How to restart the Explorer.exe process in Windows when the desktop is unresponsive

Sometimes, our Windows PC screen seems like it's trying to drive us crazy: the desktop freezes, the taskbar disappears, the windows don't respond... And the worst part is that, after restarting, everything remains the same. In these cases, there's no other option but to restart it. Restart the Explorer.exe process in Windows

This procedure can save time and prevent the loss of important work or files. Best of all, Any user can use this resource, since no advanced knowledge is required. We'll tell you everything here.

What is Explorer.exe and why restart it?

explorer.exe es the process responsible for displaying most of the Windows interface: the desktop, taskbar, Start menu, notification center, and access to File Explorer, among others. When this process crashes, the system may appear frozen, although in reality, only a visual part has stopped working properly.

Restarting the Explorer.exe process in Windows may restore normality without a hard reboot and without closing open documents or programs.

This trick is especially useful if you notice that Some interface elements have disappeared, such as the taskbar or the Start menu is unresponsive, or if you notice that the desktop has stopped responding. It's also effective when the system seems sluggish after installing updates or new software.

Ways to restart Explorer.exe in Windows

We'll explain all the currently valid options for restarting the Explorer.exe process in Windows (valid in both Windows 10 and Windows 11), so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Restart Explorer.exe using Task Manager

This method for restarting the Explorer.exe process in Windows is quick and safe. Just follow these steps:

1. Balance Ctrl + Shift + Esc to immediately open Task Manager. If that doesn't work, use Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select “Task Manager”.
2. Click on More details If the window appears simplified, locate the tab. Processes.
3. Search Windows Explorer (or "Windows Explorer").
4. Select the process and press the button Restart at the bottom right. You can also right-click on "Windows Explorer" and choose "Restart."

In doing so, The taskbar and desktop will disappear briefly and reload after a few secondsIf you were experiencing any minor issues (such as unresponsive icons or a frozen Start menu), this should be resolved.

In case the process is not displayed or you cannot access the restart option, you can end task manually:

1. Right-click on “Windows Explorer” and choose “End Task.”
2. In the Task Manager top menu, click on File > Run new task.
3. Write explorer.exe and press "OK." The desktop and taskbar will reappear.

Restart Explorer.exe from the command line (CMD)

If you can't access Task Manager or prefer to use the command line, this method is for you:

1. Open the start menu, type CMD, right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”
2. To close the Explorer.exe process, type the following command and press Enter: taskkill / f / im explorer.exe
3. The desktop, taskbar, and other graphical elements will disappear. To restore them, type: start explorer.exe.
4. The items will reappear and hopefully the problem will be gone too.

Restart Explorer.exe from PowerShell

PowerShell is another powerful alternative to restart the Explorer.exe process in Windows, especially for users who manage multiple computers or want to run advanced scripts.

1. Right click on the start button and select Windows PowerShell (Administrator).
2. To close the process, use the same command as in CMD: taskkill / f / im explorer.exe
3. After a few seconds, Windows will restart the process automatically (if it doesn't start, repeat the command start explorer.exe).

To close PowerShell, just type exit or close the window like any other application.

Other alternatives and solutions if restarting Explorer.exe does not work

While restarting the Explorer.exe process in Windows is very helpful in troubleshooting issues related to the Windows interface, it's sometimes not the definitive solution. If problems persist or reappear, there are other methods that can help you correct the root of the problem.

Repair system files with SFC/scannow It is an excellent method to automatically detect and repair corrupted files that cause crashes or errors in Explorer.exe:

1. Open CMD or PowerShell as administrator.
2. Write sfc / scannow and hit Enter.
3. The system will perform a scan, which may take a few minutes. Upon completion, it will indicate whether it found errors and fixed them.

Alternatively start Windows in Safe Mode, which helps you diagnose whether an external program or driver is causing Explorer.exe errors. If the error started after an update, driver, or program installation, you can revert Windows to a previous point.

For serious problems, use the Auto repair that Windows offers:

1. From the Settings menu, go to Update & Security > Recovery.
2. Under "Advanced Startup", click Restart now.
3. On the blue options screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.
4. Enter your password and let Windows try to fix issues affecting Explorer.exe.

Learn how to restart the Explorer.exe process in Windows. a practical and quick solution This can solve many problems without having to restart your entire computer, saving you time and avoiding lost work. By learning about other alternatives such as file repair, safe mode, or restore, you can expand your options and become a more effective and prepared user for any Windows failure.