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How To Restart Windows Explorer With Cmd. You just need to restart the file browsing process. I can open Task
You just need to restart the file browsing process. I can open Task Manager and launch some applications manually (cmd sfcfix and other apps) These are the steps I’ve already tried Nov 22, 2021 · To fix a disappearing Start Menu, you might need to run System File Checker and a DISM scan, restart the Windows Explorer process, update Windows, log out and log back into your Windows account, create a new Windows account, or restore your system using restore points. Here’s how to restart File Explorer from Command Prompt: Open the Command Prompt as administrator. Use a Batch File to Restart File Explorer in Windows. Jul 21, 2021 · Like any other stock Windows process or third-party app, Windows Explorer can crash or hang. Step 2: Update or roll back graphics 2 days ago · If the command to delete environment variables is successful, you will see “The operation completed successfully” in Command Prompt. There are ways to restart File Explorer without a full reboot; typically, you open your Task Manager, find Windows Explorer in the list of running processes, right-click it, and select Restart. exe via several methods to fix this, including cmd, the Task Manager, and the taskbar's right-click context menu. Restart File Explorer / Windows Shell Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc → Processes → find Windows Explorer → Restart. Nov 22, 2024 · Restart Windows Explorer using Command Prompt You can also restart Windows Explorer using the Command Prompt interface: Type Command Prompt in the Windows search bar. The explorer. Restarting the explorer. Just enter the command below and hit “Enter” to relaunch the interface: start explorer. Oct 5, 2014 · To start Explorer again, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to start "Task manager, open File menu -> New task. 3. Learn how to uninstall or disable Microsoft Edge on Windows using PowerShell, registry edits, and official methods. Aug 1, 2019 · In order to test a registry tweak without a reboot, you can close the explorer. Dec 8, 2022 · This guide shows you how to restart Windows Explorer (explorer. 22 hours ago · Here, select Decimal under the Base section and set its value to 100. You can do this by opening Command Prompt as an administrator and typing chkdsk D: /f (replace D: with the correct drive letter). exe or reboot and it will be fixed. Dec 24, 2024 · By using the Task Manager, Command Prompt, Windows PowerShell, or File Explorer Options, you can easily restart File Explorer and resolve any issues that may be causing it to freeze or become unresponsive. I know if you select it from the task manager you can restart it, but I want a file on my desktop I We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. ” What Windows Secure Launch does Windows Secure Launch was introduced in Windows 10. 1. exe process has been killed or has crashed, the taskbar and desktop disappear. I will show you different methods to restart Explorer (shell). 6 days ago · TL;DR The Windows filename character length restriction stems from legacy limitations, capping total path lengths at 260 characters. exe and hit Enter. Restart Windows Explorer Manually Using Command Prompt. This reloads your desktop environment. Many transient issues clear on a reboot. However, you can use this restart the Explorer solution without hesitation on older MS Windows operating systems whether it's a Windows desktop, tablet, Surface Pro / Go, or even a server operating Jan 9, 2022 · We show you how to restart Windows Explorer. exe" part of the command identifies the program to close, and the "/f" switch instructs taskkill to forcibly close the program. Exit Explorer and Manually Restart It (Windows 10 Only) Do you like to have more control when you restart File Explorer? Maybe you don't want to immediately restart it because you're testing something on your computer and need it to use as few resources as possible. Note: Explorer in Windows is the default file manager tool. 4. 2 days ago · Microsoft has confirmed that the Windows 11 January 2026 Update is causing at least three major issues, rolling out fixes for two bugs. May 8, 2025 · This is a guide on how to qiuck close and restart Windows Explorer in Windows 10. If the issue persists, consider using the Windows Update Troubleshooter to identify and fix problems with Windows Update. exe, but I don't know all the commands needed. Feb 6, 2019 · To restart Explorer. Restart Windows Explorer Oftentimes, the copy-paste function stops working due to a bug or glitch within Windows. Tip: You can combine Taskkill and Explorer. exe This immediately refreshes the shell. Oct 1, 2023 · Restart Explorer from Task Manager The Task Manager offers the traditional way to restart Windows Explorer. Fast, secure