Windows 10 proceeds come with a bundle of latest features, however, there are certain issues that can irritate a user. Windows 10 file explorer not responding is one such issue that a number of users often encounter. If you are one of them struggling with the same issue then don’t panic as there are a few generic solutions that you can try. Go on reading this article. It will help you to fix this issue in no time.
Troubleshoot Windows 10 File Explorer Not Responding Quick Access In Simple Ways
If your Windows 10 file explorer not responding then you need to try out the below mentioned methods and let us know which method works for you.
Solution 1: Adjust The Settings
In order to fix the issue when Windows 10 file explorer not responding, you need to change the display settings. To do so, at first, go to the Start icon and then click on the Settings. After that, you will see the System, simply click on it. Then, change the size of your text to 100%, 125%, 200% etc, that is located on the Display panel. But, don’t set it to 175%. Some of the users have complained that 175% is the main reason for this issue.
After changing the display settings, check if the issue is fixed.
Solution 2: Check For Possible Faulty Programs
Most of the users have reported that some security program like AVG has triggered this issue. From the Task Manager, once they shut down, the File Explorer is back.
Furthermore, when you lost access to File Explorer, you need to do the same process, if you see any unusual changes.
Solution 3: Restart In Task Manager
Restarting in the Task Manager is a good way to solve this kind of error. In such a situation, simply press the Shift+Ctrl+Esc. This will start the Task Manager. After this process, you need to find the Windows Explorer. Once you find it, simply click on it. Then, you have to right-tap on the Windows Explorer and select the End Task button. Once you are done, in the search box, simply enter explorer.exe and hit the Enter button.
Solution 4: Remove History Cache And Create New Shortcut
According to some users, removing the history cache can fix the File Explorer not responding issue. But, apart from this, we also recommend creating a new path. This will surely help you to solve this kind of File Explorer related issues. To do that, simply locate the File Explorer icon that is in the Task Bar. Now, select the Unpin From Taskbar. After this process, simply press the Windows logo and X function key simultaneously on your keyboard and select the File Explorer option from the result list. Now, right-tap on the Quick Access link and hit the Options button. Once you perform this action, go to the General tab and select the Clear button that is located under the privacy category. This process will clear up all the history cache. Now, you need to right-tap on the blank stop on your device and hit the New button. There, you will see the Shortcut button, just hit that button and navigate to C:\Windows\explorer.exe and click on the Next button. Now, rename it as File Explorer and finally, press the Finish button to complete the process.
Solution 5: Disable Windows Search
To disable the Windows search, in the search box, simply enter the command “cmd.exe.” Now, hit the Enter button. Then, right-tap on the Command Prompt and select the ‘Run As Administrator’ button. After that, at the UAC window prompt, simply hit the Yes button and navigate to net.exe stop “Windows search, then hit the Enter button.
Now, if you want to disable the Windows Search permanently then you have to follow the below mentioned instructions:
- Primarily, press the Windows logo key + R function key and in the search bar, simply enter the command ”services.msc.”
- Now, you need to find the Windows Search button. Once you locate it, double-tap on it and enter the Properties window.
- Once you are done, set the Startup Type to Disabled. Then, hit the OK button in order to save the new changes.
Solution 7: Disable Quick Access And File Preview Features
According to some users, they fix Windows 10 file explorer not responding quick access issue by adjusting a few settings. In that case, you need to disable the Quick access and file preview feature. To do this, go to the File Explorer option at first. Then, navigate to the General tab where you need to set the File Explorer to This PC. Once you are done, you need to find the Show Recently Used Files In Quick Access box. Once you find that box, simply uncheck it. Moreover, you need to uncheck the ‘Show Frequently Used Folders In Quick Access’ option. Then, you can remove all the history. If you don’t want, then skip this part. But if you want to clear the history then hit the Clear button in order to clear up all the history. Now, go to the View tab where you need to locate the Show Preview Handlers In Preview Pane box, simply uncheck that option and hit the Apply button as well as the OK button in order to save the new changes.
Solution 8: Conduct A Clean Boot
Some users say that, after running a clean boot, the Windows 10 file explorer not responding quick access issue automatically get fixed. In such situations, [press the Windows logo+ R function keys simultaneously on your keyboard to open the Run dialog. Now, in the run box simply enter the command “msconfig” and hit the Enter button or click on the OK button. Now, go to the Services tab where you need to locate the Hide All Microsoft Services box. Once you find it, simply uncheck the option and select the Disable All option. Once you perform this action, simply navigate to the Startup tab and select the Open Task Manager button. After this process, you will see a list of startup programs on your display screen, simply choose one by one entry and hit the Disable button. Repeat this for all entries. When done, go back to the System Configuration window, then press the Apply as well as the OK button in order to save the new changes. Now, you will be asked to Restart, simply select the Restart button to reload your PC.
Now, check, if the problem, is fixed. It means one of your disabled service or program was causing this issue. In such situations, you can locate the problematic service. To find it, you need to so the same process and enable service once again one by one. Always be aware to save the new changes to apply them. Untill you find the problematic application or service, keep enabling applications and services.
Solution 9: Update Display Drivers
Sometimes, broken, corrupted or damaged display drivers can lead to system issues such as Windows 10 file explorer not responding quick access, PC hanging or freezing, or even BSOD error. After Windows 10 upgrade, you have to install the latest graphics drivers and eliminate the error saying File Explorer can’t be opened. To do this process, follow the below mentioned steps:
- Primarily, go to the Start icon and type Device Manager in the search box.
- Then, click on it from the list of results.
- After that, expand the category and locate your device name.
- Once you find it, simply double-tap in it and select the Update Driver button.
- Now, choose the Search Automatically For Updated Drivers button.
- If you find there any latest and compatible driver then click on Install and wait for a while to finish the procedure.
- After this, select the restart button in order to reload your PC.
Additional Tips
Here, we have mentioned an addition guideline. If you are not running the latest version of Windows then you surely face this kind of Windows related issues. In that case, always upgrade your PC to the latest version. This is very beneficial because Microsoft resolves multiple problems via updates. Thus, to do so, you need to go to the Settings App at first. After that, select the ‘Update and Security’ button. Then hit the ‘Check For Updates’ button. Then, simply click on the ‘Restart Now’ button as the update automatically gets downloaded on your device.
We hope, this article will helpful for you to resolve the “Windows 10 file explorer not responding issue. We recommend to try out the steps as discussed here. You will surely find accurate solutions for the issue you are facing. Moreover, if you have further queries or suggestions then do share your queries.
