Windows issues, such as when the taskbar disappears or the File Explorer crashes, can often be resolved by restarting File Explorer. However, restarting the File Explorer is not just close and open it again. Here we will show you 4 different ways to properly restart File Explorer in Windows.
Content
- Restart File Explorer From the Task Manager
- Using the Command Prompt
- Restart File Explorer Using a Batch File
- Create a Context Menu Entry
Restart File Explorer From the Task Manager
This is the easiest method as long as you can open the Task Manager in Windows. Right-click on the Start Menu button and select Task Manager. If the taskbar isn’t working, you can use the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keyboard shortcut to open Task Manager.
Here, search for “windows explorer” in the top search bar or look for Windows Explorer under the Windows processes section. When found, right-click on Windows Explorer and select Restart. Taskbar and other UI elements will disappear and then appear again, hopefully, solving the problem.
Using the Command Prompt
If you are solving a problem using the Command Prompt (like remote troubleshooting), you can use commands to restart the File Explorer. Search for “cmd” in Window Search, right-click on the Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
Enter the following command and press Enter.
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
This will kill the File Explorer process. Afterward, use the below command to restart it.
start explorer.exe
Note: When you kill the File Explorer process, the taskbar will disappear as well. This means you can’t click on the Command Prompt to bring it to focus for the next command. In that case, press Alt + Tab to focus back to the Command Prompt window.
Restart File Explorer Using a Batch File
For those who need to restart the File Explorer often and don’t want to depend on Windows components, a batch file might be more useful. A batch file is a simple script that runs commands in Command Prompt when you execute the file. Here’s how to create one to restart File Explorer:
In Windows Search, type “notepad” and open up the Notepad app. Enter the following lines in the Notepad:
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe start explorer.exe
Click on the File menu and select Save.
You need to save the file with a .bat extension. For example, you can name it “Restart File Explorer.bat”. You can use any name you want as long as it has a .bat extension.
Whenever you execute this batch file, the File Explorer will restart.
Create a Context Menu Entry
For quick access, you can create a context menu entry that allows you to restart File Explorer directly from the desktop or any folder. You won’t have to run any commands or navigate to specific locations. Here’s how to do it:
Note: we will be editing the registry for this process. Make sure you back up the Registry to restore it in case anything goes wrong.
Search “registry” in Windows Search and open the Registry Editor. Move to the following location here:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell
Right-click on the shell key and select New -> Key. Name this key Restart Explorer.
Now right-click on this new Restart Explorer key and select New -> Key again. Name this key command.
While this command key is selected, double-click on the Default value in the right column and set its value as follows:
cmd.exe /c taskkill /f /im explorer.exe && start explorer.exe
Close the Registry Editor and the context menu entry will be added. Right-click anywhere on the desktop or a folder and select Show More Options -> Restart Explorer to restart the File Explorer.
You should know that apart from restarting from the Task Manager, the rest of the methods depend on a functional Command Prompt. If you are troubleshooting using safe mode in Windows, make sure you use Safe Mode with Command Prompt to use these methods.
Image credit: All images and screenshots by Karrar Haider.
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Karrar Haider –
Contributor
Karrar is drenched in technology and always fiddles with new tech opportunities. He has a bad habit of calling technology “Killer”, and doesn’t feel bad about spending too much time in front of the PC. If he is not writing about technology, you will find him spending quality time with his little family.
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