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File Explorer is the Windows 10 tool for opening folders, managing files, browsing drives, and accessing network locations. If it will not open, keeps freezing, or refuses to copy, rename, or delete items, work through the fixes below in order.
Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. The operating system still works, but Microsoft no longer provides regular Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for it. The troubleshooting steps below remain useful for existing Windows 10 installations.
Open File Explorer in Windows 10
Try any of these methods:
- Select the File Explorer icon on the taskbar.
- Press Windows + E.
- Select Start > Documents. In Windows 10, Documents appears beneath your user account icon in the Start menu.
Quick fixes when File Explorer will not open
1. Restart Windows Explorer
If the taskbar, desktop, or File Explorer has stopped responding, restart its Windows Explorer process without restarting the whole PC.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Find Windows Explorer in the list.
- Right-click it and select Restart.
- If it is not listed, select File > Run new task.
- Type
explorer.exeand press Enter.
The screen may disappear briefly while the process restarts. This can restore the taskbar, desktop, Start menu, and open Explorer windows.
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2. Check for Windows updates
- Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates.
- Install anything available and restart the computer.
Restart even if Windows does not specifically request it. A pending update can require a reboot before its changes take effect. On a fully updated Windows 10 PC after the end-of-support date, however, there may be no new regular updates to install.
3. Run System Maintenance
The built-in System Maintenance troubleshooter can check some problems involving shortcuts, maintenance tasks, and system behavior.
- Type control panel in the taskbar search box and open Control Panel.
- Set View by to Large icons or Small icons.
- Select Troubleshooting > View all > System Maintenance.
- Select Next.
- Select Try troubleshooting as an administrator, if offered, and review the results.
4. Repair Windows system files
Damaged Windows components can cause Explorer crashes or prevent it from starting. Run DISM first, then System File Checker.
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- Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Select Yes at the permission prompt.
- Run this command exactly, including the spaces:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /RestorehealthWait for The operation completed successfully. Then run:
sfc /scannowWait for Verification 100% complete. Type exit and press Enter when finished. Do not close the Command Prompt window while either scan is still running.
5. Run Disk Cleanup
A severely cluttered system drive can contribute to poor Explorer performance.
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- Search for disk cleanup and open it.
- Choose a drive, normally C:, and select OK.
- Select the categories of files you want to remove.
- Check the Recycle Bin before continuing.
- Select OK, then confirm the deletion.
Emptying the Recycle Bin permanently deletes the files inside it, so restore anything you may need before confirming.
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Fix specific File Explorer problems
| Problem | First thing to try |
|---|---|
| Explorer or the taskbar is frozen | Restart Windows Explorer in Task Manager. |
| Explorer crashes after damaged system activity | Run DISM followed by sfc /scannow. |
| A file cannot be deleted | Open its actual folder, not just a Quick access entry, and try again. |
| A network folder cannot be opened | Check the network connection, server availability, and your permissions. |
| File extensions are missing | Use View > Options > View and clear Hide extensions for known file types. |
| Hidden files are missing | Use View > Options > View and change the hidden-files setting. |
| Explorer opens to unwanted recent items | Change its startup location to This PC or clear Quick access history. |
Repair virtual-memory settings
Microsoft includes this check among its File Explorer startup remedies. It restores automatic paging-file management.
- Search for and open Control Panel.
- Select System and Security > System > Advanced system settings.
- On the Advanced tab, select Settings under Performance.
- Select the Advanced tab in the next window.
- Under Processor scheduling, confirm Adjust for best performance of is set to Programs.
- Under Virtual memory, select Change.
- Confirm Automatically manage paging file sizes for all drives is selected.
- Select OK, then Apply, and restart Windows.
Run Startup Repair
Use Startup Repair when Explorer problems are part of a wider Windows startup failure.
- Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
- Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
- At Choose an option, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
- Choose your account and enter its password if requested.
Save open work first. Advanced startup restarts the PC and may take several minutes.
Use Quick access correctly
Windows 10 File Explorer normally opens to Quick access. This is not the Windows 11 “Home” interface; Windows 10 continues to use Quick access.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
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- To remove a pinned folder, right-click it and select Unpin from Quick access.
- To remove an unwanted recent item, right-click it and select Remove from Quick access.
Quick access can display links to recent files and frequent folders rather than the files’ actual locations. If a cut, paste, rename, or delete operation fails, right-click the item and select Open first, then perform the operation in its real folder.
