Fix Windows Explorer Keeps Crashing

By April Cai in Common Errors Tags: Windows 10

If the Windows Explorer (or called File Explorer) keeps crashing on your computer, you must be annoyed. Don’t panic. Usually this is an easy problem to fix. 

How do I fix Windows Explorer keeps crashing?

Here’re 5 fixes you can try to fix your problem. You may not have to try them all; just work from the first one until you solve your problem.

  1. Clear File explorer history
  2. Update your video driver
  3. Launch folder windows in a separate process
  4. Run netsh and winsock reset  
  5. Give your account full permission to access the folder content

Fix 1: Clear File explorer history

1) Type control in the search box from Start. Then click Control Panel from the result.



2) Enter file in the search box on the top right of the Control Panel window. Then click File Explorer Options from the result.

3) Click Clear to clear File Explorer history. Then click Apply > OK.

4) Press the Windows logo key and E at the same time to open your File Explorer and check to see if it works fine.

Fix 2: Update your video driver

An outdated video driver could also cause your file explorer to crash. So you colud probbaly solve this issue through updating your video card driver.

There are two ways you can get the right drivers for your video card: manually or automatically.

Manual driver update – You can update your video driver manually by going to the manufacturer’s website for your video card, and searching for the most recent correct driver for each. Be sure to choose only drivers that are compatible with your variant of Windows 10.

Automatic driver update – If you don’t have the time, patience or computer skills to update your video driver manually, you can, instead, do it automatically with Driver Easy. Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for your exact video card, and your variant of Windows 10, and it will download and install them correctly:

1) Download and install Driver Easy.

2) Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.

3) Click the Update button next to the flagged video driver to automatically download and install the correct version of that driver (you can do this with the FREE version).

Or click Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system. (This requires the Pro version which comes with full support and a 30-day money back guarantee. You’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All.)

4) Restart your computer.

5) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key  and R (at the same time) to open your File Explorer to see if it works fine.

Fix 3: Launch folder windows in a separate process

1) Type control in the search box from Start. Then click Control Panel from the result.



2) Enter file in the search box on the top right of the Control Panel window. Then click File Explorer Options from the result.



3) Tap on the View pane. Tick on Launch folder windows in a separate process in Advanced settings. Click Apply > OK.

4) Press the Windows logo key and E at the same time to open your File Explorer and check to see if it works fine.

Fix 4: Run netsh and winsock reset


1) Type cmd in the search box from Start. Then right-click Command Prompt to select Run as administrator.

2) Click Yes when prompted by the User Account Control.

3) Type the following command in the Command Prompt window and press Enter to run it.

netsh winsock reset




4) Reboot your Windows 10.
5) Press the Windows logo key and E at the same time to open your File Explorer and check to see if it works fine.

Fix 5: Give your account full permission to access the folder content

1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key  and E at the same time to open the File Explorer.

2) Right-click on any file folder in your File Explorer. Then click Properties.



3) Tap on the Security pane.Then click Advanced.

4) Click Change on the pop-up window. Then enter your account name in the box and then click OK.

NOTE:  If you aren’t sure your account name, follow these:
Click Advanced > Find Now.
Find and click your account from search results.
Then click OK to on the previous window.



5) Now it will automatically back on Advanced Security Settings window.
Tick on Replace owner on subcontainers and objects.
Then click OK.



6) Back on your File Explorer window, this time right-click on the file folder which you want to set full access to your account. And click Properties.
Then click Advanced > Add.



7) Click Select a principal. Then enter your account as the previous steps you set and click OK.



8) Once you had set your principal, set the Type to Allow. Tick on Full Control under Basic permissions. Then click OK.



9) Click OK when it back on each previous window.

10) Press the Windows logo key  and E at the same time to open your File Explorer and check to see if it works fine.

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