File explorer window does not open

Question

My File explorer window does not open. Only the thumbnails. I tried most of the remedies it still still doesn't work (resetting explorer, scannow, etc.)

Answer 1

The thumbnail indicates File Explorer is running but its window is likely off-screen or on another desktop, so activate it and use the window menu to bring it back.

Recover the invisible window

1. Press Alt+Tab until File Explorer is selected.
2. Press Alt+Spacebar to open the active window’s control menu.
3. Select Maximize with the arrow keys, then press Enter.
4. If that does not reveal it:
   • Press Alt+Spacebar again.
   • Select Move, then press Enter.
   • Press an arrow key several times until the window appears.
   • Move the mouse to position it, then click.

Alt+Tab switches between open windows, and Alt+Spacebar opens the active window’s control menu.^1^

Next, press Windows key+Tab. Task View displays all active windows and multiple desktops.^2^

• If Explorer appears on another desktop, select it there.
• If multiple Explorer thumbnails exist, close them from Task View, press Windows key+E, and repeat the maximize procedure. Windows documents Windows key+E as the shortcut for opening File Explorer.^1^

If you recently disconnected a second monitor, temporarily reconnect it and move Explorer back to the primary display using the steps above.

If window recovery does not work

Since restarting Explorer and running sfc /scannow did not help, do not repeat those steps.

1. Go to Start → Settings → Windows Update.
2. Select Check for updates.
3. Install all available updates and restart Windows. Microsoft lists updating Windows as the next supported action when File Explorer will not open.^3^

Then test whether the problem is limited to your Windows profile:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Other users.
2. Add a temporary local user and change its account type to Administrator.
3. Sign out, sign in to that account, and press Windows key+E.
4. If Explorer works normally there, migrate your files and settings to the new profile. A similar Windows 11 case identifies a new account as the practical test for user-profile-specific Explorer corruption.^4^

If Explorer remains invisible in the new account too, back up important files before using Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC. Resetting Windows is Microsoft’s final documented fallback when File Explorer still will not open; choose the option to retain personal files if appropriate, while noting that installed applications may need to be reinstalled.^3^

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References

1. Windows 11
2. Customize the Taskbar in Windows | Microsoft Support
3. Fix File Explorer if it won't open or start | Microsoft Support
4. Windows 11 Taskbar Icons, File Icons, and Explorer Apps Image Preview Missing - Microsoft Q&A

Answer 2

When you can see the thumbnail preview but the window itself never appears, the window is usually open but positioned off the visible screen, which often happens after a second monitor is disconnected. Click the File Explorer icon on the taskbar once to focus the window, then press the Windows key and the Up arrow together to maximise it back onto the screen. If that does not work, hold Shift and right-click the taskbar icon, choose Move, press any arrow key once, then move your mouse and the window will follow it back into view. Once it is visible, close and reopen File Explorer so Windows remembers the corrected position.