Windows Explorer, also commonly known as File Explorer is by far one of the most commonly used Windows applications. But there are several instances where you might encounter Windows 10 Explorer keeps crashing. The only workaround is to wait until you restart your system. 

Some of the underlying reasons why Windows Explorer might crash include improper system settings, lack of permissions, installing incompatible applications, and more. In this post, we are going to discuss some of the most prominent fixes for Windows 10 Explorer Keeps Crashing. 

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How to Fix Windows 10 Explorer from Crashing 

1. Update Your Windows 10 PC

One of the easiest fixes around any problem is to keep your Windows up to date. There are several instances where the underlying problem is fixed via Windows Update. In order to update your Windows 10 PC, follow the steps down below: 

Step 1: Press the ‘Windows Key + I’ to open Settings. Now go to Settings Update & Security

Step 2: Select Windows Update and click on Check for updates from the right panel. 

Step 3: Once updates are available, Windows will download them automatically. Once downloaded, restart your PC, to check whether the problem still persists. 

2. Try to Disable Thumbnails

There are several instances where thumbnails can be the underlying reason behind your Windows 10 Explorer crashing. This is especially applicable if there are multiple images within a folder. So, disabling the thumbnail can assist you in solving the issue. 

Step 1: Look for ‘Control Panel’ in Windows Search and click on the first result. 

Step 2: Change the View by to Large icons and look for ‘File Explorer Options.

Step 3: Head over to the View tab and tick the box ‘Always show icons, never thumbnailsand click on Apply to Save changes. 

Once you have disabled thumbnails, try to check whether the problem still persists. 

3. Clear History from File Explorer

If it is not the Thumbnails, it can be the File Explorer history altogether. Try clearing the history from your File Explorer to resolve Windows 10 Explorer crashing issue. Follow the steps down below: 

Step 1: At first, open File Explorer Options and head over to the General tab.

Step 2: Under the Privacy section, click on ‘Clear.’ This will clear any history within your File Explorer in a matter of seconds. 

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4. Dedicate Separate Process to Launch Folder Windows

Any File Explorer window runs within the explorer.exe process. This can become the underlying problem since the crash of File Explorer, it can take down the entire Windows Explorer. But there is an easy fix to the same. Simply enable ‘Launch folder windows in a separate process.’ Here’s how you can do it: 

Step 1:  At first, open File Explorer Options and head over to the View tab.

Step 2: Tick the box that states, ‘Launch folder windows in a separate process and click on Apply to Save changes. 

5. Run CHKDSK and SFC Scans

CHKSDSK and SFC scans are known to solve a plethora of problems that might persist on your Windows PC. You can also use the same to solve the issue with Windows 10 Explorer keeps crashing. 

Perform CHKDSK Scan

Step 1: Search for ‘cmd’ on the Windows Search and right-click on the Command Prompt to Run as administrator

Step 2: Type chkdsk /f /r and press Enter

Step 3: Type to confirm your choice to confirm a hard disk scan and press Enter. Simply exit the Command Prompt. 

Restart your PC and wait until Windows performs a hard disk check. Once you are logged back into your system, try to check whether the issue persists. 

Perform SFC Scan

SFC Scan is often performed during a system file check. In case CHKDSK fails, try to run an SFC scan. 

Step 1: Search for ‘cmd’ on the Windows Search and right-click on the Command Prompt to Run as administrator

Step 2: Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

Step 3: Now wait until Windows is able to detect any damaged file system. In case Windows finds any, it will fix them automatically. 

Now simply restart your PC and check if you are still facing the same issue. 

6. Reinstall Your Graphics Driver 

You would be surprised to know how many problems can arise from an outdated graphics driver. Follow the steps to reinstall your graphics drivers. 

Step 1: Press the ‘Windows Key + X’ all together and Device Manager

Step 2: Expand Display adapters and right-click on your graphics driver to Uninstall.

Step 3: Check the box ‘Delete the driver software for this device’ and click on Uninstall.

Step 4: Restart your PC, and your system will install the graphics driver automatically. In case Windows fails to do so, you can always download the latest version from the manufacturer’s website. 

7. Uninstall any Add-ons

There are a plethora of applications that might end up installing add-ons in Windows Explorer. While these add-ons can be convenient at times, they can also significantly affect the overall responsiveness of Windows Explorer. Uninstall all third-party add-ons and check if it fixes the problem. In case it works, you can always install add-ons one by one to churn out the one creating the issue in the first place. 

8. Run Netsh Winsock Reset

There is yet another Windows command you can use to fix the issue with Windows 10 Explorer. 

Step 1: Search for ‘cmd’ on the Windows Search and right-click on the Command Prompt to Run as administrator

Step 2: Type Netsh Winsock Reset and press Enter.

Step 3: Restart your PC.

9. Disable Quick Access 

While quick access is an easier way to open any folder, it can become the underlying reason for Windows 10 Explorer crashing. Here’s how you can disable Quick Access in File Explorer. 

Step 1: At first, open File Explorer Options and head over to the General tab.

Step 2: Toggle between Quick access and set to Open File Explorer to This PC.

Step 3: Now go to the Privacy section and uncheck both the options stating, ’Show recently used files in Quick access’ and ‘Show frequently used folders in Quick access.’ Click on Apply to Save changes. 

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The Bottom Line 

While using your Windows PC on a regular basis, there are several instances where one or another program might crash. In order to restore your PC, it is imperative that you create a system image from the time your PC was running normally. 

In addition to creating a system backup, make sure to follow through with the mentioned above to run File Explorer with ease. So, let us know in the comment section below, which method worked best for you.

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