How To Start Windows Explorer Windows 10

On Windows 10, "Windows Explorer" (Explorer.exe) is the process responsible for starting and displaying most of the user interface (UI), including the desktop, taskbar, Action Center, Start menu, and File Explorer.

Usually, the process can work without a glitch for a long fourth dimension, merely eventually i or more than of its elements could break causing Windows 10 to freeze or stop responding entirely, leaving yous unable to open the First menu or interact with the taskbar or other experiences. When this occurs, about users will just reach for the power button to ready the trouble, but it could be an issue that yous may be able to resolve by simply restarting the process without the risk of losing unsaved changes.

In this Windows 10 guide, nosotros'll walk you through several ways to quickly restart the Explorer.exe process to prepare UI problems.

How to reset Explorer.exe using Task Manager
How to reset Explorer.exe using batch file

Important: Although many of the UI problems tin can happen because of issues with the Windows Explorer process, it tin also be a graphics driver related trouble, including when the screen flashes or flickers.

How to reset Explorer.exe using Chore Managing director

On Windows ten, yous can reset the Windows Explorer process in at least two dissimilar ways using Chore Manager.

Restarting Explorer using Processes tab

To restart Explorer.exe with the Processes tab to fix mutual UI issues on Windows ten, utilize these steps:

Employ the Ctrl + Shift + ESC keyboard shortcut to open the Task Manager experience.

Quick tip: There'due south not just one manner to open Task Managing director, you tin access the experience in various ways. For case, through the Ctrl + Alt + Del keyboard shortcut, power user menu (Windows key + 10 keyboard shortcut ), searching for the app in the Start menu, and more. Notwithstanding, if you're having problems with the UI, the Ctrl + Shift + ESC keyboard shortcut is maybe the most direct fashion to the feel.
If you lot're using the Job Managing director in meaty style, click the More details button in the bottom-left corner.
Click on the Processes tab.
Under the "Windows processes" department, select the Windows Explorer process.
Click the Restart button on the bottom-right corner.

Once yous consummate the steps, the process will end and restart automatically, fixing common problems, such as when the Start carte won't open or you can't interact with the taskbar or File Explorer.

Restarting Explorer using Details tab

To restart Explorer.exe with the Details tab to fix common UI issues on Windows ten, use these steps:

Use the Ctrl + Shift + ESC keyboard shortcut to open the Task Manager feel.
If you're using the Task Manager in meaty style, click the More details button in the lesser-left corner.
Click on the Details tab.
Correct-click the explorer.exe procedure and select the Cease chore pick.
Click the End procedure button.
Click the File bill of fare, and select the Run new chore option.
Type the following command to restart the procedure and click the OK push:

explorer.exe

Afterward yous complete the steps, the Explorer.exe restart again hopefully fixing freezes and other issues with the desktop environs.

Windows Explorer procedure changes with the May 2019 Update

Starting with the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, the Start carte du jour will appear as a split up StartMenuExperienceHost.exe process to streamline debugging and isolate the feature from possible problems.

However, you won't necessarily need to terminate both processes to troubleshoot issues, as ending the Explorer.exe will also automatically reset the new Start process. But go along in mind that if you finish the StartMenuExperienceHost.exe process it won't stop the Explorer.exe procedure. Also, unlike Explorer.exe, whether you lot terminate or restart the process, StartMenuExperienceHost.exe should ever start again automatically.

In the rare instance that the Start menu doesn't start automatically (no pun intended), and so you lot can force it using these steps:

Use the Ctrl + Shift + ESC keyboard shortcut to open the Task Manager experience.
If y'all're using the Chore Manager in compact mode, click the More details button in the bottom-left corner.
Click the File carte, and select the Run new task option.
Type the post-obit command and click the OK button:

%SystemRoot%\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\StartMenuExperienceHost.exe

How to reset Explorer.exe using batch file

Alternatively, you can also create a batch file that includes the commands to quickly terminate and restart the Windows Explorer procedure automatically using these steps:

Open First.
Search for Notepad and click the top result to open the app.

Re-create and paste the following script to the text file:

              taskkill /f /im explorer.exe start explorer.exe

Click the File menu, and select the Salve Every bit choice.
Type a descriptive name with a .bat file extension.

Quick tip: It's recommended to save the batch file in the desktop, in case the experience freezes, and y'all demand a quick way to restart the process.
Click the Save button.

One time y'all complete the steps, when you're having bug with the taskbar, Beginning card, or File Explorer, only double-click the batch file to reset the Explorer.exe process.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful manufactures, coverage, and answers to common questions almost Windows ten, visit the following resources:

Windows 10 on Windows Central – All yous need to know
Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
Windows 10 forums on Windows Central

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