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5 Ways to Overcome File Explorer Not Responding

File Explorer Not Responding

File Explorer with problems such as Not Responding or Stopped Working is annoying, because it makes us unable to access files that are in Windows. But don’t worry, because there are many ways to solve File Explorer Not Responding quickly and easily.

File Explorer is indeed one of the most important programs, which if there is a problem must be resolved immediately and found a solution. Here we will explain some solutions to overcome File Explorer Not Responding that you can try.

How to Overcome File Explorer Not Responding

1. Restart Explorer.exe

The first way you can try to solve File Explorer Not Responding is to restart Explorer.exe. After restarting, it is hoped that File Explorer will be responsive again, not blank or suddenly closing itself.

How to restart Explorer.exe is very easy, and can be done through the Task Manager feature. Here are the steps:

  1. So, after File Explorer Not Responding, press ALT + CTRL + Del on the keyboard to enter the Task Manager.
  2. Once Task Manager opens, look for a program called File Explorer.exethen right click and select End Task.
  3. If so, now click File then select Run new task.
  4. Now type in the File Explorer.exe keyword field then click OK.
  5. Done, File Explorer will reload normally without any problem.

2. Fix Thumbnails on Image Files

Sometimes, File Explorer is not responsive or suddenly stops itself can be caused by corrupted or corrupt image file thumbnails. This happens when you try to enter a folder containing corrupt image files.

If you experience this, then inevitably have to find out, which image files are damaged or corrupt. The tutorial is as below:

  1. If you’re a Windows 8 and 10 user, go ahead Type Folder Options in the search field. If you have found it, you select File Explorer Options.
  2. If you are a Windows 7 user, open File Explorer then click Organize (which is in the upper left corner) then select Folder and search options.
  3. After the File Explorer Options window opens, click the View tab then check the option Always show icons, never thumbnails.
  4. Next click OK and Windows will change the regulation of image files to only icons and not thumbnails.
  5. Done, now try reopen File Explorer then a folder containing many images. If there are no problems, then the cause of the error is a corrupt image.
  6. Now delete those corrupt images and set the image file to thumbnail as usual.

3. Scan System Files with CMD

The next way to solve File Explorer Not Responding is to scan the file system using Command Prompt or CMD. In case you didn’t know, Windows has a System File Checker feature, which can be run via CMD.

What is the function of this feature? As the name implies, this feature can repair corrupted system files, which can be the cause of File Explorer Not Responding. Here are the steps:

  1. If you are using Windows 8 and 10, then it can be done right away search for CMD in the search bar.
  2. Next right click on CMD then select Run as administrator.
  3. If you are still using Windows 7, you can do this with click Start Menu then All Programs then Accessories then right click on CMD and select Run as administrator.
  4. Once CMD is open, type this command “sfc /scannow” to run System File Checker.
  5. Then you just have to wait until the scanning process is complete, which is up to 100%.
  6. If so, now restart computer you then reopen File Explorer.
  7. Supposedly, File Explorer Not Responding no longer appears.

4. Turn off Customer Experience Improvement

The Customer Experience Improvement feature is used to submit user data to a Microsoft database. Sometimes, this feature makes File Explorer Not Responding so you can’t go in and access files on your computer.

The existence of this feature is not too urgent, so it will be safe and there is no problem if it is turned off. Here’s how to turn off the Customer Experience Improvement feature:

  1. First Go to Local Group Policy Editorthe way is with press Start + R on keyboard, type gpedit.msc then press Enter.
  2. Then click the following options in sequence, namely Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Internet Communication Management > Internet Communication Settings.
  3. Next right click on Turn off Windows Customer Experience Improvement then select Edit and click on the Enabled option.
  4. Final click OK and restart your computer. After the computer restarts, try to open File Explorer. If indeed the problem is caused by the features above, File Explorer should be able to open as usual without any problems.

5. Take advantage of System Restore Points

If you routinely back up computer rules under normal conditions, then you can take advantage of it. By doing a restore point, the computer will return to its best condition, aka without problems like File Explorer Not Responding.

  1. First, Open Start Menu then type System Restore in the search menu, after the results appear, press Enter on the keyboard.
  2. Next select the last restore point that you have made in the past click Next.
  3. Next click Finish then click Yes to start the restoration process.
  4. Done.

Also read: How to Overcome USB Device Not Recognized

Now it’s up to you, which way of dealing with File Explorer Not Responding you want to try. The many options above can be alternatives, so if the first method doesn’t work, then you can try the second method and so on.