Then, right-click on the Taskbar and release the Shift and Ctrl keys. Press and hold the Shift and Ctrl keys down at the same time. We’re going first to exit Explorer (end the explorer.exe process) and then rerun it in Task Manager. This method is a bit longer, but we include it for completeness. Exit Explorer from the Taskbar Context Menu and Start it Again from the Task Manager You’ll see the desktop icons and the Taskbar disappear for a second or two and then come back. You can also right-click on the Windows Explorer process and select Restart. Otherwise, you can find the Windows Explorer process under Windows processes on the same tab.Ĭlick on Windows Explorer and then click Restart. If File Explorer is currently open, you’ll see Windows Explorer under Apps on the Processes tab. If the Task Manager looks like the following image, click More details at the bottom. You can also press Shift + Ctrl + Esc to open the Task Manager. Right-click on the Taskbar and select Task Manager. If Windows is still responsive, the easiest way to restart the explorer.exe process is through the Task Manager.

Restart the explorer.exe Process using Task Manager Today, we’ll show you four ways to restart the explorer.exe process in Windows 10. This usually has no negative side effects on other running programs. So, if Windows 10 File Explorer is not responding for you or other parts of the Windows interface are not working as expected, you can refresh the explorer.exe process by restarting it.

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