How do I reinstall file explorer?

Question

How do I reinstall file explorer?

alex cowling 40

I have accidentally deleted File explorer and cannot find a way to reinstall it.

Ayomide Oluwaga 931 Reputation points

2023-04-22T13:25:38.7366667+00:00
Hello Alex, If you have accidentally deleted File Explorer on Windows, don't worry. Here are the steps to reinstall it:

Open the Run dialog box by pressing the "Windows + R" keys on your keyboard.

Type "powershell" into the Run dialog box and press "Enter". This will open PowerShell.

Type the following command into the PowerShell window and press "Enter":

Get-AppxPackage *windowsfile*

Look for the "PackageFullName" line in the output. It should be similar to "Microsoft.Windows.FileExplorer", followed by a version number.

Type the following command into the PowerShell window and press "Enter", using the PackageFullName value from the previous step:

Add-AppxPackage -register "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\PackageFullName\appxmanifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode

Make sure to replace "PackageFullName" with the actual value you obtained in step 4.

Wait for the command to complete. This may take a few minutes. After the command completes, File Explorer should be reinstalled on your computer.
YT Perk 5 Reputation points

2025-01-05T04:29:39.2133333+00:00

what about when it does not pop up in the powershell program
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Allyn Dimock 30 Reputation points

2025-03-18T17:02:48.2533333+00:00

Get-AppxPackage windowsfile

returs me to the command line with no output so it is impossible continue.
lil T Jr 10 Reputation points

2025-05-12T22:30:54.32+00:00

it does the same thing nothing happend
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jhin_ games 0 Reputation points

2026-01-11T07:51:09.5+00:00

I did try it, but what happens if it says the file does not exist? what am I supposed to do now?

1 answer

Your answer

Ayomide Oluwaga 931 Reputation points

2023-04-22T13:25:38.7366667+00:00

Hello Alex, If you have accidentally deleted File Explorer on Windows, don't worry. Here are the steps to reinstall it:

Open the Run dialog box by pressing the "Windows + R" keys on your keyboard.

Type "powershell" into the Run dialog box and press "Enter". This will open PowerShell.

Type the following command into the PowerShell window and press "Enter":

Get-AppxPackage *windowsfile*

Look for the "PackageFullName" line in the output. It should be similar to "Microsoft.Windows.FileExplorer", followed by a version number.

Type the following command into the PowerShell window and press "Enter", using the PackageFullName value from the previous step:

Add-AppxPackage -register "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\PackageFullName\appxmanifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode

Make sure to replace "PackageFullName" with the actual value you obtained in step 4.

Wait for the command to complete. This may take a few minutes. After the command completes, File Explorer should be reinstalled on your computer.
YT Perk 5 Reputation points

2025-01-05T04:29:39.2133333+00:00

what about when it does not pop up in the powershell program
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Allyn Dimock 30 Reputation points

2025-03-18T17:02:48.2533333+00:00

Get-AppxPackage windowsfile

returs me to the command line with no output so it is impossible continue.
lil T Jr 10 Reputation points

2025-05-12T22:30:54.32+00:00

it does the same thing nothing happend
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
jhin_ games 0 Reputation points

2026-01-11T07:51:09.5+00:00

I did try it, but what happens if it says the file does not exist? what am I supposed to do now?

Answer 1

Hello Alex,

Thank you for posting question on Microsoft Windows Forum.

Based on your query of accidentally deleting File explorer and being unable to find a way to reinstall it. Well! It is indeed impossible to "uninstall" File Explorer because it is a core part of the Windows operating system.

If File Explorer is "gone," you have probably either closed the system process (causing your taskbar/desktop to disappear) or probably deleted the shortcut icon.

The following are some suggestions to retrieve the File explorer.

If your taskbar, desktop icons, and wallpaper have disappeared, the explorer.exe process has crashed or stopped. You might need to restart it. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open the Task Manager. If the window looks small, click More details at the bottom. Click File in the top-left corner and select Run new task. Type explorer.exe in the box. Check the box for Create this task with administrative privileges. Click OK.
If you click File Explorer and it opens but immediately closes or gives an error, your system files might be corrupted. The suggestion is to run the System File Checker by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Click File > Run new task. Type cmd and check the box Create this task with administrative privileges. In the black window that appears, run the this command sfc /scannow .Wait for the scan to finish (it may take 10-15 minutes). Windows will attempt to find and repair any missing system files automatically.
Try to create a Desktop Shortcut. Right-click on an empty space on your desktop. Select New > Shortcut. In the location box, type exactly: C:\Windows\explorer.exe Click Next, name it "File Explorer," and click Finish.

Hope the above information is helpful! If it is. Free feel to hit "Accepted" for benefitting others in community having the same issue too.

Chen Tran 12,760 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-01-19T06:16:33.4766667+00:00

Hi Alex,

Hope you are doing well!

May I know the latest status of the issue?

Hope the provided information is helpful! If it is. Free feel to hit "Accepted" for benefitting others in community having the same issue too.
Michael T 5 Reputation points

2026-03-17T19:34:35.89+00:00

It worked for me, thanks