Windows 10 file explorer not opening? Can't open any folder.

Hi Onlinewithsherkhan

My name is Andre Da Costa; an Independent Consultant, Windows Insider MVP and Windows & Devices for IT MVP. I'm here to help you with your problem.

Option 1:

Press Windows key + X

Click Windows PowerShell (Admin). 



At the command prompt, type the following, hit Enter the restart. 

Type in at the prompt OR Copy and Paste these one at a time : (Hit enter after each)

Get-appxpackage -all *shellexperience* -packagetype bundle |% {add-appxpackage -register -disabledevelopmentmode ($_.installlocation + “\appxmetadata\appxbundlemanifest.xml”)}

Option 2:

Press Windows key + X

Click Task Manager

Select the Processes tab

Scroll down to Windows Explorer then select it

Click Restart

If that does not work:

Option 3:

uninstall your display driver:

Press Windows key + X

Click Device Manager

Expand Display adapters

Right click the current display adapter

Click Uninstall

Exit Device Manager

Restart

Option 4

1. Open Notepad.
2. Copy the following text into Notepad:

@echo off

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe

taskkill /f /im shellexperiencehost.exe

timeout /t 3 /NOBREAK > nul

del %localappdata%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\TempState\* /q

timeout /t 2 /NOBREAK > nul

start explorer

@echo on

3. Click File and Save.
4. Choose a location to save the file. Enter a File name of ClearTileCache.bat and select Save as type of All files (*.*). Click Save.
5. Open File Explorer and navigate to the location that you chose to save the file to. Double-click ClearTileCache.bat to run the file.

Information in the above link is sourced from a trusted Microsoft MVP blog.

Also Right now i am using Explorer ++ which is working fine.

Hi Onlinewithsherkhan,

I'm Stefano an Independent Advisor, here to help you.

I would suggest you to uninstall any third party antivirus and perform a clean boot:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929135...

Then, if the problem is still showing up, you can perform a repair upgrade:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

Once done, perform a disk clean up, if all is working correctly:

1. Open "File Explorer"
2. Click on "This PC"
3. Right click on "C:"
4. Click on "Proprieties"
5. Click on "Clean-up disk"
6. Click on "Clean up system files"
7. Select every option in the list, but not "Download"
8. Click on "OK"

Hi Onlinewithsherkhan

Greetings! I am Vijay, an Independent Advisor. I am here to work with you on this problem.

To start with, please execute following steps and let me know (You might need to do last point)

1. CTRL+SHIFT+ESC to start Task Manager

Locate Windows Explorer in Processes tab > Right Click > End Task

Now at the top File > Run new task > Put explorer.exe and Enter

2. Run Built-in & Guided Walk through Windows Update troubleshooter

Built-in : Windows Key+X > Click Settings > Click Update & security > Click Troubleshoot > Click Windows Update > Click Run the Troubleshooter

Guided Walk though - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10164/...

3. Review below Microsoft help

Fix File Explorer if it won't open or start - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/408737...

4. If nothing works, I would recommend that you perform a Windows 10 repair upgrade. Repair upgrade fixes all Windows errors and retains all files, applications and settings. (You will not lose any data while backup is a good idea) Below is a good guide to perform repair upgrade

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/16397-repai...

Do let me know if you require any further help on this. Will be glad to help you.

Disclaimer - This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Thanks Andre Da Costa,

In option 1 i don't know when the each code stops cause its all written together.

I did the option 2 and it didn't work 😌

The option 4 requires me to open file explorer in step 5 which is not working. That's why i was here.

I will do the option 3 to uninstall my display driver. Hope that works