How to fix windows explorer keeps crashing

Most users use File Explorer as their file manager in the Windows operating system. While using this tool on a computer, sometimes windows explorer keeps crashing.

For example, the application often responds slowly when you use File Explorer to open or copy files. It happens that the File Explorer search bar takes too long to load search results.

If you’re having problems with this tool, you’re probably wondering why Windows Explorer is slow. The user needs to know the reasons why windows explorer keeps crashing in Windows 10 and Windows 11 in order to know how to fix this problem.

A similar case is when File Explorer is not responding in Windows 10/11 and the user needs to know how to fix the situation.

There are quite a few reasons why windows explorer keeps crashing. For example, the following situations that affect the operation of the program are possible:

• Due to the limited resources of a low-power computer with a high load caused by the operation of the software.
• Internal errors in the application.
• Exposure to viruses and malware.
• Problems after installing a new Windows update.
• Hard disk failure.

The instructions in this guide will help you resolve these issues. You will learn how to fix Windows Explorer 10/11 in several ways in situations where Windows Explorer is slow or when windows explorer keeps crashing.

Restart Windows Explorer

Restarting Windows Explorer can often help resolve a slow application issue.

To restart Windows Explorer, follow these steps:

1. Right click on the start menu.
2. In the context menu, among the proposed options, select Task Manager.
3. In the Processes tab, right-click on the File Explorer application.
4. In the menu that opens, click on the “Restart” item.

If the problem persists, close File Explorer using the Task Manager and then re-open it manually.

Do the following:

1. Open Task Manager.
2. Right-click on File Explorer in the Processes tab.
3. Select End task from the context menu.
4. After that, everything on the screen disappears, except for the open Task Manager window.
5. To start Explorer manually, go to the “File” menu, and in the drop-down menu, click “Run a new task”.
6. In the “Create task” window, enter “explorer” or “explorer.exe”, click on the “OK” button.
7. Check if the issue is resolved when Windows 10 File Explorer or Windows lags on your PC

Reducing the number of active programs on the PC

Running too many programs on your computer can affect the speed of File Explorer. In fact, it can slow down your entire PC.

To solve the problem when Windows Explorer hangs, try minimizing the number of programs running at the same time on your device.

Do the following:

1. Launch the Task Manager by pressing the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys.
2. Go to the Processes tab.
3. In the Applications section, right-click on a specific program and select End Task.
4. Repeat this operation for all programs that you want to close.
5. Then scroll down with the mouse wheel to the Background Processes section and close other tasks as shown in the previous steps.

When disabling background processes, you need to understand what exactly you are doing. In order not to make mistakes, be guided by the names of programs running on the computer. If something is not clear, do not touch it.

Disable “Quick access” and clear the history of File Explorer

Quick Access is one of the File Explorer features. After opening the file manager, recently used files and folders will be displayed in the “Quick Access” section. While this feature helps you quickly access your files, it can also slow down File Explorer.

In addition, it is better to disable this feature due to privacy and confidentiality reasons if other people have access to your computer.

To speed up File Explorer in Windows 10 and Windows 11, turn off Quick Access by doing the following:

1. Press the “Win” + “R” keys.
2. In the Run dialog box, paste the command, and then click on the OK button:

rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 0

3. In the “Explorer Options” window that opens, go to the “General” tab.
4. In the “Open File Explorer For:” option, select “This PC” instead of “Quick Access”.
5. In the Privacy section, uncheck the boxes for Show Recently Used Files in Quick Access Toolbar and Show Frequently Used Folders in Quick Access Toolbar.
6. Click on the “Clear” button in the “Clear File Explorer History” section. This action allows you to clear the history of Windows Explorer.
7. Restart your computer to apply these changes.

Adjusting Folder Optimization Options

Sometimes there are problems with folders containing many files and subfolders. In this case, optimizing this folder can help you.

You can optimize the folder to solve the problem of slow File Explorer:

1. Right-click on the problematic folder and select “Properties” from the context menu.
2. Enter the “Settings” tab.
3. In the “Optimize this folder:” section, select “Shared Items”.
4. Check the “Apply this template to all subfolders” box.
5. Click OK for these changes to take effect.

Troubleshooting the Windows Search and Indexing Service

If none of the solutions have worked so far, try troubleshooting the Windows Search and Indexing service to fix the problem.

The Windows Search and Indexing Service helps improve search performance on your PC. However, the File Explorer application and its search bar may become slow if there is a problem with the search and indexing service.

Do the following:

1. Press the “Win” + “I” keys.
2. In the Settings app that opens, navigate to the troubleshooter:

• In the Windows 10 operating system, open “Update and Security”, and then enter the “Troubleshooting” tab. Click on the “Advanced Troubleshooting Tools” link. Click on the “Search and indexing” option, click on the “Run the troubleshooter” button.
• In the Windows 11 operating system, in the “System” tab, click on “Troubleshooting”. Select “Other troubleshooters”. In the “Search and indexing” option, click on the “Launch” button.

3. In the window “What problems were noticed?” check the box next to “Search and indexing is slow”.
4. Click on the “Next” button.
5. In the “Describe the problem” window, add a short description.
6. After that, the system tool will try to automatically solve the problem.

If the tool prompts, do these steps again as an administrator.

Other methods to solve the problem of slow File Explorer

In some cases, the causes of File Explorer crashes require a more serious solution. Follow the links to read detailed articles on the proposed methods.

Due to insufficient computer power, programs freeze on the device. If it is impossible to upgrade the PC hardware, then complex system optimization helps to solve the problems.

Use the built-in System File Checker (SFC) tool, which must be run from a command prompt or Windows PowerShell as an administrator, to repair corrupted system files.

You can check your computer for viruses using a virus scanner.

In some cases, restoring Windows to a previous state will help.

Use safe mode to find the problem. After booting in this mode, you can identify a third-party program that interferes with File Explorer.

You can check your hard drive for errors using the built-in OS tool. The CHKDSK tool finds file system errors and fixes bad sectors on a hard drive.

Checking, repairing and configuring the system, as well as troubleshooting possible hardware problems, can positively affect the speed of File Explorer.

Article Conclusions

It is very uncomfortable for the user to work when Explorer takes a very long time to load on the computer. If Explorer is not responding in Windows, the user is concerned about what to do in this case. You need to understand why File Explorer freezes in Windows 10 or Windows 11. With several methods, you can solve the problem of slow Windows Explorer by changing the settings of the operating system.