How to restart Explorer.exe to fix a frozen desktop, Start Menu, File Explorer and more on Windows 10

On Windows 10, "Windows Explorer" (Explorer.exe) is the procedure responsible for starting and displaying most of the user interface (UI), including the desktop, taskbar, Action Center, Outset menu, and File Explorer.

Usually, the process tin can piece of work without a glitch for a long time, just eventually one or more of its elements could pause causing Windows 10 to freeze or stop responding entirely, leaving you unable to open the Commencement carte du jour or interact with the taskbar or other experiences. When this occurs, most users volition just accomplish for the ability push button to ready the problem, but it could be an event that you lot may be able to resolve by but restarting the process without the risk of losing unsaved changes.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through several ways to quickly restart the Explorer.exe process to prepare UI issues.

How to reset Explorer.exe using Task Director
How to reset Explorer.exe using batch file

Important: Although many of the UI problems can happen because of issues with the Windows Explorer procedure, it can besides exist a graphics driver related problem, including when the screen flashes or flickers.

How to reset Explorer.exe using Job Director

On Windows ten, you tin can reset the Windows Explorer process in at least ii unlike means using Task Director.

Restarting Explorer using Processes tab

To restart Explorer.exe with the Processes tab to fix common UI bug on Windows 10, use these steps:

Use the Ctrl + Shift + ESC keyboard shortcut to open up the Task Manager feel.

Quick tip: There's not but i way to open Task Managing director, y'all can access the experience in various ways. For example, through the Ctrl + Alt + Del keyboard shortcut, power user carte du jour (Windows central + 10 keyboard shortcut ), searching for the app in the Start bill of fare, and more than. However, if you're having problems with the UI, the Ctrl + Shift + ESC keyboard shortcut is perhaps the most straight way to the experience.
If y'all're using the Chore Manager in compact mode, click the More details button in the lesser-left corner.
Click on the Processes tab.
Under the "Windows processes" section, select the Windows Explorer process.
Click the Restart button on the bottom-right corner.

In one case you lot consummate the steps, the process volition terminate and restart automatically, fixing common problems, such as when the Kickoff carte du jour won't open or yous can't collaborate with the taskbar or File Explorer.

Restarting Explorer using Details tab

To restart Explorer.exe with the Details tab to fix common UI issues on Windows 10, use these steps:

Use the Ctrl + Shift + ESC keyboard shortcut to open the Task Manager experience.
If y'all're using the Task Manager in meaty mode, click the More details button in the bottom-left corner.
Click on the Details tab.
Right-click the explorer.exe process and select the Finish chore option.
Click the Finish procedure button.
Click the File menu, and select the Run new task selection.
Type the following control to restart the process and click the OK push:

explorer.exe

After y'all consummate the steps, the Explorer.exe restart again hopefully fixing freezes and other issues with the desktop surround.

Windows Explorer process changes with the May 2022 Update

Starting with the Windows 10 May 2022 Update, the Outset menu will announced as a separate StartMenuExperienceHost.exe process to streamline debugging and isolate the feature from possible issues.

However, you won't necessarily need to end both processes to troubleshoot issues, as catastrophe the Explorer.exe will also automatically reset the new Start process. Just keep in mind that if you finish the StartMenuExperienceHost.exe process information technology won't terminate the Explorer.exe process. Also, unlike Explorer.exe, whether y'all stop or restart the process, StartMenuExperienceHost.exe should always start over again automatically.

In the rare case that the Start menu doesn't beginning automatically (no pun intended), and so you lot tin can force it using these steps:

Utilize the Ctrl + Shift + ESC keyboard shortcut to open the Job Manager experience.
If y'all're using the Task Managing director in compact mode, click the More details button in the bottom-left corner.
Click the File menu, and select the Run new task option.
Type the following command and click the OK button:

%SystemRoot%\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\StartMenuExperienceHost.exe

How to reset Explorer.exe using batch file

Alternatively, you lot can too create a batch file that includes the commands to quickly end and restart the Windows Explorer process automatically using these steps:

Open Beginning.
Search for Notepad and click the pinnacle result to open the app.

Copy and paste the following script to the text file:

              taskkill /f /im explorer.exe start explorer.exe

Click the File menu, and select the Save Equally option.
Type a descriptive proper noun with a .bat file extension.

Quick tip: It's recommended to salve the batch file in the desktop, in example the experience freezes, and you need a quick way to restart the process.
Click the Save push button.

In one case you complete the steps, when you're having issues with the taskbar, Commencement carte, or File Explorer, simply double-click the batch file to reset the Explorer.exe process.

More Windows 10 resources

For more than helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resource:

Windows x on Windows Primal – All you need to know
Windows ten assistance, tips, and tricks
Windows x forums on Windows Central

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