File Explorer keeps going to Desktop

Anonymous
2024-03-25T17:19:20+00:00

When I browse and view files, File Explorer keeps going to Desktop by itself. It is easy to correct this by simply clicking the back button (<-). I would not mind if this happens once in a while, but it happens almost constantly, so it is a major nuisance.

For example, suppose that I am looking at pictures in folder E:\Pictures\2024\Events\foo, open a picture with Photos, and use it to navigate to different photos, then File Explorer will suddenly jump to Desktop. This is almost 100% reproducible. I will have to click the back button to get back to E:\Pictures\2024\Events\foo.

Could anyone offer a remedy for this?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

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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  1. Anonymous
    2025-04-09T00:19:50+00:00

    Thank you! I'd been dealing with this for over a year and your simple solution did the trick!

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-03-31T02:22:29+00:00

    Hi, hipswich

    Welcome to Microsoft Community.

    It is normal for this page to appear. You just need to click' Open Task Manager'. If you are troubled by the Clean boot step, you can refer to the specific steps with pictures:

    How to perform a clean boot in Windows - Microsoft Support

    If Clean boot doesn't work, you can try the new local administrator account test scheme I provided.

    Sincerely

    Nicholas | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-03-30T14:36:41+00:00

    I have just tried to use method I. It does not seem to be applicable to my version of Windows 11.

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-03-29T02:01:28+00:00

    We noticed that you tried method II but it didn't work, have you tried Clean boot? If not, we suggest you try it to rule out third-party software interference.

    If you are still experiencing this problem, we recommend that you create a new local administrator account and log in to the new account.

    We recommend creating a new local administrator account, logging in to the new account, and seeing if it works:

    Right-click on the desktop → Open in Terminal and type: 

    net user Username 123456 /add

    (Press Enter)

    (Username is the name of the new account, 123456 is the password, you can set the desired name and password, pay attention to the space) 

    net localgroup administrators Username /add

    (Press Enter)

    (Give the account administrator privileges, note that here Username is the name, need to be consistent with the name in the above command)

    Reboot your computer and log in to the new account.

    Check if the problem still exists in the new account.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-03-28T12:27:21+00:00

    Thank you for all the tips.

    I have done "II. Try to repair your system" but it does not help, unfortunately. I will do I which is more dramatic and report back.

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