Windows Explorer Keeps Crashing? 10 Proven Fixes

Quick Fix

Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, find Windows Explorer, right-click it and select Restart. If crashes persist, run sfc /scannow in an elevated Command Prompt to repair corrupted system files.

Understanding Why Windows Explorer Crashes

Windows Explorer (also known as File Explorer) is the core file management system in Windows. When it crashes, you may see your taskbar disappear, desktop icons vanish, or receive “Windows Explorer has stopped working” error messages.

Common causes include corrupted system files, incompatible shell extensions from third-party software, outdated display drivers, or malware infections. Memory issues and conflicts with cloud storage applications like OneDrive or Dropbox can also trigger crashes.

The good news is that most Explorer crashes can be resolved without reinstalling Windows. The methods below address the most common causes systematically.

Method 1: Restart Windows Explorer

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
2. Find Windows Explorer in the Processes tab
3. Right-click on it and select Restart
4. Your taskbar and desktop will briefly disappear and return
5. If Explorer isn’t listed, click File > Run new task
6. Type explorer.exe and click OK
7. This refreshes Explorer without rebooting

Method 2: Run System File Checker

1. Press Windows + X and select Terminal (Admin)
2. Click Yes on the UAC prompt
3. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter
4. Wait for the scan to complete (10-15 minutes)
5. If issues are found, they will be repaired automatically
6. Restart your computer after the scan completes
7. Check if Explorer crashes are resolved

Method 3: Clear Explorer History and Cache

1. Open File Explorer
2. Click the three dots menu and select Options
3. In the General tab, find the Privacy section
4. Click Clear next to “Clear File Explorer history”
5. Uncheck both Quick access options temporarily
6. Click Apply and OK
7. Restart Explorer and test for crashes

Method 4: Disable Problematic Shell Extensions

1. Download ShellExView from NirSoft (free utility)
2. Run the program as administrator
3. Sort by Company Name to find non-Microsoft extensions
4. Select third-party extensions and press F7 to disable
5. Restart Windows Explorer
6. If crashes stop, re-enable extensions one by one
7. Identify and uninstall the problematic software

Method 5: Update Display Drivers

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager
2. Expand Display adapters
3. Right-click your graphics card and select Update driver
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers
5. If no update found, visit manufacturer’s website
6. Download latest driver for your GPU (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel)
7. Install and restart your computer

Method 6: Run DISM Repair

1. Open Command Prompt or Terminal as administrator
2. Run: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
3. Then run: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
4. Finally: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
5. This process may take 15-30 minutes
6. Restart your computer after completion
7. Run sfc /scannow again for best results

Method 7: Check for Malware

1. Open Windows Security from the Start menu
2. Click Virus & threat protection
3. Click Scan options
4. Select Full scan and click Scan now
5. Wait for the scan to complete (may take an hour or more)
6. Remove any threats found
7. Consider running Malwarebytes for a second opinion

Method 8: Create New User Profile

1. Open Settings > Accounts > Other users
2. Click Add account
3. Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information
4. Click Add a user without a Microsoft account
5. Create a username and password
6. Log into the new account and test Explorer
7. If it works, your old profile may be corrupted

Preventing Future Explorer Crashes

• Keep Windows and drivers updated to prevent compatibility issues
• Be cautious when installing software that adds shell extensions
• Run regular malware scans to prevent infections
• Avoid overloading folders with thousands of files
• Maintain adequate free disk space on your system drive

FAQ

Why does Explorer crash when I right-click?

Right-click crashes are typically caused by corrupted context menu shell extensions. Third-party software like archive managers, cloud storage apps, or antivirus programs add items to the context menu that can cause conflicts.

Will I lose files if Explorer crashes?

No, Explorer crashes don’t delete your files. Your data remains safe on the disk. However, unsaved work in applications may be lost if they crash along with Explorer.

Why does Explorer crash when opening specific folders?

This usually indicates corrupted files or thumbnails in that folder. Try disabling thumbnail previews in Folder Options, or delete the hidden Thumbs.db file in the problematic folder.

Can RAM issues cause Explorer to crash?

Yes, faulty RAM can cause random crashes including Explorer. Run Windows Memory Diagnostic (search for it in Start menu) to test your RAM for errors.

Should I reset Windows to fix Explorer crashes?

Reset should be a last resort. The methods above resolve most crashes. If nothing works, try “Reset this PC” with the keep files option before doing a clean install.

Why does Explorer crash after Windows updates?

Updates can sometimes conflict with existing drivers or software. Check for driver updates, especially graphics drivers, and ensure third-party software is compatible with the new Windows version.