solutions for Windows 10/11. File Explorer -- formerly known as Windows Explorer -- controls the desktop, the taskbar and all folder windows within the Windows operating system. Create a New User Profile: Sometimes, user profiles can become corrupted. exe process is the user shell for Windows, and is used by such items as the desktop, File Explorer, Start menu, notification area, and taskbar. Press Windows + S and search for Command Prompt Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator Type the following command and Apr 1, 2025 · In this tutorial, we will explain the best and effective methods to fix the error - Windows 10 Start Menu Not Working. Luckily, there are ways to do this without turning your PC off. Go to File > Run new task, type explorer. Using Command Prompt May 5, 2018 · Type explorer. Jul 30, 2024 · Having trouble with Windows? Restarting File Explorer can solve the problem. This guide shows you how to restart explorer. The best solution is to restart Windows Explorer Sep 9, 2021 · There are two ways to restart Windows File Explorer (explorer. These processes can be active programs, services, and other tasks that run in the background while you use your PC. exe Cleanly in Windows 10/11 Follow one of these methods to restart the shell cleanly: Method 1: Exit Explorer and Start a new Explorer. stop-process -name explorer -force Press Enter key to close and automatically start the File Explorer. Learn how to restart File Explorer using different methods. exe doesn’t load at all. Feb 16, 2022 · Once done, restart explorer. Many users have found that restarting their PC or Windows Explorer fixes the issue, though often only temporarily. Apr 30, 2025 · Windows Explorer renders the file manager, desktop icons, taskbar, task switcher, and a few other elements. Any time you delete an environment variable like this, you also need to restart explorer. Check for updates Jun 24, 2019 · The solution to restart the Explorer is not only written for Windows 10. Windows Explorer renders the file manager, desktop icons, taskbar, task switcher, and a few other elements. Restart File Explorer Using Task Manager. So is there a way to reopen these folders automatically after restarting explorer? Jul 21, 2025 · Learn how to restart Explorer, fix frozen Windows Explorer, and restart File Explorer in Windows 10/11 using Task Manager and CMD. exe process is an important part of Windows 10. Open Task Manager Locate Windows Explorer Right-click it and select Restart Restarting Explorer refreshes file access without rebooting the system. It was overhauled for Windows 8, 10, and 11, so we've got instructions for you whether you're using those or Windows 7. 22 hours ago · Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find Windows Explorer in the list, right-click it, and select Restart. win. 22 hours ago · Confirm the action Restart your PC If the bin empties successfully, the issue may already be resolved. Step 3: If the issue persists, run SFC and DISM commands to ensure system file integrity. Reset File Explorer Settings: You can reset File Explorer settings to default. exe on Windows 10? Or Is there any issue with Windows 10 restart Explorer? We'll find out in this post. Sep 28, 2023 · Are you looking for the best ways to restart explorer. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for a clean and efficient approach. Fortunately, there are several methods to restart File Explorer without needing to reboot your entire system. Jan 2, 2015 · Sometimes, you have to restart File Explorer in Windows to ensure that changed user interface settings take effect immediately without the need to reboot or sig Dec 16, 2021 · How to restart a Windows Explorer (`explorer. In the processes tab, scroll down and locate the Windows Explorer process. Jan 30, 2022 · I n this tutorial, we are going to see how to restart explorer. Here's how to restart Windows Explorer without rebooting your computer. May 12, 2019 · Restart Explorer gracefully using NirCmd restartexplorer command-line. exe in Windows 11. Alternative Option: Use a Trusted Third-Party Tool If registry editing feels risky, a well-known utility like ExplorerPatcher can restore the classic File Explorer interface. Right-click on the Start button --> Windows PowerShell. exe issues, and refresh your Windows interface easily. When Windows Explorer becomes unresponsive and freezes, it's often necessary to restart it. Open File Explorer, go to the View tab, click on Options, and then click on the Reset Folders button. exe` process) if it keeps freezing, hanging and not responding, using a Task Manager or CMD. Aug 30, 2017 · I need a batch file to stop and restart explorer. Restart Windows Explorer using command line In case the Command Prompt or PowerShell cannot be opened because everything is frozen. exe on Windows 11. Check Touchpad in Device Manager If the touchpad driver is missing or disabled, it will 5 days ago · Often, this command alone can be the fix for the "class not registered" Windows 10 Explorer. exe in Windows 10 and Windows 11, and what to know before you try. exe error, especially if it was caused by a recent update gone awry. The Command Prompt is a tool that most Windows users are familiar with. In Step 2, initiate a new explorer. Task Manager is a built-in system monitor that lets you start or end a process on your computer. Dec 1, 2019 · Published by Shawn Brink Category: General Tips 01 Dec 2019 How to Restart explorer. 