How to Restart Windows Explorer (explorer.exe)

Windows Explorer (explorer.exe) is the main interface of the operating system, responsible for displaying the file system, desktop, and taskbar. In some cases, when Explorer starts to behave incorrectly (for example, if it’s slow or unresponsive), you can restart it without rebooting your computer. This can help restore normal functionality. Here’s how to do it.

Method 1: Restart via Task Manager

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
  2. In the list of processes, find Windows Explorer or explorer.exe.
  3. Right-click on the process and select Restart. Explorer will automatically restart, and the desktop and taskbar will reappear.

Method 2: Manually Restart the Process

  1. Close Explorer: open the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find the explorer.exe process, and select End Task.
  2. To restart the process, go to the File menu in Task Manager and click on Run new task.
  3. Type explorer.exe and click OK. The desktop and Explorer will reappear.

Method 3: Restart via Command Prompt

Another option is to use the Command Prompt:

  1. Open Command Prompt (press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter).
  2. Enter the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each:
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe

These commands will end the explorer.exe process and then restart it.

When Should You Restart Explorer?

Restarting Explorer is helpful in situations where:

  • The taskbar or desktop isn’t responding to user actions;
  • Explorer starts freezing or running slowly;
  • There are issues with displaying files or icons on the desktop.

By following these steps, you can quickly restore Explorer’s functionality without having to reboot the entire system.