How to Relaunch Explorer.exe: A Comprehensive Guide
Are you experiencing issues with your Windows Explorer? Perhaps it has frozen, crashed, or simply stopped responding. In such cases, relaunching the explorer.exe process can help resolve the problem. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to relaunch explorer.exe on your Windows system.
Understanding Explorer.exe
Before we dive into the steps, let’s first understand what explorer.exe is. Explorer.exe is the executable file responsible for managing the graphical user interface (GUI) of your Windows operating system. It is responsible for displaying the desktop, file explorer, taskbar, and other essential elements. When explorer.exe stops working, it can lead to a blank screen or a partially functioning system.
Step 1: Use Task Manager to Relaunch Explorer.exe
The simplest way to relaunch explorer.exe is by using the Task Manager. Here’s how to do it:
1. Press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` to open the Task Manager.
2. In the Processes tab, scroll down and find the explorer.exe process.
3. Right-click on explorer.exe and select “End Task.”
4. A dialog box will appear, asking for confirmation. Click “End Task” again to proceed.
5. Once the explorer.exe process is terminated, the Task Manager will close automatically.
6. Press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` again to reopen the Task Manager.
7. Go to the File menu and select “Run new task.”
8. In the “Create new task” window, type “explorer.exe” (without quotes) and press “OK.”
Step 2: Relaunch Explorer.exe Using Command Prompt
If the Task Manager method doesn’t work, you can try using the Command Prompt. Here’s how:
1. Press `Win + X` and select “Windows Terminal (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the list.
2. In the Command Prompt window, type “taskkill /im explorer.exe /f” and press Enter. This command will force-terminate the explorer.exe process.
3. After a few seconds, type “start explorer.exe” and press Enter. This command will relaunch the explorer.exe process.
Step 3: Relaunch Explorer.exe Using Safe Mode
If the above methods don’t work, you can try booting your computer into Safe Mode and relaunching explorer.exe. Here’s how:
1. Restart your computer and press `F8` before the Windows logo appears.
2. From the Advanced Boot Options menu, select “Safe Mode” and press Enter.
3. Once in Safe Mode, press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` to open the Task Manager.
4. Follow the steps mentioned in Step 1 to relaunch explorer.exe.
Conclusion
Relaunching explorer.exe can help resolve various issues related to your Windows Explorer. By using the Task Manager, Command Prompt, or Safe Mode, you can easily restart the explorer.exe process and get your system back up and running. Remember to back up your important data before attempting any troubleshooting steps.
