Brithny updated on Sep 15, 2020 to Resource | How-to Articles
One of the commonest problems that annoy Windows users is that File Explorer keeps crashing in Windows 10. If you are troubled by this error, follow the effectiveness-based solutions we provide to fix "File Explorer crashing in Windows 10" in minutes. If there is data loss on your computer, you can use EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to retrieve your lost files with ease.
Quick Navigation for 10 Fixes, Make File Explorer Work Again:
| Workable Solutions | Step-by-step Troubleshooting |
|---|---|
| Fix 1. Delete Registry | Delete Registry keys - "BagMRU" and "Bag" using regedit command...Full steps |
| Fix 2. Clear File Explorer | Clear File History in the Privacy section by clicking Clear..Full steps |
| Fix 3. Disable Quick Access | Disable Quick accesses - "Show recently used files" and "Show frequently used folders"...Full steps |
| Fix 4. Change Display Settings | Change Display Settings, set the size to 100% or 200% in Scale and layout...Full steps |
| Fix 5. Update Graphic Driver | Update graphics card driver in Device Manager...Full steps |
File Explorer, originally known as Windows Explorer, is the built-in file manager application on Windows. It's no doubt that is one of the most frequently used applications on a PC. However, although Microsoft has improved File Explorer continuously, there are still some problems with it, like File Explorer keeps crashing in Windows 10. This is an issue that bothers many users causing varying troubles. If you are troubled by "File Explorer crashing in Windows 10", you may find yourself in one of the following scenarios.
There are some common situations where users report "File Explorer crashing in Windows 10".
For some users, File Explorer seems to crash for no reason. Actually, every error comes with a cause. There are various factors that may trigger the issue "File Explorer keeps crashing", including:
If you can't identify the cause that leads to Windows File Explorer crashing, it doesn't matter, you can follow the tips below in order.
The solutions below are arranged based on the effectiveness of the tip.
The Bag keys store information about each folder including its display settings, You can delete these keys to reset the settings for all folders on your computer, which is helpful to fix the issue "File Explorer keeps crashing in Windows 10".
Step 1. Press "Windows + R" simultaneously and enter regedit. In the prompt asking for permission, click "Yes".
Step 2. Go to:
\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell
Step 3. Expand "Shell" and deleted both "BagMRU" and "Bag" keys by right-clicking the folder and choose "Delete". (It is safe to delete these keys because Windows will automatically rebuild them after a restart.)
Step 4. Restart your computer and check whether File Explorer still crashes.
It's not clear how the File Explorer history makes the application crash. But many users have fixed their File Explorer that keeps crashing simply by clearing its history.
Step 1. Click the "Start" button and enter file explorer.
Step 2. Choose "File Explorer Options" in the result.
Step 3. In the "Privacy" section, click "Clear". The clearing process will be completed in seconds.
Although Quick Access enables you to open a folder you frequently visited faster, it could be the reason why your File Explorer keeps crashing in Windows 10. Try to disable this feature and set File Explorer to open to This PC instead of Quick Acess.
Step 1. Click the "Start" button and enter file explorer.
Step 2. Choose "File Explorer Options" in the result.
Step 3. In the box next to "Open File Explorer to", select "This PC".
Step 4. In the "Privacy" section, uncheck both "Show recently used files in Quick access" and "Show frequently used folders in Quick access."
Step 5. Click "Apply" > "OK".
Have you ever changed the size of the text, apps, and other items on your computer? If you did, that's probably why your File Explorer crashes so often. Make sure the size of text, apps, and other items is 100% or 200%.
Step 1. Click the "Start" button and enter display.
Step 2. Choose "Change display settings" on the list.
Step 3. In the Settings window, navigate to the "Scale and layout" section.
Step 4. Set the size to be "100% (Recommended)" or "200%" if it's available.
Outdated graphics card driver may also be the culprit that results in File Explorer crashing in Windows 10. To exclude this factor, you can update the graphics driver on your computer.
Step 1. Right-click on "This PC" and go to "Manage" > "Device Manager".
Step 2. Expand "Display adapters", right-click on the graphics card driver and choose "Update driver".
By default, all File Explorer windows, including the desktop shell, run in a single process called explorer.exe. If one of the File Explorer windows hangs or crashes, it will cause all File Explorer windows to hang or crash. Thus, to improve the stability of File Explorer, you can enable to launch folder windows in a separate process.
Step 1. Click the "Start" button and enter file explorer.
Step 2. Choose "File Explorer Options" in the result.
Step 3. Switch to the "View" tab and scroll down to check "Launch folder windows in a separate process".
Step 4. Click "Apply" > "OK".
If Windows 10 File Explorer keeps crashing when you access a specific folder, you should check whether you have full permission over this folder.
Step 1. Find and right-click on the file/folder you want to delete, then choose "Properties".
Step 2. Click the "Security" tab and choose "Advanced" at the bottom.
Step 3. Click the link "Change" next to "Owner".
Step 4. In the box, input everyone and click "OK".
Step 5. Go back to the "Security" tab, click "Edit" to change permissions.
Step 6. In the "Permissions for SYSTEM" section, choose "Allow" for all permissions.
The command "netsh Winsock reset" is used to recover the computer from any socket errors that occur when you download some unknown file, or due to some malicious script on the computer. In some cases, running this command will help users solve the problem "Windows File Explorer keeps crashing".
Step 1. Click the "Start" button and type cmd.
Step 2. Right-click "Command Prompt" and choose "Run as administrator".
Step 3. In Command Prompt, enter netsh winsock reset and wait for the Winsock Catalog to be reset.
Step 4. Restart your computer.
Have you installed some antivirus software before File Explorer crashing so consistently? If so, try to disable the software or remove it completely.
"File Explorer keeps crashing in Windows 10" may occur due to the bugs in the Windows operating system. Microsoft keeps improving the OS by rolling out Windows updates. Thus, keep your Windows updated if there is a new update available.
Step 1. Click "Start" and type update.
Step 2. Choose "Check for updates".
Step 3. Windows will show you the new updates available. Click "Install now" to update your Windows.
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I believe one of the fixes above can help you fix the File Explorer on your Windows 10 PC that keeps crashing. If you find yourself have the need of data recovery, don't hesitate to try EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard which is 100% secure, virus-free, and plug-in free.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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A file is saved as 2 parts on the storage device: directory info (which is comprised by file name, time stamp and size info, etc.) and data content.
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It strongly depends on the capacity of your hard drive and the performance of your computer. As reference,most drive recoveries can be completed in around 10 to 12 hours for a 1-TB healthy hard drive in general conditions.
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