Windows Explorer crashes

Possible solutions

Choose the method that matches your situation. Start with the simplest suitable option and check the result. If the problem is fixed, you do not need to continue with the other methods.

1. Rebooting Explorer

   In Task Manager, select Windows Explorer > Restart.

   Steps to follow

   1. Press Ctrl, Shift and Esc together to open the Task Manager.
   2. If you only see a short list of apps, click More info if available.
   3. In the list of processes, find Windows Explorer, highlight it and select Restart.
   4. If it is not there, click "Run new task", type explorer.exe and confirm.
   5. Check if the desktop and taskbar are back. If it disappears again, check for the last program or driver change.

2. Removing the problematic attachment

   If it started after installing the app, check its context menu or preview integration.

   Steps to follow

   1. Make a note of the program installed before Explorer crashed, especially if it added a right-click menu item.
   2. Check its official update or disable integration in app settings.
   3. If you need to uninstall, save your documents and go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps only.
   4. Reload and open the same folder. Do not disable unfamiliar system add-ons all at once.

3. Checking system files

   If the problem is more extensive and the drive is stable, use DISM then SFC in the admin terminal.

   Steps to follow

   1. Click on Start and type "cmd" in the search.
   2. Select "Run as administrator" and confirm if prompted.
   3. Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.
   4. Wait for the completion and success message; do not close the window.
   5. In the same window, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
   6. When the check is complete, write down the result, reboot and repeat the problem. If the first command returns an error, pass its text to the master; do not apply bootloader to Windows in the /Online recovery environment.