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How to fix File Explorer?

Harmel Johal 20 Reputation points
2025-11-15T16:07:53.52+00:00

File explorer does not open. Failure to open any file.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage
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Answer accepted by question author

Ivan B 111.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2025-11-15T16:39:29.9066667+00:00

Hi ,

Open the command prompt (admin) and run the commands: sfc /scannow and dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth, wait for the process to finish and restart the computer.

Then perform a clean boot and if you want to uninstall applications that you do not use.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-execute-a-simple-boot-start-in-windows-da2f9573-6eec-00ad-2f8a-a97a1807f3dd

Give feedback if the information was useful or not.

Thanks

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  1. AI answer

    2025-11-15T16:09:05.3833333+00:00

    To troubleshoot issues with File Explorer not opening or failing to open files, you can try the following steps:

    1. Restart Windows Explorer: Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find "Windows Explorer" in the list, right-click it, and select "Restart".
    2. Check for Windows Updates: Ensure that your Windows is up to date. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates.
    3. Run System File Checker: Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command sfc /scannow. This will check for and repair corrupted system files.
    4. Reset File Explorer settings: Open File Explorer, go to the View tab, click on Options, and then select "Reset Folders" under the General tab.
    5. Check for corrupt libraries: If you are experiencing issues with specific libraries, you can delete and restore default libraries. Open Windows Explorer, right-click on Libraries, and select "Restore default libraries".

    If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to consider more advanced troubleshooting, such as checking for malware or performing a system restore.

    References:

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