Are you struggling with sudden crashes on your PC? Is the desktop screen going blank?
When File Explorer does not work properly, users face these common issues. To get help with them, you will first need to understand how File Explorer works on Windows 10/11, its role in the operating system, and, more importantly, what you can do if It freezes or stops responding.
File Explorer is an integral part of the Windows operating system, allowing you to find and open files, folders, etc. Unfortunately, when the OS is unstable or outdated, you may face issues with File Explorer, leading to sudden crashes.
In this post, we will take a detailed tour of how File Explorer works and learn how to make the most of it. Bookmark this now if you often face issues with It.
What is File Explorer? How to Access on Windows 10/11?
File Explorer is an integrated file management program in Windows. Previously known as Windows Explorer, the program’s basic utility is to allow a user to navigate through files saved on their computer. Technically, it is a GUI (graphical user interface) that allows a user to manage every type of data and perform operations on it to manipulate its properties.
It is impossible to navigate through Windows without using the File Explorer.
How to Access File Explorer?
To use File Explorer to its full potential, you need to learn many things. For instance, you must know how to launch the explorer and how to access it.
To use File Explorer on Windows 10/11, you have the following ways –
1. Access Via Desktop—When your PC launches, you have a desktop view. Here, you will find This PC icon. Double-click on it to launch the File Explorer window. You can easily select the drive to access, along with easy management shortcuts like creating new folders, finding their properties, and changing them accordingly.
2. Access Via Task Bar—After powering your PC and logging in to the desktop screen, you get a bar at the bottom, the Task Bar. Here, you can find an icon for your File Explorer that can be used to access it. Simply left-click on it, and you are good to go. Opening the File Explorer via the Taskbar will take you to the libraries section of your PC. From there, you can navigate to any folder of your choice.
3. Access Via Run Command—In case you have accidentally removed This PC shortcut from the desktop and unpinned Explorer from the TaskBar, you can access File Explorer on Windows via Run search. All you have to do is press Win+R on your keyboard and type the command “explorer.” Hit enter, and you will see the File Explorer launch on your screen.
Other than these, you always have the option to use the Start Menu to search for File Explorer. Advanced users can use Win+X to open the quick access menu, from which you can directly open File Explorer.
All in all accessing the explorer in Windows is easy as long as all your hardware is working fine. In case you have issues with your keyboard or mouse, you can use any of the listed methods.
Windows File Explorer: Features & Shortcuts
The File Explorer on Windows has multiple features that allow you to interact with your files better. It is the default file manager tool for Windows users, meaning it is a legacy tool with all the features unlocked and open for access to every individual. Some of the highlighted actions and features that you can use through this file management tool are as follows –
- Instant Access to All Your Files & Folders
- Integrated Access to iCloud, OneDriver, Network Drives
- External Drive Access & Operations
- Creating Folders
- Sharing Options
- Preview Files & Sorting Options
- Multiple Tab Options (Windows 11)
- Enable/Disable Quick Access
With all these added features and accessibility options, File Explorer has become one of the most crucial applications for Windows users. Using all these features can be handy, and multiple shortcuts can make it more convenient for users. Check out the following table.
With all these shortcuts up your sleeve, you are nothing less than a File Explorer ninja. Try them now to save time and make the most out of your Windows experience. However, all these benefits and features do not ensure your experience is ironclad. You may come across many hiccups while using File Explorer. What are these issues? How can you get help with File Explorer in Windows? Let’s find out in the next section.
Common File Explorer Errors & Why Do They Appear
There are several issues that Windows 10/11 users have faced while using File Explorer. Some of these errors that you too may have or might encounter are –
- File Explorer Stopped Responding
- File Explorer Freezing
- File Explorer Taking Long to Open
- File Explorer Keeps Hanging
- File Explorer Not Launching on Startup
- File Explorer Blank Screen
These errors appear to be similar, but they are encountered for different reasons. One of the differentiating factors is, of course, the build, version, and resources available for a PC. For instance, if you are using an outdated version of Windows or have a PC with lesser RAM/ROM availability, you will experience jitters in the overall performance of your File Explorer.
In case you are facing any of these issues, you must check the following factors as these are some potential issues that may be causing these errors –
- Outdated Drivers on Your PC
- Unoptimized PC Resources
- Outdated OS Version
- Lack of Available Memory
- Using Trial/Fake Version of Windows
Either way, getting help with File Explorer becomes a necessity. If you are struggling with similar errors, do not hesitate to find help. Where to find it?
Well, we have curated some effective steps to resolve the errors. Check out the next section.
How to Solve File Explorer Glitches?
To ensure that your PC File Explorer is working properly, some hacks can help you out. Some basic preventive measures include –
- Keep Your PC Always Up to Date
- Try Optimizing Your RAM Usage
- Remove Bulk Startup Applications
- Keep PC Drivers Up to Date
- Clean Your Storage Timely
Keeping these tips in mind, you can easily avoid having errors with your File Explorer. However, if any of the File Explorer-specific errors have appeared on your PC, check out the following errors and their solutions.
Error 1: File Explorer Freezing After Update
Solution – Uninstall the last update
Step 1 – Press Win+I on your keyboard to open System Settings.
Step 2 – From the Left Panel, click on Windows Update.
Step 3 – Click on Update History to find all the installed updates.
Step 4 – Scroll down to find the Uninstall Updates option.
Step 5 – Select the update after which File Explorer has started freezing and uninstall it.
Error 2: File Explorer Hangs After Right-Click
Solution: Use CMD Winsock Reset
Step 1 – Go to the Start Menu and search for Command Prompt.
Step 2 – Launch the program as administrator.
Step 3 – Use the command – netsh and hit enter.
Step 4 – In the next step, use the command winsock reset.
Step 5 – This will reset the Winsock catalog allowing you to optimize your File Explorer usage.
Error 3: File Explorer Taking Too Long
Solution: Free Up Working Memory on the PC
Step 1 – Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open the task manager.
Step 2 – Check the memory usage and click on it to sort the application as per usage.
Step 3 – End tasks that take too much memory to run as they do not leave enough space for the File Explorer to run smoothly.
Step 4 – Upgrade your PC memory so you do not face the issue repeatedly.
Read Also: Best Ways to Fix File Explorer is Slow in Windows 11
Error 4: File Explorer Blank Screen
Solution: Optimize Your PC Applications & Usage
Step 1 – Look for the best PC optimizer available to you. We recommend downloading Advanced System Optimizer.
Step 2 – Download and install the application via the following link.
Step 3 – Run the Smart PC Care scam.
Step 4—Once the scan is over, you will find all the errors from multiple categories on your PC.
Step 5 – Use the Optimize Now button to eliminate the errors.
Using the Advanced System Optimizer, you can also manage different aspects of your PC, such as memory usage, Startup Applications, Updating Drivers, etc.
Other than these fixes, the ultimate thing you can use is the PC reset option. This allows you to reinstall the Windows version you are on so that all the settings are set to default. Also, updating your drivers regularly is necessary to maximize your application.
Need Help With Files Explorer in Windows? We Have Got Your Covered!
After reading everything, we are confident you can resolve your issues with Windows File Explorer. The application is truly the operating system’s most basic yet crucial component. Hence, keeping it optimized and working is a necessity. Needless to say, you can always get performance-enhancing features via the Advanced System Optimizer, a one-stop PC optimization application.
If you find any other issue with File Explorer and need assistance, comment below. We would love to help you out. Needless to say, bookmark this post so that whenever you get agitated due to File Explorer not working properly, you can easily come back and refer to the fixes.
That will be all for this post. Thanks for reading, Good Luck!