5. Aug 31, 2022 · There are times when Windows Explorer gets stuck or even the Start Menu or the task bar is not responding. You’ll have to restart the PC or restart the File Explorer and apply the wallpaper again for the changes to take effect. Run the below command to restart Windows Explorer. Nov 19, 2025 · Restart Windows. Jul 19, 2024 · Method 1. They must be opened from the Run box or Task Manager using the keyboard shortcuts. 5 days ago · Select Touchpad Turn Touchpad ON Increase touchpad sensitivity if needed Restart your laptop after changing the setting. exe process is to stop and start it to effectively refresh explorer. Here's how to declutter your PC and maximize its security. If the explorer. Sep 11, 2025 · Stop Explorer Command Step 3: Now that Explorer has been terminated, it’s time to bring it back. exe This method involves exiting the Explorer shell using the hidden Exit Explorer command in the right-click menu on Windows 10. Jan 19, 2022 · When I have to restart explorer. Without including "/f," the command won't work on Explorer. Detailed step-by-step instructions for beginners and experienced users. exe in Windows 11 via CMD or PowerShell, without using Task Manager. Sep 8, 2022 · Restart Windows File Explorer via Command Prompt Step 1: Open the Command Prompt by typing CMD the same in Start/taskbar search field and then hitting the Enter key. Restart Windows Explorer and Desktop Window Manager Sometimes the visual system does not refresh properly, causing UI effects to disappear. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: taskkill /f /im 20 hours ago · Microsoft's default settings for Windows 11 are filled with tiny annoyances, including unnecessary taskbar icons and unwanted apps. Also on a related note: If you have set the registry setting or WinAero setting to enable "Classic Start Menu" in Win 11, it will break the start menu as well as the "quick access" menu appearing when clicking on the Wireless/Volume/Battery icons. Dec 8, 2022 · This guide shows you how to restart Windows Explorer (explorer. The taskbar is also missing, and explorer. Learn how to check hard drive health on Windows 10 in this comprehensive guide. Best Practices for Third-Party Jan 8, 2026 · ShellBags store every metadata related to folders on your PC. Users comfortable with command-line interfaces might find this method more appealing, as it adds a level of sophistication to the process. Right-click on Command Prompt in the search results and select Run as administrator. Jul 21, 2021 · This tutorial will show you how to restart the explorer. Restart Windows Explorer and Input Services Temporary system glitches can prevent input devices from responding. com used a restart flag, shut down kernels, dropped to real mode, then relaunched protected mode. exe) in Windows 11 via CMD or PowerShell, without using Task Manager. 4 days ago · Below are detailed steps to help resolve the persistent black screen problem: Step 1: Restart Windows Explorer If the screen is blank but you can see the cursor, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. If the Start button is unresponsive, use the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keyboard shortcut to instantly open Task Manager. Aug 28, 2024 · Learn how to restart Windows Explorer in Windows 10 with our easy step-by-step guide. Step 3: Verification (The Feedback Loop)Since the operator may not have a visual line of sight to the vehicle’s exhaust, the Explorer provides external feedback: 1 day ago · Is your drive visible in Device Manager but missing from File Explorer? Learn how to resolve the common issue: Drive shows up in Device Manager but not in Explorer, quickly using Disk Management and other proven solutions. exe' Reference: Kill and Restart Explorer. This command will stop the Windows Explorer service and then start the Explorer again. exe manually, or you can just restart your entire computer. Nov 29, 2025 · Looking for an easy way to fix frozen Windows 11 desktop? Here are the two best ways to restart Explorer. It manages both the Start menu, the taskbar, and the file explorer. Oct 14, 2025 · Depending on how the applications are installed and registered in Windows, there are different ways to configure their startup behavior: Any applications that are registered in Windows with a startup task can be configured