Is File Explorer crashing randomly on Windows 11? You can go through this article to get the best solutions.
Note that improper system settings may cause this issue
File Explorer could be stopped from crashing in Windows 11 if you clear the cache regularly.
Checking for your operating system’s updates might offer important support.
You can also run certain commands that will help in resolving this problem.
Download Restoro PC Repair Tool that comes with Patented Technologies (patent available here).
Click Start Scan to find Windows 11 issues that could be causing PC problems.
Click Repair All to fix issues affecting your computer’s security and performance
Restoro has been downloaded by 0 readers this month.
File Explorer is an important integrated part of the latest OS versions. In these terms, keeping it running in proper conditions is mandatory.
To find out how File Explorer is different now from the previous OS version, check out some new features, comparisons & update tips.
Besides the great features that the new File Explorer brings, users have claimed to get into some worrying problems.
You might sometimes notice that in Windows 11, the desktop File Explorer keeps crashing without any certain explanation. There are some reasons why this happens, and we’re going to describe them.
Why does File Explorer keep crashing?
➡ Improper system settings
One of the most common reasons why Windows 11 File Explorer crashes can be related to improper system settings. Thus, you should consider adjusting and optimizing its advanced options.
If this is why your File Explorer can not properly work, make sure you’re going to find some solutions later in this article.
➡ Incompatible third-party software
It is possible that third-party antivirus programs or other kinds of harmful apps can cause damage to Windows File Explorer by entering into conflict.
This reason might generate delays or lags when using File Explorer. To avoid such situations, you should definitely find out how to block third-party app install on Windows PCs.
➡ Large number of files in history
Having too many files in File Explorer can make it oversaturated by unnecessary storage. In these terms, history will negatively affect it, causing crashes or slow-down situations.
➡ Corrupted system files
Corrupted system files might get inoperable or unusable due to various reasons. Thus, they can also affect how your File Explorer acts.
This usually happens unexpectedly, leaving you unable to access File Explorer or to normally use it.
You should know that these reasons are not uncommon, so there are plenty of options to fix them. Fortunately, they are similar to what you know was applied to fix Windows 10 file corruption issues.
Moreover, there are multiple variations that can occur, which are all fixable with the solutions below:
- Windows 11 file explorer crashes when I right-click
- Windows 11 explorer crashing after update
- Windows 11 file explorer not opening from Taskbar
- Windows 11 explorer crashes after sleep
- Windows explorer keeps restarting in Windows 11
- Windows explorer crashes when selecting file
- Windows 11 file explorer crashing on startup
- File explorer keeps crashing in Windows 11
- Windows 11 explorer restarting or crash loop
Why does File Explorer keep crashing?
Windows Explorer is one of the key components of this OS. Without it, you cannot do anything in a normal way. Unfortunately, there is no way to reinstall Windows Explorer. However, you can repair it using various methods like SFC or DISM commands, etc.
We have a separate guide on this. Read: How to repair corrupted Windows components
Probably, you want to reinstall Windows Explorer just because you have been encountering some problems with it. Don’t worry. There are various methods that you can try to solve your problem.
To find out some of the best solutions to consider if your Windows 11 File Explorer is acting weird, make sure you read this article completely.
How do I fix File Explorer crashing in Windows 11?
1. Adjust the File Explorer options
- Open Control Panel.
- In the top right corner search bar, type File Explorer options and open it.
- Select the General tab.
- Next to the Open File Explorer To: drop-down menu, select the This PC option.
- Click on Apply, then on OK.
This is the first and the easiest method to try if your File Explorer keeps crashing. It might help, considering this issue can occur due to some improper settings.
- Why does File Explorer keep crashing?
- How do I fix File Explorer crashing in Windows 11?
- Adjust the File Explorer options
- Use Command Prompt
- Clear the Cache
- Check for Windows updates
- Execute certain commands with Windows PowerShell
- Restart Windows 11 File Explorer
- Update GPU driver
- How can I prevent my Windows 11 File Explorer from crashing?
2. Use Command Prompt
- Click on the Start button, type Command Prompt, then right-click on it and select Run as administrator.
- In the pop-up window, type the following command, then press Enter: sfc /scannow
- Wait until the process is completed.
- Restart your PC.
This command is also known as System File Checker and allows you to scan and restore corruptions in Windows system files. Thus, it can definitely help if your Windows 11 File Explorer is crashing.
A more advanced alternative for this issue is to use a software that finds and repairs corrupted Windows files. We recommend here using Restoro since it specializes in system checkups.
