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When the Windows 11 desktop, taskbar, Start menu, or File Explorer stops responding, restarting explorer.exe can restore the Windows shell without rebooting the PC. You can do it from Command Prompt, PowerShell, Windows Terminal, or Task Manager.
Use the Command Prompt commands if you are working in cmd.exe. PowerShell uses different command syntax, so do not paste the Command Prompt one-liner into PowerShell unchanged.
Restart Explorer.exe from Command Prompt
Open Command Prompt or a Command Prompt profile in Windows Terminal, then run these commands separately:
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taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exeThe first command forcefully ends processes with the explorer.exe image name. The second launches Windows Explorer again. Microsoft documents taskkill and start as Windows commands for ending and launching processes.
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You normally do not need to open Command Prompt as administrator when restarting Explorer for your own Windows session. If Windows reports an access error, reopen it with Run as administrator and try again.
Use one Command Prompt line
In Command Prompt, use an ampersand to run both commands on one line:
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe & start explorer.exeIn cmd.exe, & separates commands. It runs start explorer.exe even if the first command reports that Explorer was not found.
A conditional alternative is:
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe && start explorer.exeHere, the second command runs only when taskkill returns a success status. If Explorer is already stopped, this version may not start it.
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Restart Explorer.exe from PowerShell
Open PowerShell or a PowerShell profile in Windows Terminal and run:
Stop-Process -Name explorer -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
Start-Process explorer.exePowerShell refers to the process as explorer, without the .exe extension, when using Stop-Process -Name. The -Force parameter stops it without prompting. -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue prevents an error from interrupting the command sequence if Explorer is already stopped.
Use one PowerShell line
Stop-Process -Name explorer -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue; Start-Process explorer.exePowerShell uses a semicolon to separate these commands. Do not use the Command Prompt version with &: that symbol has a different meaning in PowerShell.
What disappears when Explorer is restarted?
While explorer.exe is stopped, the Windows desktop, taskbar, Start interface, and open File Explorer windows may disappear. This is expected. Starting Explorer again recreates the shell; it does not restart Windows or reboot the computer.
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Any folder windows managed by the terminated Explorer process may need to be reopened. Restarting Explorer also does not repair damaged system files or resolve a program that repeatedly crashes the shell.
Restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager
If typing commands is inconvenient, use Task Manager:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
- Select More details if Task Manager opens in its compact view.
- On the Processes tab, locate Windows Explorer.
- Right-click it and select Restart.
You can also right-click the Start button and select Task Manager.
If Windows Explorer is not listed
- In Task Manager, select File > Run new task.
- Enter
explorer.exe. - Select OK or press Enter.
This directly launches the shell when no Windows Explorer process is available to restart.
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Common problems after running the command
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
taskkill says Explorer could not be found |
Explorer may already be stopped. Run start explorer.exe separately, or use the PowerShell command with -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue. |
| PowerShell reports “Access is denied” | Open PowerShell with Run as administrator. This can occur when the process belongs to another user or requires elevation. |
| The desktop remains blank | Open Task Manager, choose File > Run new task, enter explorer.exe, and press Enter. |
| Explorer crashes again immediately | The restart only reloads the process. Install available Windows updates, restart the PC, and investigate shell extensions, damaged system files, or other software causing the crash. |
Does the command close every File Explorer process?
These commands select Explorer by its executable or process name, not by one particular folder window. As a result, taskkill /im explorer.exe and Stop-Process -Name explorer can affect all matching Explorer processes in the session. Save work in open Explorer windows before running them.
When restarting Explorer is appropriate
Restart it when the taskbar is frozen, the Start menu will not open, desktop icons have vanished, or File Explorer has stopped responding while the rest of Windows still works. If the entire screen is frozen, the system repeatedly shows a blank screen, or other applications are also failing, restarting Explorer may not be enough. Try Task Manager, a normal Windows restart, Windows Update, or the relevant Windows recovery tools.
Microsoft’s guidance for blank-screen problems identifies restarting Windows Explorer as a useful troubleshooting step. Microsoft also recommends checking for updates and restarting the device when File Explorer will not open or start.
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Can I restart Explorer without administrator privileges?
Usually, yes, when restarting the Explorer process owned by your Windows account. Use an elevated Command Prompt or PowerShell window only if Windows returns “Access is denied” or the process belongs to another user.
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Why does the taskbar disappear after I run the command?
The taskbar and desktop are part of the Windows shell hosted by Explorer. They disappear temporarily when Explorer is terminated and should return after start explorer.exe or Start-Process explorer.exe runs.
What is the PowerShell equivalent of taskkill /f /im explorer.exe?
Use Stop-Process -Name explorer -Force. To restart it in the same operation, run Stop-Process -Name explorer -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue; Start-Process explorer.exe.
Will restarting Explorer restart Windows 11?
No. It only stops and launches the Windows shell. The computer does not reboot, although the taskbar, desktop, Start menu, and File Explorer windows can briefly disappear.
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For Command Prompt, run taskkill /f /im explorer.exe followed by start explorer.exe. For PowerShell, use Stop-Process -Name explorer -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue followed by Start-Process explorer.exe. If Explorer is already stopped, launch explorer.exe from Task Manager with File > Run new task.
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