I Cannot Get File Explorer To Open

Hi all. Happy New Year! I have tried everything online I could find to fix file explorer but to no avail. I have Dell Insprion 13 windows 11 with 16 gigs memory.

I have tried going into file explorer options and then did the Sfc /scannow, I turned it reset it in task manager. Its crazy why it wont work.

 

It looks like you've tried all the steps at: Windows 11 File Explorer Not Opening: 7 Ways to Force it (windowsreport.com)

However, does this issue persist in safe mode? Windows 11 Safe Mode From Bios: How to Start it in 8 Steps (windowsreport.com)

Otherwise, you may need to use a different file manager. In terms of other File Explorers there are many at: https://www.majorgeeks.com/mg/sortname/file_managers_41d9.html

I suggest trying one of these, for example:
Free Commander at: https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/freecommander.html
Double Commander at: https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/double_commander.html

 

Yeah this is the strangest thing. I have always been able to get file explorer to open but not now. SO will try some of this stuff.

 

Try stopping the Windows Search service first. Type services.msc into Search and run Services 'As Administrator'. Find the Windows Search entry and stop the service, which you can do by right clicking it.

Try restarting Explorer.

 

Is Windows up to date? There were several File Explorer issues last year but I think they had all been fixed through update patches.

 

I have had the search services on Manuel so it is not even on. My computer is up to date. It does work in safe mode though. So not sure what the heck is going on.

 

Okay I have also found that when I untick the boxes in selective startup and restart I can open it. So somewhere there is a program interferring in my file explorer any ideas how to find this issue?

 

Simple. Switch to the Startup tab and click on the link to open Task Manager. Then, one by one, right click the Enabled items and Disable and after each one try restarting Explorer.

 

I have just done that with no success. I am wondering if I should do a reset of my computer.

 

Not sure what you are saying. Do you mean that stopping each enabled program in turn did not reveal the culprit? or something else? Elaborate please.

 

I am saying I cannot find the culprit!

 

Did you try Diagnostic Startup?

 

It worked in safe mode but not what you said. How do I do that?

 

Windows key + R and typing msconfig gives you your startup options, including Diagnostic Startup

 

I already did the startup tab but found nothing to help file explorer. Okay will try the other, thanks!

 

Here is something interesting. I typed in what you said to do above and no files open up. I tried it twice.

 

I did this and I was able to access file explorer in that mode. Okay so when I went to put it back ti=o selective startup it the screen is just a black screen.

 

Sorry What I was saying is the screen is now black it wont load at all. Weird.

 

I could not get the screen up and I tried through many videos so I had to set to factory setting now it all works great thanks!