File Explorer Doesn't Open

9 years ago

On Monday, we found that File Explorer now won't open to a directory from either the Task Bar, Start or any other means. When clicked on, we get a 1"x3/4" icon just above the Task Bar that is unreadable and can only be used to close.

We did a System Restore, after a back-up, but there was no change.

We've also tried a few other possible remedies found via Google, though we have not tried any of their recommended downloads. Still no change.

We can still use the Browse function in Word, Excel, etc to find files, but it's not as convenient when we're not browsing in the right program.

We're running Windows 10 on an HP Envy 700-214 desktop.

Any advice? TIA, R3

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Comments (8)

zep516
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Try running the following from a Elevated Command Prompt, one at a time:

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

SFC /scannow

You can copy the lines above 1 at a time and then paste them right into the black Command Prompt window. Hit enter on keyboard.

To get to a command prompt window in windows 10

Right click the start button, and click "Command Prompt (Admin)"
randy427
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks,

I'll give it a try.
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randy427
Original Author
9 years ago
Still no luck. We went with the belief that Windows Powershell (Admin) would function the same as Command Prompt (Admin), which was not an option. Was that correct?

Now a couple subfolders have disappeared, the ones we use the most, of course. I've read that Windows 10 has had problems when installed on a Windows 8.1 computer, as this one was, and you can't revert to 8.1.

Any suggestions?
aputernut
9 years ago
My W10's went from 8.1 and N/P's on either of them.

Can you get to control panel? file explorer options, then change open file explorer to "This PC from the drop down." see if that helps?
zep516
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You have many issues going on there, no file explorer, no command prompt and maybe other issues that we don't know about yet. I would suggest to "reset" windows 10. This will reinstall windows. Some data loss could occur, so back up any really important files. When you reset windows 10 there's an option to "Keep your files" use that option, but as i said some data loss can occur and some applications will need reinstalled.
mikie_gw
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Power Shell is default in newer versions of win10 - they probably hope to get people accustomed to using it as there will be a new version of PowerShell probably in the fall update with some added simplification.

Might want to run the check disk command;

ChkDsk /F

Also in TaskManger you can right click 'Windows Explorer' and reset it there.
randy427
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
SUCCESS!!

As it turned out, Windows Explorer was being 'displayed' on a VGA monitor that was no longer connected to the computer. We had recently switched to the DVI connection to solve another problem and the computer didn't automatically pick up on that fact and kept trying to open on the monitor where it had last been used.

I connected a second monitor and did a 'click and drag' to get Explorer where we wanted it.
zep516
9 years ago
Good to know. I use 2 monitors. If I close Firefox or anything out on monitor 2 and then open on monitor 1 it opens in monitor 2.

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File Explorer Doesn't Open

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