File Explorer not responding in Windows 10

Anonymous
2017-12-02T17:21:07+00:00

windows 10 my file explorer is not responding. 

[Moved from: Windows / Windows 10 / Files, folders, & storage]

*Modified title for accuracy*

*Original title: windows 10 file explorer not responding*

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Performance and system failures

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2017-12-02T17:49:03+00:00

Open Start, type: file explorer options

Hit Enter

Select the General tab

Click Restore defaults

Could be an issue with your display driver.

uninstall your display driver then restart

Press Windows key + X

Click Device Manager

Expand Display adapters

Right click the current display adapter

Click Uninstall

Exit Device Manager

Restart

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Greg Carmack 24,780 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2017-12-02T18:17:59+00:00

I'm Greg, a volunteer installation specialist and 8 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

Right click Start button to open Task Manager.

On Processes tab, scroll down to Windows Explorer under Windows Processes. Highlight, then click Restart button at bottom.

If this isnt' enough go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

But remember that Factory or Upgrade installs are inferior installs which most enthusiasts won't even run because they'd expect endless issues. Consider doing the Clean Install in this link which compiles the best possible install that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

There is also an automated Refresh that reinstalls WIndows while shedding corrupting factory bloatware, saves your files, but doesn't clear the drive to get it cleanest: https://www.howtogeek.com/265054/how-to-easily-...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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109 additional answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-08-31T17:44:08+00:00

    I think you might be right, Bill. I have some mapped drives to other computers on our network that I need to access. One is still an old XP machine, and sometimes the drive maps OK, but a lot of times it doesn't. I'm betting Quick Access was wanting to connect to a mapped drive, couldn't do it, so it caused File Explorer to stop working. It's kind of strange because if I use the command prompt and ping the XP computer, then it can connect to the mapped drive. Weird.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-09-02T02:01:05+00:00

    none of the above are working. Any suggestions? File Explorer still not working and the computer is a week old. It has the recent Windows 10. Should I be trying to fix Quick Access? I did uninstall and reinstall the driver but no luck.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-09-14T21:30:23+00:00

    I cannot access Quick Access! As soon as I open File Explorer the little blue circle begins to go around and around and I get a message that says "working on it." Then everything turns faded and locks up.  I have to go into task manager to close file explorer.  I've tried everything.  Please help!!

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