If you are facing “Windows Explorer has stopped working” Error while you try to open “Windows Explorer” application in your computer to access files & folders, then you are in right place for the solution. Here, we are discussing on “How to Fix Windows Explorer Keeps Crashing on Windows 10/8.1/8/7” in details and providing easy & recommended steps to do so. Let’s starts the discussion.

What is Windows Explorer Keeps Crashing Problem?

“Windows Explorer” is also known as “File Explorer”. It is essential components of Microsoft Windows Operating System that provides a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for accessing files & folders in your computer. “Windows Explorer” application allows you to access any files & folders located in any location of your computer hard drive. You can use & press “Windows + E” keys together to open “Windows Explorer” or “File Explorer”.

In case if Windows Explorer Keeps Crashing, you will have problems accessing files & folders on your computer. It is common error reported by numerous Windows users on various online platforms including Microsoft official forum site and popular platforms, and asked for the solution. Users explained that this issue is usually occurs in computer due to improper System settings or incompatible third parity software.

Problematic software can cause Windows Explorer to crash. Due to this problem, when you try to open a folder or file, Windows Explorer and Taskbar immediately close down and sometimes reopen after few seconds. However, Microsoft has already rolled out several cumulative updates aimed to fix Windows Explorer Keeps Crashing error.

So, you can fix this issue by installing Windows update. You can check for update in “Settings” App in Windows 10. But many users are still reporting Windows Explorer crashes. Don’t be panics, please read & follow our instructions to fix.

Some common problem related to Windows Explorer Keeps Crashing:

• Windows 10 File Explorer has stopped working
• Windows Explorer won’t open in Windows 10
• File Explorer close while right-clicking a file
• File Explorer hangs frequently
• Windows Explorer is not responding

 [Tips & Tricks] How to Fix Windows Explorer Keeps Crashing on Windows 10/8.1/8/7?

Procedure 1: Reset settings for all folders using Registry Editor

“Bag Keys” store the information about each folder including its display settings. So, you can delete these keys to reset settings for all folders. To do so, follow the steps below

Step 1: Press “Windows + R” keys together from keyboard to open “Run Dialog Box”

Step 2: Type “regedit” in “Run Dialog Box” and hit “OK” button to open “Registry Editor” window

Step 3: Now, navigate to “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell”

Step 4: Expand the “Shell” and delete “BagMRU” and “Bag” keys by right-click on that folder and choose “Delete”

Step 5: Once done, reboot your computer to save the changes and please check if Windows Explorer has stopped working problem is resolved.

Procedure 2: Clear File Explorer History

Step 1: Click on “Start” button and type “File Explorer” in Windows Search

Step 2: Choose “File Explorer Options” from searched result.

Step 3: In the opened “File Explorer Options” window, click on “Clear” under “Privacy” section

Step 4: After that, click on “OK” button and please check if the trouble is resolved.

Procedure 3: Set Open File Explorer to “This PC” and Disable Quick Access

Quick Access enables you to open a folder you frequently visited faster. This option can cause Window Explorer crashes in Windows 10. So, you need to disable it and set open File Explorer to This PC

Step 1: Open “File Explorer Options” window using ‘step 1 to step 2’ of ‘procedure 2’

Step 2: In the opened “File Explorer Options” window, Select “This PC” from dropdown under “Open File Explorer to:” section

Step 3: Uncheck “Show recently used files in Quick Access” and “Show frequently used folders in Quick Access” checkboxes under “Privacy” section

Step 4: Finally, click on “Apply” and “OK” to save the changes. Please check if Windows Explorer stopped working issue is resolved.

Procedure 4: Change the Display Settings

Sometimes, this problem can occur due to improper display settings like size of text, apps and other items is not in range of 100% to 200%. So, you need check for it.

Step 1: Click on “Start” button and type “Display” in Windows Search

Step 2: Select “Change Display Settings” from searched result

Step 3: Now, navigate to “Scale and Layout” section

Step 4: Set the size to be 100% or 200% recommended settings.

Step 5: Once done, please check if the Windows Explorer won’t open in Windows 10 problem is resolved

Procedure 5: Enable the “Launch Folder windows in separate process” option in “File Explorer Options”

To improve the stability of File Explorer or Windows Explorer, you can enable “Launch Folder Windows in Separate process”. To do so, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Using ‘step 1 to step 2’ of ‘procedure 2’ to open “File Explorer Options”

Step 2: In the opened “File Explorer Options” window, click on “View” tab and check the “Launch folder windows in separate process” checkbox under “Advanced Settings” section

Step 3: Finally, click on “Apply” and “Ok” to save the changes

Procedure 6: Check Account Permission

You should check whether you have “Full Permission” over the folder you want to access.

Step 1: Locate the file or folder you want to access

Step 2: Right-click on it and select “Properties”

Step 3: Click on “Security” tab in “Properties” window and select “Advanced” at the bottom

Step 4: Now, click on “Change” link to “Owner”

Step 5: Input Everyone and hit “Ok” button

Step 6: Back to “Security” tab and click on “Edit” to change the permission

Step 7: Choose “Allow” for all permission under “Permissions for System” section

Step 8: Finally, click on “Apply” and “Ok” to save the changes

Procedure 7: Update or reinstall graphics card driver

Outdated graphics card driver can cause several issue in your computer like Windows Explorer won’t open error. So, you need to update it

Step 1: Press “Windows + X” keys together from keyboard and select “Device Manager”

Step 2: In the opened “Device Manager” window, locate “Display Adapters” category in the list and expand it

Step 3: Right-click on your graphics card driver and select “Update Driver Software…”

Step 4: In the next window, select “Search automatically for updated driver software”

Step 5: Follow the rest of instructions to finish the update process. Once done, restart your computer to save the changes

Procedure 8: Update or reinstall graphics card driver [Automatically]

Download software for drivers update

If you don’t have enough time, patience or skills to update the driver manually, then you can update it automatically. You can use “Automatic Driver Update Software” to update display driver with just few clicks. To get this software, click on above link.

Procedure 9: Check for Windows Update

Step 1: Press “Windows + I” keys together from keyboard to open “Settings” App

Step 2: Go to “Update & Security > Windows update”

Step 3: Click on “Check for update” under “Windows update” section

Step 4: This process will automatically install the available Windows update in your computer. Once updated, restart your computer to save the changes

You may also read: How to fix file explorer not responding Windows 10 issue

Conclusion

I am sure this article helped you to “How to fix Windows Explorer Keeps Crashing on Windows 10/8.1/8/7”, “How to fix Windows Explorer has stopped working Error” with several easy methods. You can read & follow our instructions mentioned above to fix. If you have any suggestions or queries regarding this, please write on comment box given below.