from Settings or from Task Manager Other applications can be configured using File Explorer Expand each section to learn more. Find Windows Explorer, right-click it, and choose End task (your desktop/taskbar may disappear temporarily). Disabling autostart apps here can help improve boot times and overall system performance without needing third-party tools. If you find operating system or apps are freezing, Exit Explorer option can help you fix those problems. Sep 12, 2024 · Learn how to effortlessly restart Windows Explorer in Windows 11 with our step-by-step guide to solve performance issues and improve system responsiveness. Jan 13, 2026 · Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager Locate Windows Explorer Right-click it and select Restart Restarting Explorer refreshes system processes related to storage management. Jul 9, 2025 · Learn how to restart Windows Explorer, fix unresponsive explorer. Use the following command in batch file or in the command window: Jan 4, 2025 · The Command Prompt is another powerful tool in Windows that can be used to restart File Explorer. However, in Windows 10 (version 1607 and later) and Windows 11, you can lift this restriction by enabling “Long Path Awareness” using either the Group Policy Editor or a simple registry tweak. Check Disk for Errors File system errors on the system drive can interfere with Storage Sense operations. 22 hours ago · Summary Shift+Restart in Windows 95 triggers a fast restart that skips a full reboot. this Restarting the Explorer screenshot has been snipped under Windows 10. exe Process in Windows 10 The explorer. exe process is the user shell for Windows, and is used by such items as the desktop, File Explorer, Start menu, and taskbar. exe. Right-click Restore File Explorer in Windows 10 quickly and safely! Learn how to fix frequent crashes, restart the process, and correct errors via the command line and Task Manager. exe process as needed in Windows 11. Effective ways to bring File Explorer back to life – read our article! Watch short videos about windows 10 restart in recovery mode from people around the world. The taskbar will immediately shift to the left once the shell reloads. This tutorial provides 2 methods how to restart Explorer on Windows. The "/im explorer. Run the following line of commands: CMD /C 'TaskKill /f /im explorer. Important Note: While MSConfig helps with some startup settings, in Windows 11, managing startup programs is primarily done through the Task Manager. Subscribing ensures you get actionable repair guidance focused on this topic. exe into the Open box and hit OK to relaunch Windows Explorer. Oct 29, 2022 · Restart the Windows Explorer Process via Task Manager The most straightforward way to restart Windows Explorer is to use the Task Manager app in Windows 11 and 10. exe from the command prompt, please follow these steps: Open a Windows Command Prompt by clicking on the Start button, entering cmd, and then clicking on the Command Prompt Sep 8, 2022 · Method 3 of 5 Restart File Explorer via PowerShell in Windows 10/11 Step 1: Type Windows PowerShell in the Start/taskbar search field and then press the Enter key to open the PowerShell. 5 days ago · You may need to restart your computer for changes to take effect. Jan 11, 2026 · To see the results, you don't even need to reboot your entire computer. 5 days ago · 1. Method 1 - CMD May 11, 2021 · @Brink, there is another option to automatically restart explorer. Jun 7, 2024 · Facing bugs and glitches in the Windows user interface? Here's how you can restart Windows File Explorer, and get rid of issues! 6 days ago · Check for Disk Errors: Run a check on the USB drive to see if there are any errors. Graceful restart is the recommended way to exit explorer and restart explorer. exe in Windows 10 Using CMD. exe commands on one line to perform a restart of the Windows Shell. Open a command prompt with administrative privileges and run the following commands: 1 day ago · The problem? “If a user chooses to shut down an affected PC, the system does a restart. When Explorer closes, your desktop, the taskbar and all open folders vanish, but the command prompt remains on screen. exe, usually I have many folders open, which get closed in the process. exe process using Task Manager. After restart, File Explorer should display the classic ribbon with a permanently visible menu bar. . A batch file is simply a plain text file containing a series of commands you can execute with command-line interpreters like Command Prompt or PowerShell. This built-in command-line interpreter lets you perform various tasks on a Windows computer using specific commands. exe Start Explorer Command That’s how you restart Windows Explorer from Command Prompt with no clicks required, just clean control through a few quick 2 days ago · Here are the simplest methods to restart explorer. Besides that, it implements the desktop and taskbar. When Explorer freezes, some or all of these components stop responding. Just: Right-click the Start button and select Task Manager. Type Explorer in the "Create new task" dialog and press Enter. Remove Edge completely or prevent it from running. Method 3: Restart File Explorer Using Command Prompt You can also use the taskkill command to perform a restart of File Explorer. 