Fixes on How to Solve ‘Right Click Crashes File Explorer on Windows

Windows File Explorer Crashes When Right-Clicking a File

This problem can occur at any moment, typically when you attempt to right-click on files, folders, or even the desktop, causing File Explorer to become unresponsive or crash entirely. While this problem might seem like an isolated issue, it’s a fairly common occurrence among Windows users. Fortunately, this issue can be resolved with a few systematic troubleshooting steps. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most effective solutions to fix this problem.

Solutions on Windows File Explorer Crash Fix

Solution 1: Restart Windows Explorer

One of the simplest ways to fix right click crashes File Explorer is by restarting the Windows Explorer process. This refreshes the program and can resolve minor glitches causing the crash.

Steps to Restart Windows Explorer:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Scroll down to find Windows Explorer in the list of processes.
3. Right-click on Windows Explorer and select Restart.
4. Check if the issue persists by trying to right-click again.
5. If File Explorer still crashes, proceed to the next solution.

Tip: Restarting Windows Explorer doesn’t solve the underlying cause but can help temporarily bypass the issue.

Solution 2: Clear File Explorer History

Step 1: On your Windows 11/10 PC, press the Windows key and the X key at the same time to open the Control Panel.

Step 2: In the search bar at the top right, type File Explorer and then click on File Explorer Options.

Step 3: Click on Clear to erase the Explorer history, then press OK to finish.

Solution 3: Disable Third-Party Context Menu Handlers

One of the leading causes of right click crashes File Explorer is third-party context menu handlers. These are added by software applications to extend the functionality of the right-click menu. If one of these handlers becomes corrupted or conflicts with others, it can cause File Explorer to crash.

Steps to Disable Context Menu Handlers:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

2. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

3. Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers.

4. Delete any third-party entries that may have been added by software, especially if you don’t recognize them.

5. Restart your computer and check if the problem persists.

Warning: Editing the Windows registry can cause system instability if done incorrectly. Be sure to back up the registry before making changes.

Solution 4: Disable Third-Party Context Menu Handlers

Step 1: Press both the Windows key and X key at the same time to open the quick-access menu, then choose File Explorer.

Step 2: At the top of the window, click View, then select Options.

Step 3: In the new window, click View. Under Advanced settings, check the box next to Launch folder windows in a separate process, then click OK.

Bonus: Backup Your Files Before File Explorer Crashes 

When Windows Explorer crashes, especially when right-clicking, it can lead to file loss or corruption of files within the Explorer. If this happens and you lose important files, you'll need a reliable backup and recovery tool, like AOMEI Backupper Standard. This easy-to-use software is packed with features to ensure your data stays safe. Whether you're backing up individual files, entire drives, or your full system, AOMEI Backupper offers complete protection for your data. It secures everything—from important documents to system settings.

AOMEI Backupper makes it simple to back up various types of files like documents, photos, music, and even entire folders based on your needs.

1. Open AOMEI Backupper: Launch the program and click on “File Backup” from the main menu.

2. Select Files or Folders: Click on "Add Folder" or "Add File" to choose the specific files or folders you want to back up. You can pick files from different types, such as documents, images, or music.

3. Choose Backup Location: Decide where to store your backup—on a local drive, cloud storage, or network (NAS).

4. Start the Backup: Once everything is set, click “Start Backup” to begin the process.

Note： ✍ Customizing Backups: You can customize your backup by compressing files, splitting them into smaller parts, adding notes, and enabling email alerts to keep you updated. ✍ Automatic Backup: Set your backup to run automatically on a daily, weekly, or monthly schedule. You can also trigger backups when specific events happen, like connecting a USB device. ✍ Backup Organization: With the professional edition, you can select the backup type and automatically delete old backups, helping you save storage space.

Conclusion

Right-click menu not working on Windows can be frustrating, but it’s not an insurmountable problem. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you can restore smooth functionality to your system. Whether you’re restarting Windows Explorer, disabling third-party context menu handlers, or utilizing backup solutions like AOMEI Backupper, you can protect your files and prevent system crashes in the future.