Explorer.exe server execution failed. Cannot access File Explorer or any files.. SOS!!

Question

Out of nowhere this failure pops up when I started my machine this morning. I'm running Windows 11 on Surface Pro 7. Machine underwent a few updates which I suspect was the cause. Everytime I clicks on the File Explorer on the taskbar, it freezes for a while then pops up an error box saying "Explorer.exe server execution failure" and right underneath is another error box "C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar"

Appreciate any help!!!

I'm trying my best to avoid a total wipe out...😭

Answer 1

Hi BevTsui, welcome to the Microsoft community, my name is Bruno Leonel, I am happy to help you.

I understand that you are having problems with Explorer.exe and I am very sorry for this discomfort.

Below are some steps that may help you to resolve it.

Step 1

Open an elevated command prompt.

To do this, click Start, click All Programs,

Accessories, Right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, enter the password or click Allow.

At the command prompt, type the following command and press ENTER:

sfc /scannow

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

The sfc /scannow command scans all protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with correct Microsoft versions.

Restart the computer and check if the behavior is still displayed, if yes, then perform the steps below;

step 2

To create a new account, follow the steps below:

Click on Start and type CMD in the search box;

Right-click on the Command Prompt option;

Click on Run as Administrator option;

At the Command Prompt type the following lines:

net user test /add (enter) (Choose whatever name you want instead of "test")

net localgroup administrators test /add (enter) (Replace "Test" with the name chosen above)

Sign in with the Test account.

step 3

Restore a previous point or remove an Installed Windows update.

Go to option:

Restore from a System Restore Point

If it doesn't work,

Remove an installed Windows update from the link below.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/rec...

If the answer helped in any way, please mark it as an answer, if your question has not been solved, please post again.

I hope I helped, see you later!

Answer 2

Hi Bruno,

I have already tried all 3 steps. Step 1 reverted back with no corrupted files. Step 2 gave the same error boxes:

Step 3 when I clicked on Update History, the following popped up:

I couldn't do a rollback as I have not set restoration points previously.

Please help 🥺