Some PC issues are hard to tackle, especially when it comes to corrupted repositories or missing Windows files. If you are having troubles fixing an error, your system may be partially broken. We recommend installing Restoro, a tool that will scan your machine and identify what the fault is.Click here to download and start repairing.
Expert tip:
SPONSORED
3. Clear the Cache
- Click on the Start button on your taskbar to open the search box.
Restoro is a complex Windows system repair solution that scans your PC for various issues and fixes all critical system files and registry errors, as well as the damage left by viruses (not antivirus software). With a few clicks, the program frees up space on your disk and restores all compromised Windows settings to their default value.
Here’s how you can perform this action:
- Download and install Restoro.
- Launch Restoro.
- Wait for it to find any system stability issues and possible malware infections.
- Press Start Repair.
- Restart your PC for all the changes to take effect.
Restoro’s technology replaces severely damaged Windows system files with clean, up-to-date ones from its secure online database. You can allow it to perform this action without harming your user data.
This the ideal all-in-one tool for fixing Windows errors, PC crashes, or registry issues. It can boost the performance of your device and make it more secure within a few minutes.
⇒ Get Restoro
Disclaimer: This program needs to be upgraded from the free version in order to perform some specific actions.
Type Control Panel in the search box, then click on the first result.
In the top right corner search bar, type File Explorer options and press Enter to open it.
Navigate to the General tab.
In the Privacy section, click on Clear.
Select OK to confirm the selection.
It is possible that sometimes the File Explorer history cache gets corrupted or turns out too big. In these situations, files and folders are loading slowly or not loading at all.
With this option, you’ll be able to clear the history and also prevent unnecessary memory usage, which might be some explanations for your Windows 11 File Explorer crashing.
With this option, you’ll be able to clear the history and also prevent unnecessary memory usage, which might be an explanation for your Windows 11 File Explorer crashing.
4. Check for Windows updates
- Open Settings.
- Go to Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates.
With this method, your OS will automatically recommend and fix problems like corrupt settings that create other problems. If you are facing Windows 11 desktop File Explorer crash or fail issues after an update, you can skip this method.
5. Execute certain commands with Windows PowerShell
- Right-click on the Start icon, then select Windows Terminal (admin).
- In the PowerShell, type the following command, then execute it: Repair-WindowsImage -Online –RestoreHealth
- Wait until the process is completed.
- Restart your PC.
6. Restart Windows 11 File Explorer
- Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard, then select Task Manager.
- Click on the Processes tab, search for the File Explorer, then select it.
- Click on the Restart button.
7. Update GPU driver
To update the GPU driver, we suggest you depend on a third-party tool. It is because, with the Windows Update, you will only get a generic video driver update that may not be up to date.
So, we suggest DriverFix. It can scan and update any drivers to the latest version within a single click. The process is also very fast. Else, it has so many advantages that you will get to know once you start using it.
⇒ Get DriverFix
Along with these two methods, you also may need other methods as well. We are not featuring these in this article as we already have them in another post. So, read: Fix Windows 10/11 File Explorer problems easily
How can I prevent my Windows 11 File Explorer from crashing?
We consider properly delivering some useful options to prevent your Windows 11 File Explorer from crashing. Check out the following tips:
How to fix File Explorer problems in Windows 10/11
Fix: File Explorer crashes after right-click [Easy guide]
How to fix File Explorer crashes in Windows 10/11
Explorer.exe application error in Windows 10/11 [BEST FIXES]
How to stop Windows 10 from closing programs without warning
Constantly update your OS
Regularly clear your File Explorer history
Fix the corrupt files and drives
Remove items from the Quick Acess menu
As an additional suggestion, you should disable third-party extensions and antivirus programs.
You won’t get again into File Explorer troubles by constantly applying the above aspects.
If your File Explorer is having problems in Windows 11, make sure at least one of the listed options will help you with a minimum of effort. Otherwise, we prepared more solutions in this article dedicated to Windows 10/11 File Explorer search not working.
Note that with its most requested feature, Windows 11 File Explorer allows you to add additional tabs, which can ensure a much-personalized view. Considering this, Microsoft Store is one of your main allies.
However, for those who are not so happy with the latest UI changes, feel free to read how to get the Windows 10 File Explorer ribbon on Windows 11.
Do not forget to share your thoughts and opinions regarding the presented subject by leaving a comment in the section below.
If the advices above haven’t solved your issue, your PC may experience deeper Windows problems. We recommend downloading this PC Repair tool (rated Great on TrustPilot.com) to easily address them. After installation, simply click the Start Scan button and then press on Repair All.
Still having issues? Fix them with this tool:
- File ExplorerWindows 11
Email *
Commenting as . Not you?
Comment
