windows explorer

Question

windows explorer

Renate 0

how to install windows explorer that was accidentally deleted

Senthil kumar 315 Reputation points

2026-05-15T15:13:25.2766667+00:00
Hi Renate,

Press Windows key + E windows explorer will open.

otherwise goto run type explorer.exe.

for the above command working or not. please confirm.

Thanks.
Renate 0 Reputation points

2026-05-15T23:21:22.3266667+00:00

I think I didn't make myself clear enough. My start button and search bar on the task bar do not work. If I right click the start button it does give me all sorts of options (system, settings, search, etc.) but none of those work. The only thing that will open from that list is the task manager itself. I can open the File Explorer (yellow file folder) that is shown on the task bar but then I don't know what to do with any of the things it shows. I can open two browsers and those seem to be working correctly. The reason I mentioned Windows Explorer was that this came up in searches trying to fix my problerm.

3 answers

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Senthil kumar 315 Reputation points

2026-05-15T15:13:25.2766667+00:00

Hi Renate,

Press Windows key + E windows explorer will open.

otherwise goto run type explorer.exe.

for the above command working or not. please confirm.

Thanks.
Renate 0 Reputation points

2026-05-15T23:21:22.3266667+00:00

I think I didn't make myself clear enough. My start button and search bar on the task bar do not work. If I right click the start button it does give me all sorts of options (system, settings, search, etc.) but none of those work. The only thing that will open from that list is the task manager itself. I can open the File Explorer (yellow file folder) that is shown on the task bar but then I don't know what to do with any of the things it shows. I can open two browsers and those seem to be working correctly. The reason I mentioned Windows Explorer was that this came up in searches trying to fix my problerm.

Answer 1

Denise Martorelli 0

File Explorer is a core process and most likely is has been terminated not deleted. To restart go to:

Task Manager (right click task bar or CTRL+SHIFT+ESCAPE opens task manager)
Click on "Run New Task", type in explorer.exe and click ok.
Restart PC.

0 comments

Answer 2

File Explorer (Windows Explorer) is a core part of Windows and cannot be truly uninstalled; if it appears deleted or will not open, the system files or configuration are typically damaged. In Windows 10/11, the supported way to restore it is to repair or reset Windows rather than trying to install Explorer separately.

Try these steps in order:

Check for updates and restart

Select Start > Settings > Windows Update.
Select Check for updates, install any available updates, and restart the device.
After restart, try opening File Explorer (Windows key + E or the folder icon on the taskbar).

Restart the device

Even if no updates are shown, restart the PC to ensure pending updates and shell components are fully applied.

Run System File Checker (if Explorer crashes or is missing)

Click Start, type cmd.
In results, right-click cmd.exe and select Run as administrator.
At the command prompt, run:
```
  sfc /scannow
```
Wait for the scan to complete; it will repair missing or corrupted system files related to Windows Explorer/File Explorer.
Restart the PC and test File Explorer again.

If File Explorer still will not open or start

Follow the guidance to Reset your PC while keeping files:
- Go to Settings > System > Recovery.
- Select Reset this PC (or Reset PC).
- Choose Keep my files so personal files remain (apps and some settings will be removed).
- Complete the reset. This reinstalls Windows components, including File Explorer, without a full clean install.

If these steps do not restore File Explorer, a full reset or clean reinstall of Windows may be required to fully rebuild the shell.

References:

Answer 3

DaveM121 877.9K Independent Advisor

It would be very unusual if Windows allowed you to delete Explorer.exe, it is the main shell component in Windows.

Are you actually able to get into Windows?

If you are able to get into Windows, click your Start Button, then just type rstrui and press Enter.

The System Restore utility will open.

Check if you have a system restore point available dated before the problem occurred and apply that system restore.

DaveM121 877.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-05-16T05:48:37.0033333+00:00

Thank you for that information.

Start your PC, just as Windows attempts to load (spinning dots), press and hold Power Button for 5 - 10 seconds to perform a Hard Shut Down

Do this twice

On the third start Windows will boot into the Recovery Environment and from there you can access System Repair, Safe Mode, Command Prompt... etc.

Please try each option one at a time, then see if Windows will boot to a stable system.

1

If there is an option to uninstall the latest update, that may be the best option.

2

Go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - Startup Repair

See if Windows startup can repair itself

3

Go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - System Restore

Check to see if you have a restore point you can go back to

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