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Windows Explorer Has Stopped Working: An Accurate Fix

Windows Explorer is a handy process which allows you to explore multiple screens on your Windows. But, if it stops all of a sudden, you will get some undesired notification that tells you that the Windows Explorer has stopped working. Apart from this, you might also encounter the situation when some programs and applications will not open. For some users, this problem also occurs while they’re wither attempting to download updates utilization update on the PC or installing or uninstalling software applications on your Windows. If you also come across the same issue, then go through this article and fix this problem on your own.

Possible Causes For Windows 10 Internet Explorer Has Stopped Working

Here, in this section, we have mentioned some major causes of this problem. If you don’t determine the problem, you obviously cannot fix this problem smoothly. So, take a glance below to identify the main culprits for this issue.

  1. Incompatible service can be the prime cause of the Windows explorer has stopped working.
  2. Besides, corrupted Windows System files can be responsible for the problem.
  3. Apart from these, driver causes interference can create this kind of issue. Sometimes, incompatible drivers, causing conflict with the Windows. Resulting, “Internet Explorer has stopped working Windows 7” error message appears.
  4. Furthermore, malware or virus can play a vital role. As a result, you stuck with an error message “Windows 10 internet explorer has stopped working.”
  5. Also, due to the outdated display drivers, you may get the error notification.
  6. Last but not the least, the internet connection, if unreachable, can be also responsible for the problem.

Now, you can understand that there is no single cause for which the “Windows explorer has stopped working” error notification occurs. So, you need to fix each and every cause. Now, let’s see how to troubleshoot the problem.

Troubleshoot: Internet Explorer Has Stopped Working

Here, we have provided some effective methods to fix the problem. Just follow these methods and fix it in no time.

Solution 1: Run System File Checker And Check Disk

Due to malware or virus infection, System Files can be damaged or corrupted. So, we highly recommend running the System File Checker to repair those damaged or corrupted files.

HOW TO RUN SYSTEM FILE CHECKER?

To run the System File Checker, press the Windows logo key + X function keys simultaneously and select the Command Prompt (Admin). Then, you need to enter the following in the “cmd” and press the Enter button:

  • Sfc /scannow
  • sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows

Once you are done, wait for a while to complete the process. After this process, simply select the Restart button to reload your device.

HOW TO RUN CHKDSK WITH COMMAND PROMPT?

After running the System File Checker, now it’s turn to run the CHKDSK with Command Prompt. To do so, simply right-tap on the Windows button and then click on the “Command Prompt (Admin).” Then, enter the command “CHKDSK /f /r ” in the CMD window. After this process, simply hit the Enter button and now you will be asked to schedule the scan in the next system reboot, just enter the Y and press the Enter button.

Solution 2: Disable Items In Right Click Context Menu

When you install any program or application, it often adds to its items in the right-click context menu. Those are known as Shell extensions. Basically, right-click context menu is the part of Windows Explorer, so in that case, any corrupted or damaged program with a Shell extension can cause the Windows explorer has stopped working issue and even to crash. So, you can disable those items in the right-click context menu. Now, open the zip file first and then double-tap on shexview.exe. This process will load all the items, then select the Company to sort those items by Company Name. Now, select all the Microsoft programs and hit the Red button which is present on the upper left corner to stop them.

Solution 3: Check Startup Services

A corrupted or faulty startup service can also cause Windows Explorer to stop working and even crash. In that case, you can check the Startup services by disabling them. But, if the problem, still persists, then press the Windows logo key + R simultaneously and enter the command “msconfig .” After this, simply hit the Enter button and go to the Service tab where you need to check the “Hide all Microsoft Services” box. Once you are done, hit the Disable All button and promptly restart your system. After this process, if the Windows Explorer starts working then its one of the services. So, when you start using programs, these programs will automatically be enabled. After selecting the Disable all button, click on Apply as well as the Ok button. Then select Reboot to refresh your PC.

Solution 4: Check Startup Programs

In order to re-back the Windows Explorers performance, you should check the Startup programs. To do so, follow the below instructions:

  • Press Windows key + R simultaneously and enter the command “msconfig ” and hit the Enter button.
  • After that, go to the startup tab and hit the Disable App button.
  • Then, simply tap on Apply button as well as the ok option.
  • Now, select the Restart button to reload your system.

Solution 5: Disable Thumbnail Creation

Corrupted thumbnail creation can be also responsible for the Windows explorer related problem. In that case, it’s necessary to disable the thumbnail creation. To do that, follow the given steps:

  • Press the Windows logo key and E simultaneously.
  • Then, select Organize option which is present on the top left.
  • After that, look for Folder Search Option, once you locate it, just click on it.
  • Next, go to the View tab, where you need to check the “Always show icons, never thumbnails” box.
  • Once you are done, click on Ok.

Solution 6: Run DISM

In some instances, running the DISM can fix this kind of Windows Explorer related problem. So we highly recommend running DISM. To do so, simply press the Windows logo key and X simultaneously then choose the Command Prompt (Admin). After that, enter the given commands in the CMD:

{DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth}
After this, hit the Enter button to run the command. Then wait for a while to finish the process. Generally, it takes 20 minutes. When done, restart your system.

Solution 7: Run Windows Memory Diagnostic

To run the Windows memory diagnostic, you need to enter memory in the search bar and choose the “Windows Memory Diagnostic.” Now, locate “Restart now and check for problems” option. Once you locate it, simply click on it. After ts process, Windows will restart to check for the RAM errors.

Solution 8: Run Windows BSOD Troubleshoot Tool (Only Available After Windows 10 Anniversary Update)

If you still get the same error message, then you can run the Windows BSOD troubleshoot tool. But, it is only available after Windows 10-anniversary update. To do this process, follow the below steps:

  • Primarily, in the Windows search bar, type “Troubleshoot” then choose the troubleshooting button.
  • After that, tap on Hardware & Sound button. Once you are done, locate the  Blue screen under Windows.
  • Once you find it, simply click on it and then, check the “Apply repairs automatically”  box.
  • Now, hit the Next button to complete the process.
  • When done, restart your system.

Solution 9: Update Video Driver

After following the above-mentioned solutions, if you still get stuck with the same problem, then you can try this method as it is the last method. To do this, you need to go to the Start icon and then open the Control Panel. After that, choose the Device Manager and look for the Video card button. Once you locate it, just right-click on the video card and click on the Update driver software button. Once you perform the action, choose Search automatically and follow the on-screen prompts to update the video driver.
After following these methods, you will surely fix the Windows explorer has stopped working problem. Let us know, which solution works for you in the comment section below.