Solved: Windows 11 File Explorer Crashing (7 Ways)

Windows 11 File Explorer keeps crashing every time I try to do anything at all

Why does File Explorer crash on Windows 11?

File Explorer is one of the most common tools that can help you access and manage files and other content stored on a computer or mobile device. However, many Windows 11 users complain about File Explorer crashing randomly, maybe you are one of them.

Many reasons lead to Windows 11 File Explorer crashing or Explorer slow on Windows 11, like:

✿Corrupted system files ✿Improper system settings ✿A large number of files in history ✿Accumulated cache ✿conflicted by third-party app ✿virus or malware infected

Frequent Windows 11 Explorer crashes disrupt your workflow and leave you frustrated. Then I will show you how to solve the problem in the next part.

How do you fix File Explorer problems in Windows 11?

This section explores the common reasons why File Explorer keeps crashing on Windows 11 and suggests practical methods to resolve the problem. Frequent crashes can disrupt workflow and stem from issues like corrupt system files, outdated drivers, or incompatible software. To address this, several troubleshooting steps are provided to help fix the crashing and improve system stability.

Method 1. Restart File Explorer from Task Manager🔥

When a process stops responding, restarting it is usually a simple and effective way to get it back to normal. So, if you are experiencing problems with File Explorer in Windows 11 not responding, you can try restarting it in Task Manager. This is done as follows:

Step 1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on the keyboard to enter Task Manager.

Step 2.  Right-click on Windows Explorer and choose Restart.

Wait for a while and see if your File Explorer restarts.

Method 2. Clear File Explorer cache🔥

File Explorer like other programs accumulates cache data to improve its performance. Sometimes, some corrupted File Explorer caches cause hindrance to File Explorer’s smooth running, File Explorer crashes unexpectedly or keeps crashing. Thus, you can clear the File Explorer cache to solve this problem.

Step 1. Open the Start menu, and search for File Explorer options.

Step 2. Under the General tab, click on the Clear tab next to Clear File Explorer history. Don’t forget to click Apply and then click OK to confirm the changes.

Method 3. Run CHKDSK and SFC Scan🔥

Windows Explorer keeps crashing or becoming unresponsive could be a case of corrupted or missing system files. In this case, you can run SFC or CHKDSK to check, repair, or replace corrupted system files.

Step 1. Press Win + Q to type in Command Prompt in the search box.

Step 2. Right-click it in the search result and choose Run as administrator.

Step 3. Type in the below command and press the Enter button.

chkdsk C：/f  /r

Step 4. Press Y to confirm that you want to run a hard disk check when the system starts the next time and press Enter.

Now restart your computer to make Windows perform the hard disk check. After that, check if the Windows 11 Explorer crash loop issue has been fixed. If not, you can turn to System File Check (SFC scan) to check.

Step 1. Do the same above to open Command Prompt.

Step 2. Type in the following command and press Enter to run.  

sfc /scannow

Now you need to wait for the scanning process to finish. Please do not close the command prompt or shut down your computer during the process. It will automatically fix all the detected errors on your PC. After that, restart your PC and check if the issue has been fixed.

Method 4. Disable your antivirus program

Antivirus programs are good ways to protect your PC from viruses or malware software attacks. However, not all antivirus programs are equally reliable. It's possible that your third-party antivirus program is conflicting with File Explorer processes, resulting in abrupt crashes in Windows 11 Explorer on the right click or when opening a folder.

Thus, to check for this possibility, you can temporarily disable your antivirus program by clicking its icon on the taskbar selecting Disable, and then Disable until the next restart.

Method 5. Run the Windows memory diagnostic tool

If you have too many folders open at the same time or are working with a large number of files, it may cause File Explorer keep crashing Windows 10/11. The reasons account for it are: insufficient system resources or low memory. The built-in utility of Windows like the Memory diagnostic tool can examine your RAM for any potential errors.

Step 1. Press Win+R to open the Run dialog box. Type command mdsched in the box and press Enter. Click Restart now and check for problems (recommended) in the Windows Memory Diagnostic window.

Step 2. Wait for the Windows Memory Diagnostic to scan your PC’s RAM for errors. If any issues appear, you can take appropriate methods to solve them.

Method 6. Change File Explorer options

At times, Windows Explorer crashes in Windows 11 due to incorrect settings. You can resolve this by setting File Explorer to open to "This PC" instead of "Quick Access" and clearing its cache to help it function properly.

Step 1. Press WIN + S, search for Control Panel, and open it.

Step 2. In the Control Panel, click File Explorer Options.

Step 3. In the window that appears, go to the General tab.

Step 4. From the drop-down menu next to Open File Explorer to, choose This PC.

Step 5. Click Apply and confirm by clicking on OK.

Method 7. Uninstall an update

If you find Window 11 File Explorer not responding after the system update, like version 22H2 or 23H2 update, you can try to uninstall the recent Windows update to check if the problems can be solved. I will show you how to do it now:

Step 1. Open Settings in the start menu.

Step 2. Scroll down to open Update and Security. And then, click Windows Update > View Update history > Uninstall updates.

Step 3. Double-click on the latest update and choose Yes to uninstall the update.

Supplement: backup important data before errors occur

Fixing the issue of Windows 11 File Explorer crashing can be time-consuming. Worse, without a backup, recovering data after a crash becomes impossible. That's why regularly backing up your files is a smart habit for any user. AOMEI Bakcupper Standard provides reliable backup and restore solutions.

Here is a detailed tutorial to execute the backup task. Please download the AOMEI Backupper and launch it on your computer.

Step 1. Select Backup and then choose File Backup.

Step 2. Click Add File or Add Folder to browse the files or folders you want to back up.

Step 3. Then you need to select a destination path to store the backup image. You can save it on a local disk, network share or NAS, etc.

Step 4. Confirm your settings and select Start Backup.

FAQs About Windows 11 File Explorer Crashing

Q 1: How can I prevent File Explorer from crashing when opening large folders?

A 1: File Explorer can crash when opening large folders due to memory overload. You can minimize this by reducing the number of files in the folder, updating drivers, or increasing your system's memory. Additionally, try clearing your File Explorer history, which may help improve performance.

Q 2: Does clearing the File Explorer history help resolve crashes?

A 2: Yes, clearing the File Explorer history can resolve crashes caused by accumulated data or corrupted cache files. You can clear history by navigating to File Explorer Options and selecting "Clear" under the Privacy section.

Q 3: Can third-party programs cause File Explorer to crash?

A 3: Yes, third-party programs or extensions that integrate with File Explorer may cause it to crash, particularly if they are outdated or incompatible with Windows 11. Uninstalling or updating these programs can help.

Expert Tips to Prevent Future File Explorer Crashes

1. Regularly Update Drivers: Keeping your system drivers updated can prevent compatibility issues that lead to File Explorer crashes.

2. Optimize Your System's Memory: Avoid overloading your system by regularly closing unused programs and managing startup apps.

3. Back Up System Files Regularly: Use tools like AOMEI Backupper to back up critical system files and folders, ensuring you have a restore point if problems arise.

In the end

Windows 11 File Explorer crashing can be really infuriating. However, there are many methods to troubleshoot the issue. What’s more, make a scheduled backup plan via the best backup and restore tool----AOMEI Backupper is recommended because it prevents data loss or leak, therefore protecting your economic and intellectual properties safely.