To restart File Explorer in Windows 11, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, click Windows Explorer in the Processes list, and click Restart task at the top. Your taskbar, desktop icons, and File Explorer windows disappear for a second and come back. This often fixes a frozen taskbar, a Start menu that won’t open, missing icons, or File Explorer that stops responding.
Here are all the ways to restart it, including what to do if your taskbar disappears completely.
Method 1: Restart Windows Explorer in Task Manager
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, or right-click Start and choose Task Manager.
- If you see the small view, click More details.
- On the Processes page, find Windows Explorer. It’s under Apps if a File Explorer window is open, or under Windows processes if not. Type explorer in the search box at the top to find it quickly.
- Select it and click Restart task at the top, or right-click it and choose Restart.
Method 2: Restart it with a command
- Right-click Start and choose Terminal, or open Command Prompt.
- Run this command:
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe & start explorer.exe
In PowerShell, use Stop-Process -Name explorer -Force. Windows usually restarts Explorer automatically after a moment. If it doesn’t, run Start-Process explorer.
Method 3: Create a one-click restart shortcut
- Right-click the desktop and choose New > Shortcut.
- Paste this as the location:
cmd.exe /c taskkill /f /im explorer.exe & start explorer.exe - Click Next, name it Restart Explorer, and click Finish.
Double-click the shortcut whenever the taskbar or File Explorer acts up.
What to do if the taskbar is gone
If Explorer closed and didn’t come back, you’ll see a blank screen or wallpaper without a taskbar. To bring it back:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click Run new task at the top (or File > Run new task).
- Type explorer.exe and click OK.
Other ways to reset File Explorer
- Sign out and back in: Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and choose Sign out. This restarts Explorer and everything else in your session.
- Restart the PC: The most thorough option if problems keep coming back.
If File Explorer keeps freezing
- Clear File Explorer history: Open File Explorer, click the three-dot menu > Options, and click Clear under Privacy.
- Open File Explorer to This PC: In the same Options window, set Open File Explorer to This PC instead of Home, which can be slow with many recent or cloud files.
- Update Windows: Go to Settings > Windows Update and install available updates. Many Explorer bugs get fixed this way.
- Repair system files: Open Terminal as administrator and run
sfc /scannow, thenDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. - Check shell extensions: Apps that add items to the right-click menu, like some cloud storage or archive tools, can make Explorer crash. Try uninstalling recently added apps.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to restart Windows Explorer?
Yes. It only restarts the Windows interface. Your open apps and unsaved work in other programs aren’t affected, although open File Explorer windows will close.
Why don’t I see Windows Explorer in Task Manager?
If Explorer has crashed, it won’t be listed. Use Run new task and type explorer.exe to start it.
Does restarting Explorer fix the Start menu?
Often, yes. If the Start menu still won’t open, also restart Start (StartMenuExperienceHost) in Task Manager’s Details tab by ending it. Windows starts it again automatically.
Does this work on Windows 10?
Yes. In Windows 10, select Windows Explorer in Task Manager and click the Restart button at the bottom right.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.