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13 March 2024  John Weaver  Senior Program Developer
 

Summary
Learn why File Explorer keeps crashing on Windows 10 and how to fix it with our solutions. Don't risk losing your data, back up important files regularly.



Table of contents

table iconI. Reasons why Windows 10 Explorer often crashes, freezes or restarts
table iconII. How to solve the problem that Windows 10 Explorer often crashes, freezes or restarts?
table iconIII. Extended information: It is recommended to back up important data on a regular basis
File Explorer keeps crashing

I. Reasons why Windows 10 Explorer often crashes, freezes or restarts

Windows 10 File Explorer is crucial for managing computer disk files and folders. Nonetheless, encountering crashes, freezes, or continuous restarts while performing operations like accessing, creating, editing, copying, pasting, or deleting can significantly impede work productivity. These disruptions often stem from improper system configurations, conflicting software, or virus/malware intrusions. The following are tailored strategies to effectively tackle common File Explorer instability issues.

II. How to solve the problem that Windows 10 Explorer often crashes, freezes or restarts?

1. Change folder and search options

To enhance stability and mitigate File Explorer freezing and crashing on less powerful PCs, adjust folder and search options to enable the “Open folder windows in a separate process” feature.
Step 1: Open File Explorer, click on (File), select (Change folder and search options).
Change folder and search options
Step 2: Navigate to the View tab, choose the Launch folder windows in a separate process option, and then click Apply > OK.
launch folder windows in a separate process

2. Clear file explorer history

To potentially resolve crashes that occur due to the accumulation of files from prolonged use, it may be helpful to clear the File Explorer history. This action can often refresh the system and prevent issues related to an overloaded history cache.
Step 1: Right-click on the Start menu and select (File Explorer).
Right-click on the Start menu and select (File Explorer).
Step 2: Navigate to the General tab, locate the Clear button within the Privacy section, and click it to erase the file explorer history. Confirm by clicking OK.
Clear files in file explorer

3. Check for malware or viruses

Frequent File Explorer crashes may be attributed to malware or virus attacks. It is recommended to utilize the built-in Windows Security Center to conduct a virus scan.
Step 1: Press Windows key + I to open Settings, then select ‘Update & security’.
select update and security in windows settings
Step 2: Select Windows Security Center from the left menu, then choose Open Windows Defender Security Center on the right side.
Open Windows Defender Security Center
Step 3: Select (Virus & Threat Protection), and click the (Quick scan) button.
Virus and Threat Protection
TipsIf File Explorer crashes and restarts while third-party antivirus software is active, try closing or disabling the antivirus to resolve the issue since it may be blocking Explorer access.

4. Run the System File Checker (SFC command)

If your file explorer is crashing, freezing, or restarting, it could be due to corrupted or missing system files. Use the System File Checker (SFC) tool to diagnose and repair these files.
Step 1: Right-click on the Start menu and left-click on Windows PowerShell (Admin).
windows powershell admin
Step 2: Open PowerShell, type sfc /scannow, and hit Enter. This command initiates a scan for system file errors using the SFC tool. If errors are found, Windows will automatically repair and replace the corrupted files, potentially resolving File Explorer crashes.
powershell sfc scannow

5. Perform Windows Update

Updating your Windows operating system may resolve file explorer crashes caused by outdated software.
Step 1: Start your Windows computer, click (Start) > (Settings) > (Update & security).
select update and security in windows settings
Step 2: Click the Check for Updates button in the Windows Update section. If an update is available, Windows will download it. Once downloaded, click Install Now. You may need to restart your computer multiple times during the update installation. Afterwards, check if issues like frequent freezing, crashing, or restarting of the file explorer are resolved.
check for updates
TipsIf your File Explorer crashes, freezes, or restarts unexpectedly, you might need to consider a system reinstallation or performing a computer reset. Although it’s possible to keep your personal files during a reset, it’s crucial to regularly back up your data to protect against loss due to operational mishaps. Cultivate the routine of daily backups to ensure your information remains secure.

III. Extended information: It is recommended to back up important data on a regular basis

If you’re experiencing frequent crashes, freezes, or restarts with File Explorer, making manual file copying for backups challenging, consider using professional backup software like Renee Becca. This tool offers batch backup capabilities, with features that allow for automatic and regular data backups, and can handle a variety of backup objects including systems, hard disks, partitions, and individual files. Here’s a detailed introduction to the software.

1. What is Renee Becca

Renee Becca is a comprehensive tool for data backup and restoration, designed for system and hard disk safeguarding. It enables the backup and restoration of critical computer data, including programs, system settings, emails, photos, videos, documents, and bookmarks. Utilizing advanced incremental/differential backup technology, it optimizes time and disk space usage. The software also provides partition backup, hard disk backup, file backup, disk cloning, and system migration to cater to diverse backup requirements.
Renee Becca - Reliable Data Backup & Restore Software

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Quick Backup files at up to 3,000MB/min.

Fullfill different backup needs Backup for disk, partition and system. Save disk space by backing up incremental /differential data.

Highly compatible Supports various files and storage devices.

Free TrialFree Trial 2000 users have downloaded and enjoy Renee Becca!

2. How to use Renee Becca to backup data?

Step 1: Install and launch Renee Becca on your computer. In the main interface under the Backup section, select File Backup for individual files or Disk/Partition Backup for complete disk or partition backups.
click to back up files in renee becca
Step 2: Select the file you intend to back up from the source device, and choose the destination partition on your hard disk where the backup will be saved. Click Backup to start the backup process.
Tip: To ensure your data is safe, enable automatic backups using Task Scheduler by setting it to initiate daily, weekly, or monthly at your preferred time. Within the Backup Scheme settings, choose a Scheme Type that aligns with your requirements. The software, Renee Becca, offers five distinct options: version chain mode, single version mode, full mode, incremental backup mode and differential backup mode.
how to back up files in renee becca
Step 3: Monitor the progress of all backup tasks in the task bar. Once complete, click the Recovery button to recover files to the selected hard drive as necessary.
recover backup files from renee becca
Step 4: Select the desired destination for the file restoration and click the Recovery button.
files recovery location