How to Restart File Explorer in Windows 11

Whenever you encounter Windows problems, such as the taskbar not responding or file navigation seeming slow. Restarting File Explorer usually solves a lot of problems. In this article, we will explore how to restart File Explorer without restarting your computer.

Method 1: Restart File Explorer Using Task Manager

Windows Task Manager is used to view running processes, end tasks, review computer performance, and more. Since File Explorer is a process that always runs in the background, it is not surprising that you can restart it using Task Manager.

• Right-click on the blank area of the taskbar and select Task Manager from the options.
• In the Processes tab of the Task Manager window, scroll down the list of running processes and find Windows Explorer.
• Right-click Windows Explorer and select Restart.

 

Method 2: Restart File Explorer Using Command Prompt

Command Prompt is a versatile tool that helps you perform various tasks on your computer using specific commands.

• Type command prompt in the Start menu and open it.

 

• Type the following command to stop Explorer.

• Type the following command to restart Explorer.

Method 3: Restart File Explorer Using a Batch File

A batch file is a script file consisting of a set of commands. This can be used if you want to be able to restart File Explorer faster and avoid using Task Manager altogether.

Step 1: Open Notepad and type the following command

Note: each command starts in a new line.

Step 2: Save the Notepad document as a batch file

• Click File in Notepad's menu bar and select Save as.

 

• In the Save as window, select the location where you want to save it and name the file with a .bat extension, e.g. RestartExplorer.bat. Then select All files for the Save as type and click Save.

 

• Double-click the file to automatically run the command to restart File Explorer.

Conclusion

In short, restarting File Explorer is very simple. When you want to restart File Explorer, you can choose one of the three effective methods mentioned in this article to do it in a way that best suits you.