes made since the selected restore point, so you may need to reinstall any software or updates you installed since then.