In this article, we are going to discuss on How to fix ‘File Explorer is not highlighting the selected items files/folders’ issue on Windows 10/11. You are provided here with easy steps/methods to resolve the issue. Let’s starts the discussion.
What is File Explorer in Windows 10/11?
File Explorer (Previously known as Windows Explorer) is a file manager application which is pre-installed application on Microsoft Windows OS based devices. This application is included in Windows 95 and later Windows versions including on Windows 10 and Windows 11 OS. File Explorer is provides GUI (Graphical User Interface) for accessing file systems.
Windows Explorer or File Explorer is term mostly used to describe the file management aspect of operating system, the Explorer process also houses the operating system’s search functionality and File Type associations, and is responsible for displaying desktop icons, the start menu, taskbar, and control panel.
File Explorer is generally progressed from being a simple file system navigation tool into a task-based file management system. A ‘Dark Mode’ has been added to File Explorer in Windows 10 and the Universal File Explorer also includes new features. In Windows 11, File Explorer had undergone significant UI changes with Ribbon interface simplified into a command bar.
What is ‘File Explorer not highlighting selected files’ issue?
It is common Windows Problem considered as File Explorer application problem. Several Windows 10/11 users reported about this issue and explained when they select an item or file/folder in File Explorer application on their Windows 10/11 computer, they experience the selected items are not highlighted in File Explorer. This issue indicates you are unable to see which item or file/folder is selected because it is not highlighted in File Explorer application even when you have already attempted to select it.
The possible reasons behind the issue can be the corrupted cache of File Explorer/Windows Explorer app itself, interference of background processes, issue with display or color settings in computer, corruption in system files or registry or in system image, malware or viruses infections in computer, outdated/corrupted graphics card driver, and other issues in computer. If you are facing the same and looking for ways to fix, then you are in right-place for the solution. Let’s go for the solution.
How to fix File Explorer not highlighting selected files in Windows 10/11?
Method 1: Run SFC Scan and DISM Scan
You can run SFC scan and DISM scan in computer to repair corruption in system files or registry and in system image to fix this issue.
Step 1: Press ‘Windows + R’ keys on keyboard, type ‘cmd’ in ‘Run’ window and press ‘CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER’ keys on keyboard to open ‘Command Prompt as Administrator’
Step 2: Type the following commands and hit ‘Enter’ key after each to execute.
sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Step 3: Once executed, restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.
Method 2: Restart File Explorer
One possible way to fix the issue is to restart File Explorer in computer to fix temporary issue in File Explorer app.
Step 1: Press ‘CTRL + SHIFT + ESC’ keys on keyboard to open ‘Task Manager’ app
Step 2: Under ‘Processes’ tab, find and right-click ‘Windows Explorer’, and select ‘Restart’ to restart it
Step 3: Open File Explorer and attempt to select multiple files and check if it works.
Method 3: Perform System Shutdown
Another way to fix the issue is to perform system shutdown
Step 1: Press ‘Windows + R’ keys on keyboard, type ‘cmd’ in ‘Run’ window and press ‘CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER’ keys on keyboard to open ‘Command Prompt as Administrator’
Step 2: Type ‘shutdown /s /f /t 0’ command and hit ‘Enter’ key to execute. This will perform a complete system shutdown and may take longer than usual.
Step 3: After restarting your computer, launch File Explorer app again and retry selecting multiple files and check if the issue is resolved.
Method 4: Turn OFF Fast Startup option
Another way to fix the issue is to disable Fast Startup option in Control Panel in computer.
Step 1: Open ‘Control Panel’ app in Windows PC and search or go to ‘Power Options’
Step 2: In left-pane, click ‘Choose what the power buttons do’ and choose ‘Change settings that are currently unavailable’
Step 3: Uncheck ‘Turn ON fast startup’ checkbox, and click ‘Save Changes’ and once done, check if the issue is resolved.
Method 5: Change background color
Step 1: Right-click on open area on desktop and select ‘Personalisation’ from context menu to open ‘Personalization’ settings page
Step 2: Select ‘Background’ option and Expand the list and choose ‘Solid Color’ option
Step 3: Select a solid color from color picker titles and apply the solid color background to system and exit the settings app
Step 4: Now, re-launch File Explorer and check if the issue is resolved.
Method 6: Enable High Contrast Mode
You can enable high contrast mode in settings in computer to fix the issue.
Step 1: Press ‘Left Alt + Left SHIFT + Print Screen’ keys simultaneously to activate ‘High Contrast Mode’
Step 2: Confirm your selection with popup window, and press ‘Enter’ to activate the High Contrast Theme on computer
Step 3: Attempt to select multiple files on computer and check if issue is resolved.
Method 7: Update graphics card driver
Updating graphics card driver to latest & compatible version can resolve the issue.
Step 1: Open ‘Device Manager’ app in Windows PC via Windows Search Box and expand ‘Display Adapters’ category
Step 2: Find and right-click on your graphics card driver, and select ‘Properties’. Click ‘Driver’ tab and click ‘Update Driver’, and follow on-screen instructions to finish update process.
Step 3: Once update finished, restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.
Download or reinstall graphics card driver update in Windows PC [Automatically]:
You can also try to update all Windows drivers including graphics card driver update in computer using Automatic Driver Update Tool. You can get this tool through button/link below.
⇓ Get Automatic Driver Update Tool
Method 8: Uninstall recent Windows update or problematic Windows update
You can uninstall the problematic Windows update or recent Windows update in computer to fix the issue.
Step 1: Open ‘Settings’ app in Windows PC via Windows Search Box and go to ‘Update & Security > Windows Update > View History > Uninstall Updates’
Step 2: Find and right-click on problematic Windows Update or recent Windows update, and select ‘Uninstall’ to uninstall it.
Step 3: After that, restart your computer and then restart File Explorer and retry selecting the files, and check if the issue is resolved.
Method 9: Run Clean Boot
You can perform clean boot operation in computer to fix the issue.
Step 1: Open ‘System Configuration’ app in Windows PC via Windows Search Box
Step 2: Click ‘Services’ tab, tick ‘Hide all Microsoft Services’ checkbox, and hit ‘Disable All’ button
Step 3: Click ‘Startup’ tab, and click ‘Open Task Manager’, right-click on third-party program in Task Manager, and select ‘Disable’ to disable it, and then close ‘Task Manager’ app
Step 4: Finally, click ‘Apply > Ok’ button to save the changes and then restart your computer, and check if the issue is resolved.
Method 10: Reset Windows 10
If the issue is still persist, you can perform resetting Windows 10 in order to resolve the issue the issue.
Step 1: Open ‘Settings’ app in Windows PC via Windows Search Box and go to ‘Update & Security > Recovery > Reset This PC’ and click ‘Get Started’ button
Step 2: Follow on-screen instructions to finish resetting process. Once done, check if the issue is resolved.
Fix ‘File Explorer not highlighting selected files’ issue in Windows PC [Automatically]:
‘PC Repair Tool’ is quick & easy ways to find and fix File Explorer is not highlighting selected files issue in Windows PC. You can also use this tool to find and fix BSOD errors, DLL errors, EXE errors, problems with programs/applications, malware or viruses infections in computer, system files or registry issues, and other system issues with just few clicks.
Conclusion
I am sure this post helped you on How to fix File Explorer is not highlighting selected items/files issue. You can read & follow our instructions to do so. That’s all. For any suggestions or queries, please write on comment box below.
