Windows 11 Windows 10 More...Less
Note:File Explorer is not the same tool as Microsoft Edge. To openMicrosoft Edge, in the search box on the taskbar, typeMicrosoft Edge, and then select it from the results.
Windows 11Windows 10
To open File Explorer in Windows 11,select File Explorer on the taskbar or press the Windows logo key + E on your keyboard.
Here are some things to try if File Explorer won't open.
Select Start > Settings >Windows Update . Then select Check for updates. Install any available updates and restart your device if required.
Even if you don’t see updates that require restarting, doing so ensures that any pending updates are installed.
If you've tried the previous steps and File Explorer still isn't starting or opening, resetting your PC might help. To learn how, see Reset or reinstall Windows.
To open File Explorer in Windows 10,select its icon on the taskbar,press the Windows logo key + E on your keyboard, or select Start > Documents (directly beneath your user icon).
Here are some things to try if File Explorer won't open.
Select Start > Settings > Update & Security> Windows Update. Then select Check for updates. Install any available updates and restart your device if required.
Even if you don’t see updates that require restarting, doing so ensures that any pending updates are installed.
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On the taskbar, type control panelin the search box. Select Control Panel from the results.
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Select System and Security >System > Advanced system settings.
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On the Advanced tab, under Performance, select Settings > Advanced.
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Ensure that Adjust for best performance of is set to Programs.
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Under Virtual memory, select Change and make sure that Automatically manage paging file sizes for all drives is selected.
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Select OK, then selectApply.
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Restart your PC. This resets explorer.exe.
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On the taskbar, typedisk cleanupin the search box. Select Disk Cleanup from the results.
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Select a drive and select OK.
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Select the check box by each type of file. (Make sure there’s nothing important in your Recycle Bin before emptying it.)
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Select OK.
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On the taskbar, type control panelin the search box. Select Control Panel from the results.
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ForView by, chooseLarge icons or Small icons.
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Select Troubleshooting > View all > System Maintenance.
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On the System Maintenance troubleshooter, select Next > Try troubleshooting as an administrator and review the results.
See UsingSystem File Checker in Windows for more info.
Automatic Repair is a toolthat attempts to fix registry corruption. To run it:
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SelectStart > Settings > Update & Security.
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SelectRecoveryand underAdvanced startup, selectRestart now. You may need to selectWindows 10 Advanced Startup. or thatmay happen automatically.
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On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot> Advanced options> Startup Repair.
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Choose an account and enter your password.
Automatic Repair now begins. Your computer may restart during this process.
If File Explorer doesn’t work more reliably after trying thesesteps, please send feedback through Feedback HubsoMicrosoft can investigatepotential issues.
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As an enthusiast with an in-depth understanding of Windows operating systems and a proven track record of troubleshooting and optimizing system performance, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge to address the concepts discussed in the provided article.
The article primarily focuses on resolving issues related to File Explorer not opening on Windows 10 and Windows 11. It suggests several steps to troubleshoot and potentially fix the problem. Let's break down the concepts and provide additional insights:
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Opening File Explorer in Windows 11:
- Method: Selecting File Explorer on the taskbar or pressing the Windows logo key + E.
- Troubleshooting: If File Explorer won't open, the article recommends trying various solutions.
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Windows Update:
- Method: Accessing Windows Update through Start > Settings > Windows Update.
- Troubleshooting: Checking for updates, installing them, and restarting the device.
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Resetting Your PC:
- Troubleshooting: If previous steps fail, resetting the PC might help. The article suggests referring to the "Reset or reinstall Windows" guide.
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Opening File Explorer in Windows 10:
- Methods: Selecting the icon on the taskbar, pressing Windows logo key + E, or selecting Start > Documents.
- Troubleshooting: Similar to Windows 11, the article provides solutions if File Explorer won't open.
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Performance Settings:
- Method: Accessing Control Panel > System and Security > System > Advanced system settings > Performance settings.
- Troubleshooting: Adjusting performance settings for best performance and managing virtual memory.
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Explorer.exe Reset:
- Method: Using Disk Cleanup to reset explorer.exe.
- Troubleshooting: Selecting Disk Cleanup, choosing a drive, and clearing unnecessary files.
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System Maintenance Troubleshooter:
- Method: Accessing Troubleshooting through Control Panel > Troubleshooting > View all > System Maintenance.
- Troubleshooting: Reviewing results and troubleshooting as an administrator.
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System File Checker (SFC):
- Method: Running the System File Checker tool.
- Troubleshooting: Checking system files for integrity issues. Reference to "Using System File Checker in Windows."
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Automatic Repair:
- Method: Accessing Automatic Repair through Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
- Troubleshooting: Initiating Startup Repair for registry corruption.
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Feedback Hub:
- Troubleshooting: If issues persist, the article recommends providing feedback through Feedback Hub for Microsoft to investigate potential issues.
These concepts collectively form a comprehensive guide for users facing File Explorer issues on Windows 10 and Windows 11. The troubleshooting steps cover a range of potential problems, from system updates to file corruption, showcasing a systematic approach to problem-solving.
