Windows 10 File Explorer Hangs Or Freezes [Solved]

Windows File Explorer helps us to browse easily while managing the files & folders on our computer.

So, if Windows 10 File Explorer hangs or freezes, the problem should be immediately addressed.

In this article, I have given the troubleshooting steps that can help you fix the problem. So, follow it!

What To Do If Windows 10 File Explorer Hangs?

Perform the following steps and find the solution when Windows 10 File Explorer hangs or freezes.

Also know: How To Rotate And Flip A Picture In Windows 10 File Explorer!

1) Restart File Explorer

If Windows 10 File Explorer hangs, try restarting it from The Task Manager.

Here is how you can restart File Explorer:

• Right-click on your Taskbar and select Task Manager from the given options.
• Scroll down to locate Windows Explorer. Right-click on it and select the Restart option as I have shown in the picture below.

Now check if File Explorer is working after a fresh restart, else move on to the next solution.

2) Perform A Clean Boot

When your Windows Explorer freezes, perform a clean boot. Some start-up processes can interfere with your system and cause problems.

So, a clean boot can reduce the software conflict and fix the problem. To do that, follow the steps given below:

• Launch Run utility by pressing Windows + R keys. Copy& paste: msconfig in the Run command box and click on OK.

• From the Services tab, check the box for Hide all Microsoft Services and click on the Disable all button.

• Close this window and right-click on your Windows Taskbar. Choose Task Manager from the options.

• Go to the Startup tab and right-click on the Apps there. Click on the Disable option.

 After you have performed all the above steps, restart your PC and check if this has fixed the issue.

3) Launch Folder Windows In A Separate Process

When File Explorer keeps freezing, tweaking the folder options in the File Explorer can fix the issue.

You just need to perform a few clicks to enable an option and that’s all. So try it:

• Type File Explorer in the Windows Search bar and choose the top option.
• Click on the View tab and then on Options. Choose the Change folder and search options.

• When the Folder Options window opens, click on the View tab and check Launch folder windows in a separate process box.

Now check if your File explorer is working fine now, else move on to the next solutions.

4) Uncheck Quick Access And File Preview Features

After performing the above steps if still your File Explorer is freezing, disable the Quick Access and file Preview features. Follow the steps given below to do so:

• Open File Explorer Options and click on the General tab.
• Next click on the drop-down menu for the Open Browser Explorer option. Set it to This PC.

• Go to the Privacy section and uncheck the boxes for Show recently used files in Quick Access & Show frequently used folders in Quick Access options.

• Click on the Clear button beside the Clear File explorer history option.

Often this cache can be corrupted and responsible for triggering this issue.

• Next click on the View tab. Under the Advanced Settings section, uncheck the box for Show preview handlers in the preview pane option.

• You can disable the preview pane by pressing Alt + P after opening File Explorer.

After making the above changes your File Explorer should work properly now.

5) Tweak Settings To Hide Files, Folders, Or Drives

If Window Explorer freezes after you have performed all the above steps, then try disabling the show hidden files feature and see if it fixes the issue.

Making Windows Explorer show hidden files and folders forces it to load all the extra files and folders, which can lead to freezing.

Here is how you can disable it:

• Open File Explorer options and click on the View tab.
• Check the box for the Don’t show hidden files, folders, or drives option.

• Save the changes by clicking on the Apply button followed by OK. This should solve the problem with File Explorer.

Closing Up

Hope you have found a suitable solution when Windows 10 File Explorer hangs or freezes.

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