Windows Explorer, also known as File Explorer, is a graphical user interface used for accessing folders, files and other data in computer.

If the Windows Explorer keeps crashing, you simply can’t access your files. This, obviously, can be quite annoying at times.

Many windows 10 users have complained of windows explorer crashing frequently.  If you are facing similar problem, this post is for you. Here we have discussed 4 easy to follow solutions that could fix the issue.

You don’t need to try all solutions given in this post. Since it is difficult to predict which solution might work for you, you can start with first solution. If it does not work for you, move to the next solution and so on. 

Solution One- Clear Windows Explorer history

If the Windows Explorer history has not been cleared for long time, it can cause the Windows Explorer to crash frequently.

Clearing Windows Explorer history will prevent the Windows Explorer from loading the previously accessed files data, which can help resolve the problem:

• Press Windows logo and S keys simultaneously  on the keyboard  and type folder options
• Select File Explorer options from the list of the results
• In the File Explorer options window, click General tab
• Navigate to the Privacy section below, and click Clear
• Click Apply and then click OK
• Close all windows

After clearing Windows Explorer history, the problem of Windows explorer crashing should vanish.

If the Windows Explorer continues to crash frequently, move to the next solution.

Solution Two- Update Graphics Driver

If the Windows Explorer keeps on crashing, it could be due to some issue with graphic card driver.

To fix this issue, you are advised to update your graphic card driver.

The procedure to update graphics driver is quite simple with a driver update tool. However, you can also update graphics driver manually. Here we have provided steps to both methods.

Steps to update graphics driver manually

• Press Windows logo + X to open Context Menu
• Select Device Manager from the menu
• In the Device Manager window, go to Display adapter category and expand it
• Right-click on the graphic card item and select Properties from the menu
• In the graphic card properties window, click Driver tab
• In the Driver tab, note down the name of the graphic card, driver provider, and driver version
• Close all windows
• Open Internet browser and go to Driver provider website
• Look for latest driver offered for the graphic card installed on your system
• Download the graphic card driver. Make sure you download the right driver. Pay attention to bit-architecture(32-bit or 64-bit) while downloading  graphics card driver
• Now open Device Manager again and  go to Display adapter category and expand it
• Right-click on the graphic card item and select Uninstall. Make sure there is check mark for option “Check Delete the driver software for this device”
• Wait for the uninstallation to complete.
• Now browse to the location where you have downloaded the latest graphic driver file. Double-click on the setup file and follow on-screen instructions to install the graphics card driver.

(Note- if the downloaded drive is in zip file format. You need to unzip the file and extract the contents to a folder. In the unzipped folder content, look for an executable file and double-click on the file to start installation)

If you find the manual driver update process, you can use a Driver Update Tool as mentioned below. Here are the steps to update graphics drive automatically.

Steps to update graphics drivers automatically

Automatic driver update tools offer many benefits, the most important ones being:

• You can update device drivers automatically
• The software scans and updates all outdated or missing drivers at one go
• The tool picks the right drivers for your device and operating system, so you won’t have to worry about installing an incorrect driver by mistake
• Automatic driver updates are 100% safe

Driver Updater is one of the best driver update tools out there. Outbyte Driver Updater will give you access to a database of over 1 million drivers. It will regularly scan your PC, suggesting new driver versions to install. Driver Updater contains drivers for a variety of Windows devices. With just one click, you can update drivers in your system.

Step 1
Click here to Install and launch the app

Step 2
Scan all devices

Step 3
Install or update drivers automatically

 

Start Download

 

Solution Three – Run Netsh and Winsock reset

• Press Windows logo and type cmd in Cortana search box
• From the list of results, right-click on Command prompt and select Run as administrator
• In the command prompt window, type following commands in the order given below. After typing first command hit Enter on the keyboard.  Wait for the command execution to complete and then type second command in the list and press Enter on the keyboard
• netsh
• winsock

Note – Alternatively, you can also type the entire command netsh winsock reset in a single fix attempt.

• Close command prompt window
• Reboot your PC

Try opening Windows Explorer. If the issue is not resolved, move to next solution

Solution Four – Give yourself (user account) full permission to access the folder content

If you are not using administrator account and your user account does not have full permissions to access the folder content, it could cause the Windows Explorer to crash frequently. Granting full permissions to access the folder content for the username (you are currently logged in) would resolve the issue. Here are the steps to follow.

• Press the following key combination – Windows logo + E to launch Windows Explorer
• Right-click on any folder and select Properties
• In the folder properties window, go to Security tab
• Look for Advanced option below Permissions for System section
• Click Advanced button
• In the next window, look for Owner and click Change
• In the new window that pops up, go to section – Enter the object name to select
• If you already know the username, type the username in the box
• If you don’t know the username, click Advanced
• In the new window that pops up, click Find now
• Select the right username that populates in the search results
• Click OK
• You will be taken back to Advanced Security Settings window. In this window, place a check mark on option- Replace owner on subcontainers and objects.
• Click Apply and then click OK

Now that right username is selected, the next step is to grant full permission to access folder content. Here are the steps to follow.

• Right-click on the folder for which you want full access and click Properties
• Go to General tab and click Advanced
• In the window that pops up, click Add
• In the next window, click Select a Principal
• In the window that pops up, select your username that appears under Enter the object name to select and click OK
• Now set the Type to Allow
• Under Basic Permissions, tick the box for Full Control
• Click OK
• Close all windows

Now try opening windows explorer. If the problem remains unresolved, move to next solution.

Solution Four – Change Windows Explorer options

According to some users, they were able to resolve the Windows Explorer frequently crashing issue by making changes to Windows Explorer option. Here are the steps to follow.

• Press Windows Key + S to launch Cortana search
• Type  folder options in search box
• Select File Explorer Options from the list of results
• In the File Explorer option window, click View tab
• Place a tick in box – Check Launch folder windows in a separate process
• Click Apply and then click OK
• Close all windows

In most cases, the windows Explorer frequently crashing would be resolved by one of the solutions given above.