[Fix]File Explorer keeps crashing in Windows 10

Windows Explorer is the useful utility function required every now and then by the users. Along with its popularity, it accompanies some errors also. One of the most common and annoying issues is the Windows file explorer keeps crashing.

Users have been complaining about it for a long time. When they try to open any folder, the File Explorer window and the taskbar abruptly closes down and sometimes reopen after a few seconds at its own.

Though Microsoft is rolling out a series of updates aimed at fixing this issue, still many users are reporting Windows File Explorer crashes.

You can get rid of this error through this guide. Follow these hacks to fix the ‘Windows 10 file explorer keeps crashing’ issue.

Since there are no particular causes behind this error but there are some possible reasons responsible for this error, such as a recent software or hardware upgrade, corrupted Windows 10 settings, damaged system files, malfunctioning of Shell Extensions, etc.

What is Windows File Explorer?

File Explorer is a file management application used by Windows operating systems to browse folders and files. It provides a graphical interface for the user to navigate and access the files stored on the computer. The main way to access the Windows File Explorer is by clicking the folder icon in the Taskbar. After clicking on the icon, the File Explorer window will open.

Windows File Explorer keeps crashing can be a big issue, but users also reported the following issues with File Explorer:

• File Explorer crashes when right-click– The most common variant of this issue is File explorer crashes when you right-click anything.
• File Explorer Quick Access crash– Users encountered frequently that FIle Explorer crashes while enjoying the Quick Access feature.
• File Explorer hangs in Windows 10 – The common issue reported by users is, File Explorer slowdowns and hanging issues. Sometimes File Explorer crashes are relinquished by frequent hangs.
• File Explorer not responding/working– Many of the times’ File Explorer stop working completely. In such situations, it needs to be closed forcefully.
• File Explorer won’t open – Sometimes File Explorer won’t start. Though it is a serious issue, it can be fixed by our hacks.
• File Explorer is opening slow – Some users faced that File Explorer is slow and it takes too much extra time to open.
• File Explorer closes immediately – Many users reported that File Explorer closes frequently. And due to these crashes, they are unable to start.
• File Explorer keeps closing abruptly – As per many users, File Explorer keeps closing abruptly.
• Windows 10 Explorer crash loop – This is one of the most serious issues since File Explorer can keep crashing constantly. In a typical situation, the crash loop will be monitored.

If you are facing any of the issues stated then follow the below-mentioned hacks to fix the error:

Must Read: How to view hidden files and folders in Windows and Mac?

How to Fix Windows 10 File Explorer Keeps Crashing?

Does your Windows file explorer keep crashing when you right-click on a file or folder? It’s a very annoying and frustrating thing if the Windows File Explorer keeps crashing when you search files. The error pop-up saying Windows Explorer crashing to fix this bug. But don’t worry. Devicetricks has come up with a tutorial where detailed solutions are explained step by step to fix the error. Follow this guide to fix the Windows 10 file explorer keeps crashing’ issue.

Resetting the Winsock and running the netsh

• Search for Command Prompt in the Start menu and right-click to Run it as Administrator.

• In the Command prompt window type netsh winsock reset and hit Enter to run the command.

• Restart the system to save the changes and check the Windows Explorer.

Acquiring full permission for accessing the folder

• Select the folder you want to get full permission of and right-click the folder to select properties from the menu.

• Navigate to the Security section in the listed upper tab and click on the Advanced button.

• Next, in the Advanced Security Settings window, click on Change to edit the name.

• Later eventually click on Advanced and simply add the user name in the “Enter the object name to select” field.

• On pressing the Advanced button a new window will pop-up in which click on the Find Now button and select the name from the list shown below and press OK to save the changes.

• To set full access to the file or the folder once again right-click on the folder and select properties. In the security, tab Click on the Edit button to set the full access to file or folder.

• Tick mark the Full control box and save the changes by click on the OK and Apply button.

• Performing these steps will give full permission to handle a file or a folder which will indirectly help in resolving the Windows 10 File Explorer crashes.

Change the file explorer Windows Option settings

• Search for File Explorer Option in the start menu and select to open the window.

• Navigate to View tab in the index to change the settings.

• Click on the box next to “Launch folder windows in a separate process” and press OK to save the changes.

Change the text size

• In order to open the Windows settings press Windows Key + I key simultaneously. Navigate to Systems category in the Windows settings window.

• In the system window, scroll down to Display settings under which select for Scale and layout column and set the text size value to 100% or more.

• Changing the text size will resolve the issue for Windows Explorer crashing.

Clean the File explorer history

•  Open the File Explorer option by searching it in the Start menu and select to open it.

• In the general tab scroll down to the Privacy section and hit the clear button to clear the history.

• Once you have cleared the history it would have helped in solving the Windows Explorer crashes error.

Stop displaying recently used files and folders in the Quick access window

• Once again open the File Explorer option as shown in the above steps and navigate to the privacy section in the General tab.

• Make sure the boxes next to Show recently used files Quick access and Show frequently used folders in quick access uncheck them. Press OK and Apply button to save the changes.

Install the latest updates for Windows

• In order to update the Windows, navigate to Windows setting by pressing Windows Key +I key altogether. Select the Update and Security option and click on the Check for updates button.

Disabling preview pane and preview handlers

• A directory needs to be opened in File Explorer and navigate yourself to View tab in the above-shown bar and ensure that the preview pane option is not selected.

• Once again open the View tab and select the Options section.

• The folder options window will pop-up navigate to view tab. Uncheck the box next to Show preview handlers in the preview pane and press OK and Apply button to save the changes.

• Now after turning on these options, the Windows Explorer crashing problem should not occur.

Altering the changes in File Explorer to open this PC

• Open the File Explorer options as done in previous steps and set the Open file explorer to This PC and click OK and Apply button to save the changes.

Graphics card driver needs to be reinstalled

• Search for device manager in the Start menu and select to open the window.

• Locate the Graphics card you use it right-click on it and select the Uninstall device option.

• Once the uninstallation is finished reinstall the driver automatically.

Conclusion

We hope this tutorial has helped in recovering the File explorer crashing error in Windows 10. If you like this tutorial please like, share and follow our Facebook page and do write your queries in our comment box below. To be in touch with more such useful tutorials stay tuned to our website.