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Open to This PC instead
- Open File Explorer.
- Select the View tab.
- Select Options.
- In Open File Explorer to:, select This PC.
- Select Apply, then OK.
To show only folders you have pinned, open View > Options and clear the privacy check boxes for recently used files and frequently used folders. Select Apply. If tracking is enabled again later, removed recent items may return.
Show extensions, hidden files, and libraries
Show file-name extensions
- Open File Explorer and select the View tab.
- Select Options.
- Select the View tab in Folder Options.
- Clear Hide extensions for known file types.
- Select Apply and OK.
Showing extensions makes it easier to distinguish, for example, report.docx from a potentially misleading file such as report.docx.exe.
Show hidden files and folders
- Open File Explorer and select View > Options.
- Open the View tab.
- Under Advanced settings, adjust the hidden-files setting.
- Select Apply and OK.
Do not delete hidden Windows or application files unless you know what they do. The newer View > Show > Hidden items wording belongs to the Windows 11 interface, not the traditional Windows 10 ribbon.
Display Libraries
Libraries are hidden from the Windows 10 navigation pane by default. To display them, select View > Navigation pane > Show libraries.
Use Microsoft’s file and folder troubleshooter
Microsoft’s Windows 10 File and Folder Troubleshooter is aimed at narrower problems rather than a completely unresponsive Explorer. It can address issues such as:
- Being unable to empty the Recycle Bin or delete an item inside it.
- “The file or folder does not exist” errors when moving or renaming.
- Network-share permission and lost-connection errors.
- Incorrect or lost folder-view customizations.
- Shift- or Ctrl-based multiple-item selection not working.
- Icons changing unexpectedly in Explorer, the desktop, or My Computer.
Use Microsoft’s File and Folder Troubleshooter page and select Download. In the File Download dialog, select Run or Open. The tool may be English-only, although its automatic fix can work on a PC using another Windows display language. If you download it on another computer, copy it to the affected PC using a flash drive or CD.
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What to use in the Get Help app
Open the Get Help app and enter the name of a problem or troubleshooter in its search bar. Follow the steps it displays.
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Windows 10 still includes some legacy inbox troubleshooters, and claims that every Windows 10 installation has already lost them are inaccurate. However, Microsoft is moving supported troubleshooting toward Get Help, and older Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool (MSDT) guidance should not be treated as the modern standard.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Reset Windows only as a last resort
If updates, Explorer restart, system-file repair, and recovery tools do not solve the problem, review Microsoft’s Recovery options in Windows. Resetting the PC is a Windows recovery operation, not a File Explorer-only reset.
Back up personal files and verify that you have installation details or license information for important applications before choosing a reset. A reset can remove apps and settings, depending on the option selected.
FAQ
How do I open File Explorer in Windows 10?
Select the File Explorer taskbar icon, press Windows + E, or select Start > Documents.
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Why is File Explorer not responding?
A stalled Windows Explorer process, damaged system files, pending updates, storage problems, or a network location that cannot respond can all cause Explorer to hang. Restart Windows Explorer in Task Manager first, then check updates and run DISM and SFC if needed.
Does Windows 10 have a File Explorer troubleshooter in Get Help?
Microsoft’s current Get Help list does not include a dedicated File Explorer troubleshooter. Windows 10 users can still use the legacy File and Folder Troubleshooter for particular copy, delete, network-share, folder-view, and icon problems.
How do I make File Explorer open to This PC?
Open File Explorer, select View > Options, choose This PC in the Open File Explorer to: list, and select Apply.
How do I restart File Explorer without restarting Windows?
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, right-click Windows Explorer in Task Manager, and select Restart. If it is missing, use File > Run new task, enter explorer.exe, and press Enter.
Is Windows 10 still supported?
No. Microsoft support ended on October 14, 2025. Windows 10 PCs continue to function, but Microsoft no longer provides regular software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes after that date.
The Bottom Line
For most File Explorer failures, restart Windows Explorer, restart the PC, check Windows Update, and repair system files with DISM and SFC. Use the legacy File and Folder Troubleshooter for specific file, folder, Recycle Bin, and network-share errors. If the problem affects Windows startup more broadly, try Startup Repair; reserve a full Windows reset for situations where the other recovery options fail.
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