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File Explorer Not Opening: How to Force It in 7 Quick Steps
File Explorer issues arrise mostly from system file corruption
6 min. read
Updated onMarch 29, 2024
updated onMarch 29, 2024
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Key notes
File Explorer is the go-to place for organizing and retrieving files and folders stored on the disk drive. Sadly,File Explorer is prone to several issues, including the inability to open on your computer. This hinders the ability to browse files, causing a lot of inconvenience.
Why is File Explorer not opening on Windows?
If File Explorer is not opening on Windows or is taking forever, the corrupt cache is the most probable cause. Here are some other possible reasons:
If you are one of those troubled with the File Explorer not opening issue, you are at the right place. Implement the solutions provided in this guide to resolve the underlying problems.
What can I do if File Explorer is not opening?
Before employing the troubleshooting methods listed below, make sure to perform the following actions:
If these preliminary methods didn’t fix the problem, let’s go to the actual solutions to remedy the situation.
1. Restart File Explorer
Windows Explorer is the background app responsible for managing the functionality of File Explorer and related components. File Explorer will not open on your computer if the process encounters a problem; restarting the process will help.
2. Modify the Display settings
If the Scale and layout settings are already set to recommended, choose a different value and then reselect the option recommended for your computer.
Incorrect scale and display resolution for your PC is a very common cause of why Windows is incompetent in performing the intended action.
Hence, restoring the settings to default values is an effective way to fix the File Explorer not opening problem. However, if you areunable to change the screen resolution, check out our dedicated guide.
3. Clear File Explorer History
File Explorer stores cache files to respond promptly to your search queries. If these files are not deleted periodically, they accumulate and cause more harm than good.
4. Run SFC and DISM scan
Do not exit the terminal window until the DISM tool scans the Windows image and repairs it.
If you’re unsure about performing the SFC and DISM scan manually, you can trydedicated softwareto help you repair corrupt files by automatically replacing them with healthy parts from its online vault.
5. Restore the File Explorer settings
6. Reinstall the File Explorer app
Wait until File Explorer, along with other Windows apps, is reinstalled on your computer, and then restart your system. This solution will replace the corrupt or broken installation files if they were the reason why File Explorer was not opening on your PC.
7. Clean boot your computer
Now try opening File Explorer on your Windows PC. If you are successful, it means some third-party apps are interfering with the File Explorer functionality. You can refer to this guide touninstall apps from Windows.
Employ the above-mentioned solutions to repair the File Explorer not opening on your Windows PC issue.
However, if the problem persists or you encounter other issues like thegroup by option greyed out, you can check out thebest File Manager appsfor Windows offering better organizational and accessibility features.
If you have any queries or suggestions for us, please write them down in the comments section below.
More about the topics:File Explorer,windows fix
Loredana Harsana
Windows Software Expert
Loredana is a passionate writer with a keen interest in PC software and technology. She started off writing about mobile phones back when Samsung Galaxy S II was on top of the world and she fell in love with tech of all sorts.
Whenever she’s not at her work desk, you’ll find her enjoying refreshing tea flavors, spilling stories on paper, and listening to the radio.
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Loredana Harsana
Windows Software Expert
Loredana is a tech enthusiast who tackles mobility, privacy, and networking in easy-to follow guides for everyone.
