Windows 10 File Explorer Not Working? How To Fix

Windows 10 File Explorer or Windows Explorer is an easy way to access your files, folders, and perform drive management. This built-in manager application, which shows user items like desktops, downloads, documents, pictures and more in one place and lets you make the best use of the files available on the PC. However, sometimes users say that their file explorer is unresponsive. OK, this is why we are here and tell us how to fix File Explorer not responding.

File Explorer is not working

Note: File Explorer is called Windows Explorer on Windows On, and all of the solutions listed below also apply to Windows 10 for Windows 10 File Explorer not working.

Fix how Windows 10 File Explorer is working

Solution 1: Restart File Explorer

If your file explorer doesn't respond, follow the steps outlined below.

Step 1: Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

Step 2: Locate Windows Explorer from the left bar and right-click on it. Choose 'The last Task'.

Windows 10 File Explorer is not working

Step 3: Click on the file from above, and select 'Run New Tasks'

Step 4: In the next window, type in explorer and click OK.

Task Manager

Check if it has started working now.

Solution 2: Clear the file explorer history

When Windows 10 File Explorer is unresponsive, try the below-mentioned themes.

Step 1: In the Windows 10 Cortana Search box, type Control and open the Control Panel.

Step 2: Find the File Explorer options here and click on it.

Step 3: Open and clear it, and then click OK.

File explorer options

It has probably started working again. Try again and open File Explorer.

Method 3: Try changing the display settings

What display settings do you need to make when you think File Explorer is unresponsive, but the issue has its effects. It's possible that an unexpectedly sized screen and text file may cause Explorer to crash. Well, you can reset the settings using the following steps.

Step 1: Type settings in the Windows 10 Search box.

Step 2: Click on System from the Display panel.

Step 3: Here, change the text size to 100%, this is also recommended.

Try changing display settings

Again, check if your file explorer is working now.

Method 4: Disable Windows Search

In this case, follow the steps.

Step 1: Start by typing cmd.exe in the search box. Locate the command prompt, right-click it, and click Run Administrator

Disable Windows Search

Step 2: Now at the next prompt, click Yes.

Step 3: In the next command prompt window, type in Net.x stop "Windows Search". Sign in

Note that if you want to permanently stop the search, you will create the following steps.

Windows Key + R> Type Service.msc> Find Windows Search> Double-click on it> Enter in the Properties window> Change the Startup Type and Disable> Select OK and press Start.

Method 5: Run the System File Checker Scan

This file checker scan will help you to detect corruption in system files when File Explorer is not working. For this

Step 1: Enter centipede in the windows 10 search bar. At the command prompt, right-click on it and choose Run as administrator.

Step 2: Type SFC / Scan and press Enter.

Run the System File Checker Scan

Step 3: Restart the computer after the scanning is complete. Now check to see if the issue has been resolved.

Windows 10 file explorer will probably not reply orted immediately

Conclusion

If your file explorer doesn't work, you can definitely try the methods outlined above, and file explorer will certainly not work at any time. Generally, resetting the file explorer as well as disabling the Windows search function for many users. In the meantime, if you have problems other than locating your Windows 10 file that doesn't work, check them out below.

About Debmalya Datta

Welcome to our blog “CYBER SUGGEST“. Debmalya Datta is a professional Blogger, Developer, Social Media Influencer, Digital Marketer and Entrepreneur. He loves doing work which makes him happy, that’s why he choose Blogging and Educate people. You will love exploring educational stuff on our blog. Live your dreams as much as you can. Be a SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTER