Troubleshooting Explorer.exe Crashes on Windows 10 – Fix Refreshing Issue

The Definitive Guide to Using Windows 10: Tips, Tricks and Fixes from the Experts

Over 1.3 billion devices run Windows 10 worldwide, making it the most used desktop operating system today. But with great power comes great complexity. Even experienced Windows users can sometimes feel overwhelmed by the myriad of features and customization options available.

That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide covering all the key aspects of using Windows 10, drawing on insights and fixes from IT professionals. By the end, you’ll have mastered Windows 10 like a pro.

Optimizing Performance

A sluggish PC can be immensely frustrating. Luckily, there are several tweaks you can make to speed up Windows and solve performance issues:

• Keep Windows updated – Install the latest patches and updates which often include performance enhancements. Use the Settings app to check for updates.

  Why is my Windows 10 startup program not working?

  To narrow down the program I used Windows 10 Startup Apps – Disabled all then enabled one by one I enabled (restart on each change) until the found the culprit – Box Drive. Box Drive may not be the root cause for you but with this process you should be able to narrow down the issue, if its 3rd party software.

  How do I fix File Explorer not working Windows 10?

  1) Right click Start button to open Task Manager, show More Details, then choose Processes tab, scroll down to Windows Processes, then further down almost to the bottom to Windows Explorer. Right click to Restart Explorer, then Restart PC. 2) Try these fixes for when File Explorer isn’t working properly:

• Adjust visual effects – Disable animations and transparency in the Performance Options to reduce graphical overhead.

• Disable thumbnails – Large thumbnail previews can slow down File Explorer, especially with many files. Turn them off in Folder Options.

• Uninstall bloatware – Remove unused manufacturer apps clogging up resources using the Apps & Features settings.

• Check processes – Use Task Manager to view resource usage and end runaway processes hogging CPU or RAM.

• Update drivers – Outdated drivers can cause instability and crashes. Use Device Manager to update graphics, audio and other drivers.

• Clean storage – Delete temp files, clear caches and uninstall unneeded programs to free up space and declutter. Use Disk Cleanup.

Fixing Windows Explorer Crashes

Having Windows Explorer constantly refresh or crash can make your PC unusable. IT professionals recommend trying:

• Restarting Explorer using Task Manager. This resets the process, clearing any glitches.

• Running SFC and DISM – These system file checker commands scan for and replace corrupted files.

  Why do files and folders get corrupted?

  There are countless reasons why files and folders become corrupt, such as malware attacks, improper file relocation, bad sectors on your hard drive, and unending computer crashes. Hold your patience if your system or app files have become corrupted; it’s not impossible to fix them.

  Why does Windows 10 File Explorer keep crashing?

  Step 4: Press on the “Clear” button on the screen. Thumbnails can also be the reason why your Windows 10 File Explorer keeps crashing. This can often happen when any folder is equipped with multiple images. To solve the issue of explorer crashing, it can be done by turning off the thumbnails. Look at the instructions below:

  Why is my Windows 10 Explorer so slow?

  From my experience, the most common causes for slow explorer performance are: cloud drives (dropbox, google drive, etc. paired with a slow connection or high latency) In general I’d reccomend to investigate with the ” Resource Monitor ” just search it in the Windows 10 search box. You must log in to answer this question.

• Creating a new user profile – Profile corruption is a common cause of Explorer crashes. Set up a fresh profile.

• Disabling add-ons – Some extensions like cloud storage can conflict with Explorer, triggering crashes.

• Adjusting permissions – Grant full admin access if Explorer lacks permissions to access folders.

• Updating graphics drivers – Outdated display drivers are known to disrupt Explorer. Install the latest.

• Launching separate process – This loads each Explorer window isolated, preventing crashing from spreading.

Must-Have Tweaks and Customizations

While Windows 10 offers great functionality out of the box, it really shines once customized to your needs and preferences. Here are some useful tricks and tools to try:

• Auto-hide taskbar – Right click the taskbar and toggle ‘Auto-hide’ to maximize space in tablet mode.

• Night light mode – Under Display Settings, this tints the screen amber for easier evening viewing.

• Hidden start menu – Enable the full screen start menu and auto-hide the taskbar for a sleek look.

• Third party tools – Apps like Start10, Fences and DisplayFusion add UI enhancements.

  Does Windows 10 have a slow File Explorer?

  One of these issues is the slowness of the File Explorer. Here are some tips for improving the speed of the File Explorer in Windows 10. If you’re using Windows 10, you must have noticed a performance decline. It is common for old systems that were designed to run previous versions of the operating system.

  How do I fix a corrupt DISM file in Windows 10?

  In the Administrator: Command Prompt window, type the following commands. Press Enter key after each command: Important: When you run this command, DISM uses Windows Update to provide the files that are required to fix corruptions. To close the Administrator: Command prompt window, type Exit, and then press Enter.

  How do I fix a stop error in Windows 10?

  If you contact Microsoft Support about a Stop error, you might be asked for the memory dump file that is generated by the Write Debugging Information option. To view system failure and recovery settings for your local computer, type wmic recoveros at a command prompt, and then press Enter.

  How to fix explorer crashing on Windows 10?

  To solve the issue of explorer crashing, it can be done by turning off the thumbnails. Look at the instructions below: Step 1: Open the “Control panel”. Step 2: Click on “Large icons” in the “View by:” section at the top. Press on the bar with “File Explorer Options.” Step 4: Select on the “Always show icons, never thumbnails” option.

• Pin apps to taskbar – For quick access, right click apps and select ‘Pin to taskbar’.

• Hot Corners – Configure corners or sides of the screen for actions like showing desktop.

• Start menu folders – Organize the Start menu by dragging apps or groups into custom folders.

• Personalization – The Themes, Colors, Lock Screen and Desktop Background settings let you tweak the look.

• Task View – Quickly toggle between open windows and virtual desktops with this handy feature bound to Ctrl + Tab by default.

Power User Tips and Tricks

Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to unlock Windows 10’s full potential with these expert-recommended tips:

• Windows key shortcuts – WinKey + L locks, WinKey + D shows desktop. Learn other shortcuts to save time.

• Snap Assist – Drag a window to a side or corner then continue dragging others to snap/cascade in complex layouts.

• Virtual desktops – Create separate desktops for work, gaming or other uses, accessible with Ctrl + Win + Left/Right arrow.

• Task Manager details – For advanced monitoring, go to Options > Details and enable the full set of resource columns.

  Why is my File Explorer not responding?

  Fixed an issue that might cause File Explorer and other applications to stop responding for several minutes. This issue occurs after a client reconnects to the corporate network and attempts to use mapped drives to access file shares on the corporate network.

  Why is File Explorer not opening?

  However, just like any other program, File Explorer is not devoid of issues. One such instance is when File Explorer refuses to open. Typically, you should be able to fix such issues by restarting your PC. Hence, it’s the first thing you should try. If that doesn’t work, you can employ the following troubleshooting tips to resolve the issue. 1.

• Group Policy Editor – This powerful utility lets you configure registry-based policies and settings. Press WinKey + R and enter ‘gpedit.msc’.

• Win + X menu – This hidden menu contains useful system tools like Device Manager, Command Prompt and Disk Management.

• Windows Subsystem for Linux – Enable the optional feature and get full Linux command line support without dual booting.

Wrap Up

Mastering Windows 10 provides a smoother, more productive and more enjoyable computing experience. No matter your skill level, this guide has actionable tips to boost performance, customize the interface, fix common problems and unlock hidden functionalities. Remember to tune Windows for your usage patterns and preference – a gamer will optimize differently than an accountant, for example. We encourage you to experiment with these tools and settings to make Windows 10 work best for you. Let us know in the comments if you have any other great power user tips not covered here!

References

1. https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/windows-10-explorer-keeps-crashing.html
2. https://www.drivereasy.com/knowledge/solved-windows-10-file-explorer-crash-easy-way/