- If your File Explorer is freezing in Windows 11, try to restart it in Task Manager, or restart your computer entirely.
- You can also clear the File Explorer cache and perform an SFC scan using the Command Prompt.
- Here are seven ways to fix File Explorer when it’s freezing or crashing.
It’s almost impossible to use Windows 11 productively without making frequent use of File Explorer, so if you find that File Explorer is crashing or not responding, your productivity can quickly come to a screeching halt. Thankfully, there are some relatively simple fixes for problems with a problematic File Explorer.
Restart File Explorer
If File Explorer has recently started to crash or become unresponsive, it could be a temporary glitch that’s easily solved by closing and restarting File Explorer. To do that, you’ll need to open Task Manager.
In older versions of Windows, you could open Task Manager by right-clicking the taskbar, but that no longer works. Instead, press Ctrl+Alt+Del, and then choose Task Manager. In the Task Manager, find Windows Explorer in the list of apps and then click it. In the lower right corner, click Restart.
Restart Windows Explorer in Task Manager.
Dave Johnson/Insider
Restart your computer
In many cases, restarting File Explorer will fix the problem. But if it does not, you might be able to resolve the issue by restarting your entire PC. Do this especially if it has been a long time since you have shut off your computer. Click Start, then the Power icon, and then choose Restart.
Disable or uninstall antimalware software
Every computer should have antivirus or antimalware software running — it’s an essential safety and security precaution. But if you’re using a third party antimalware program, it might be conflicting with File Explorer. To test if this is the issue, uninstall it, restart your computer, and see if the problem persists. If File Explorer works normally, switch to the built-in Windows Defender or try a different third-party antivirus suite.
Clear the File Explorer cache
It’s possible that some data in the File Explorer cache has become corrupted, interfering with the computer’s ability to run File Explorer properly. Here is how to clear the cache:
1. Click Start and then type “Control.” Click Control Panel when it appears in the search results.
2. In the search box, type “file” and then click File Explorer Options in the search results.
3. In the File Explorer Options dialog box, go to the Privacy section and click Clear. Confirm you want to do this by clicking OK.
You can clear File Explorer’s data cache using the Control Panel.
Dave Johnson/Insider
Change File Explorer options
It’s also possible that a specific File Explorer …….
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/file-explorer-freezing-windows-11