22 hours ago · Microsoft’s first major Windows 11 update of 2026 released on January 13 introduced a concerning bug that caused some PCs to refuse to shut down, restart, or enter hibernation as expected. It is located at C:\Windows\explorer. In Task Manager, click File → Run new task, type cmd, and check Create this task with administrative privileges. Disable USB Selective Suspend: Sometimes, the USB selective suspend feature can cause issues. Make Submenu Items Reveal Faster in Context Menu The desktop context menu has several submenus for viewing, sorting, and new items. You can also use the same command lines to restart explorer in Windows Terminal. Restart Windows Explorer Windows Explorer manages file access and may occasionally lock resources unexpectedly. Jul 13, 2025 · If too much time elapses between the lock command and the start command, the BCM resets the timer, and the request is ignored to prevent accidental pocket-dialing. Improve your system's performance and resolve common issues quickly! Dec 25, 2015 · Restart Explorer. Restart Explorer from Task Manager in Windows 11 The best way to open the Task Manager in Windows 11 is to hit Ctrl Feb 3, 2025 · Is there a way to invoke equivalent of this special Explorer-specific menu item via the command line or an API call? Note – I do not want to use workaround via taskkill, because I suppose this special restart action is different from killing the task and launching the EXE again. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. 4 days ago · 3. Hold down Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys to open the Task Manager. 5 days ago · Select Windows Explorer. Aug 12, 2024 · Learn how to reset Windows Explorer in Windows 10 to fix common issues like crashes and unresponsive behavior. 6. That is when you need to restart explorer. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager Right-click Windows Explorer Select Restart Restart your laptop 6 days ago · Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and end the task for Windows Explorer. Jan 12, 2026 · 4. exe process and then start it again. 2. 4 days ago · Hello,I’m having an issue with Windows 11: the system boots, but the desktop never appears. 1 day ago · If File Explorer works fine in Safe Mode, a third-party application may be causing the crash. Restart Windows Explorer and Input Services Temporary system glitches can affect input devices. 5 days ago · Restart your computer and attempt the installation again. exe) in Windows 11, using Command Prompt and Task Manager, which we demonstrate below. Feb 3, 2025 · Learn how to restart Windows Explorer using command line in Windows operating system without using Taskkill. Feb 10, 2024 · Restarting File Explorer on Windows can be a quick fix to many problems. Click Restart. Aug 12, 2024 · When working diligently on your files and folders in Windows 11, a sudden freeze in File Explorer can severely disrupt your productivity. Jan 6, 2026 · Make the newsletter your go-to source for command-line Windows recovery—practical commands, clear usage tips, and troubleshooting sequences you can apply. exe && Start explorer. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager Right-click Windows Explorer Select Restart Restart your laptop This refreshes Windows input-related services. 22 hours ago · Step 2: Open Task Manager, locate Windows Explorer, and restart the process. Temporarily Disable Antivirus or Security Software 22 hours ago · Regularly monitoring your hard drive can help prevent data loss, system crashes, and performance issues. 6 days ago · Learn how to turn on Microsoft Copilot in Windows 11 using system settings and PowerShell to activate and troubleshoot activation issues. Sep 28, 2023 · If any of the components managed by Windows Explorer are freezing, hanging, or becoming unresponsive, restarting the Windows Explorer process may help resolve the issue without having to restart the entire computer. Or run from an admin command prompt: taskkill /f /im explorer. Step 2: At the PowerShell window, execute the following command to restart the File Explorer. Reset the Recycle Bin Using Command Prompt Resetting the Recycle Bin removes corrupted system files. You can restart Explorer. Feb 2, 2024 · Keyboard shortcuts are one of the most underutilized features of any operating system and Windows 11 has many new ones. Follow this guide to know how to remove or disable them in Windows 11/10. exe start explorer.
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