How to Restart Windows Explorer Without Rebooting Computer
Method 1 of 2:
Windows 10 and 8
-
Open the Task Manager. Since the taskbar is likely to be frozen along with Windows Explorer, pressing Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Esc will also open the Task Manager. -
Switch to the detailed view, if in the simplified view. Click the "More details" button at the bottom-left, which will expand the window and allow you to view your active processes. -
Click the "Name" column heading. Doing so will organize the content in the window and allow you to find the Windows Explorer process easier. -
Scroll down to the "Windows processes" section at the bottom of the list. -
Click the "Windows Explorer" process listing. It'll have a small file foldericon next to it.
-
Restart Windows Explorer. Click the Restart button at the bottom-right corner of the Task Manager window. Doing so will end the process and begin another instance of it.- Alternatively, right-click the listing and click Restart.
Method 2 of 2:
Windows 7, Vista, and XP
-
Open the Task Manager. Since the taskbar is likely to be frozen along with Windows Explorer, pressing Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Esc will also open the Task Manager. -
Click the Processes tab. -
Click the "Image Name" column heading. so will order the processes from A-Z and allow you to find the Windows Explorer process easier. -
Click the "explorer.exe" process listing. -
End the Windows Explorer process. Click the End Process button at the bottom-right corner of the Task Manager window. The Windows Shell and any open Windows Explorer windows will disappear. -
Click the "File" menu in the top bar. -
Click New Task (Run…). Doing so will open a Run window. -
Run Windows Explorer. Type explorer and click OK or hit the ↵ Enter key. The Windows Shell GUI will return, although any previously-closed Windows Explorer windows will not be re-opened.
4 ★ | 1 Vote
You should read it
- How to scan viruses on Windows with Process Explorer
- How to check the application using Webcam using Process Explorer
- Customize Windows Explorer in Windows 7
- Windows Explorer error repeatedly restarts and crashes, this is how to fix it
- How to Open Windows Explorer
- Error file explorer.exe on Windows 10 - Causes and fixes














