Most of Windows 10 users are complaining about File explorer crashing problem. People affected with this problem when try to open a folder or drive, file explorer crashes abruptly. Now, here are some quick fixes to get rid of the problem.
Method 1 – Run SFC and DISM commands
1 – Search cmd in windows taskbar and right click and click run as admin
2 – Run the command given below. Wait for some time when it finishes.
sfc /scannow
3 – Now, run the second command shown below.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
4 – Now, run the command shown below
chkdsk /f /r
4 – Close the window and restart
Method 2: – Clear File explorer History
Step 1: – Search File explorer options in taskbar
Step 2: – Click on File explorer options
Step 3: – Clear File explorer history
Step 4: – Uncheck Show recently used files in Quick access and Show frequently used folders in Quick access options. Uncheck any other option under privacy also.
Click Apply and OK
Method 3: – Launch folder windows in a separate process
Step 1: – Search File explorer options in taskbar
Step 2: – Click on File explorer options
Step 3: – Click on view Tab, then click on folder options.
Step 4: – Now, click on view tab and then check Launch folder windows in a separate process.
Step 5: – Finally click on Apply
Method 4: – Disable Thumbnails
Step 1: – Search File explorer options in taskbar
Step 2: – Click on File explorer options
Step 3: Click on View Tab and Select Always show icons, never thumbnails.
Click Apply and OK
Method 5 – Delete Bags keys from Registry
1 – Open RUN by hitting Windows and R key
2 – Now, type regedit in it and click OK
3 – Go to the path in registry shown below
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell
4 – Delete BagMRU and Bags keys
5 – Reboot PC
Method 6: – Changing Display settings
Step 1: – Search Display settings in Start menu search box.
Step 2: – Now, Click on Display settings.
Step 3: – Now, Change the size of text, apps, and other items to 150% or 200% or 100%. But do not let it remain at 175%.
If the problem persists ( Or your size is already at 100%), try next method given below.
Method 7 – Find the culprit app causing it and uninstall it
Step 1: – Just after your file explorer crashes, Search for event viewer in start menu search box.
Step 2: – Now, go to Windows Logs -> System
Step 3: – Now, look for error marked with red and find the click it. This will contain the details of the culprit process or app. Get rid of it.
Note: – Please note that its not a crucial app / file you are uninstalling or deleting. Anyways before doing this take a system restore point.
Method 3 seems to work, although the taskbar was flickering in and out over my two open File Explorer tabs. I am not sure if this started after a Windows update or trying out the My Phone connection thing, which I removed because it does not open apps as advertised.
Thank you! I finally got rid of the empty MS Edge folders.
I did 1,2 and 3. One of them worked!
Number 3 worked, thanks!
Method 2 worked for me! I also restored the defaults just in case.
#2 Worked – Thanks!
Thanks very much – method 2 did the trick for me!
Method 2 seemed to fix it for me. Thank you!
Thank you! Method 3 resolved my issue.
Thanks #3 worked, probably because I have multiple drives saved from an external?
Method 2 worked for me- thank-you
Thank you clearing the quick access worked for me! Woot!
Thank you very much! #2!! Best regards…thank you for helping others.
Thank you so much! #3 fixed it for me. Cheers!
Thanks man. This had been bugging me for so long. Method 3 worked for me 🙂
My problem is when i want to start file eplorer from task bar, it refresh and disappear, i can only open it from Start for the first time. For other quick link, all work fine. Method #3 worked, but when the file explorer opened, desktop still seems refreshed by it self
thanks done with method #3
Awesome, Method #4 helped. There was a leftover folder left from an uninstalled program (WS-FTP), and CC Cleaner nor Advanced SystemCare caught it as a folder to delete/clean up. I force removed it through the cmd prompt and now File Explorer will open again. I would have never guessed an old FTP program was the culprit. Thanks!
#3 is where it’s at! Thanks!
Thanks 3 worked for me too
Thanks! #3 worked.
Thanks!
number 3 worked
thanks!
i tried all the methods but none of them worked
None of the 3 methods worked so i went on to method 4 and i found the error, It said the source was DistributedCOM but i have no idea how to uninstall that! please i need help
Thanks a lot.
Number 3 worked.
THANKS!!! Number 3 worked.