Restarting Windows Explorer Without Restarting Your Computer

Posted September 25, 2006 at 11:04 PM

Tags: Work

I trying to access something in Windows Explorer today when it froze up. The computer didn't freeze, just Windows Explorer. So, naturally, I force quit it. Unfortunately, when you force quit Windows Explorer, it basically kills the entire windows interface. No task bar. No quick launch. No Start button. The Windows key becomes useless. It's like you're running Windows without windows.

I was about to restart the computer when my highly intelligent co-worker, Martin Olson, told me that you can restart your Windows Explorer. If you go into the task manager (CTRL+ALT+DELETE > Task Manager), go to the File menu. From there, select Run New and when prompted, enter "explorer". Suddenly, there was my Windows interface up and running again.

Flippin' sweet!

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Reader Comments

deadlykitty
Dec 15, 2006 at 8:14 PM // reply »
1 Comments
1 Points

that saved me !!! totally awesome thank you so much your co worker is amazing


Ben Nadel
Dec 15, 2006 at 10:28 PM // reply »
7,572 Comments
36,838 Points

I will pass that on. Thanks!


Paul Weber
Mar 24, 2007 at 9:08 PM // reply »
1 Comments
1 Points

I love the internet for these problems. I had this exact problem, googled a few words, came across your web log, tried the suggestion and presto things worked again.


Ben Nadel
Mar 25, 2007 at 8:06 PM // reply »
7,572 Comments
36,838 Points

Glad you are happy. I was pretty stoked to find out that this could be done.


Ramesh
Jul 14, 2007 at 5:51 AM // reply »
2 Comments
1 Points

Hi,
But How Can I restart the Windows Explorer without Restarting computer in programmatic way in C#?

thanks.


Ramesh
Jul 14, 2007 at 5:51 AM // reply »
2 Comments
1 Points

Hi,
But How Can I restart the Windows Explorer without Restarting computer in programmatic way in C#?

thanks.


Ben Nadel
Jul 14, 2007 at 8:47 AM // reply »
7,572 Comments
36,838 Points

That I have no idea.


Eli
Apr 13, 2009 at 6:10 PM // reply »
1 Comments
10 Points

Thank You, worked out for me.


Val
Apr 20, 2009 at 12:56 AM // reply »
1 Comments
11 Points

OMG I am so glad I finally decided to google this....my computer has been force quitting explorer on its own for DAYS now and now I know what to do instead of restarting completely! THANK YOU!


Ben Nadel
Apr 20, 2009 at 9:22 PM // reply »
7,572 Comments
36,838 Points

@Val,

Glad you like. When I was shown that, it rocked my world.


Christopher Howick
Apr 24, 2009 at 3:20 AM // reply »
1 Comments
9 Points

Thanks for this, I have been having enormous problems with my explorer interface, like you said, without it is windows without the windows!

Sometimes it just takes the easy fixes...I have been looking and thinking about various complicated fixes!! Once again thanks!


Jessie
May 7, 2009 at 10:13 AM // reply »
1 Comments
12 Points

All that does for me is open up a new My Computer window x.x


Frank
Jul 30, 2009 at 1:34 PM // reply »
1 Comments
10 Points

dude u rule!!!!! thank you so much for saving me a couple hours of bordem


Ben Nadel
Jul 30, 2009 at 1:56 PM // reply »
7,572 Comments
36,838 Points

@Frank,

Ha ha, awesome!


Shawn
Nov 19, 2009 at 4:23 PM // reply »
1 Comments
11 Points

Thanks man, that just saved me a ton of trouble! w00t!


jamesm
Jan 7, 2010 at 11:07 PM // reply »
1 Comments
9 Points

wow this really helped, thanks so much or should i say thanks martin


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