How to Restart Windows Explorer and Why You Might Want to
First — why would you want to restart Windows Explorer? Well, there are several reasons, but here are the two main reasons.
1. Your start button, the Windows Settings app, or some other Windows feature stops working.
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2. Your computer suddenly starts running poorly and/or seems non-responsive at times.
How to restart Windows Explorer in Windows 10 and Windows 11
Hold down the Ctrl and Shift and Esc keys to bring up Task Manager. File Explorer will open by default to “Processes”. Click on “Name” to alphabetize the list and find “Windows Explorer” in the list, right-click on it, and then click “Restart”. Note – in Windows 10, File Explorer is listed under Windows Processes.
Above: Windows 10. Below: Windows 11.
If you see more than one Windows Explorer process end them all. No worries.
When you restart the Windows Explorer process it also terminates the Desktop shell, so right away you’ll notice that all your desktop and taskbar icons disappear. Don’t worry. They’ll all reappear in a minute or so.
If your computer seems sluggish or if your Start menu, Windows Settings app, or some other Windows feature stops working, try restarting the Windows Explorer process.
If restarting the Windows Explorer process does not help, try restarting your computer.