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To restart Windows Explorer in Windows 11, open Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc, right-click Windows Explorer, then choose Restart. If it is not listed, use File > Run new task, enter explorer.exe, and press Enter.
Restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager. Alternatively, right-click Start and select Task Manager.
- Find Windows Explorer in Task Manager. Right-click it and select Restart.
Microsoft documents this as a troubleshooting step for a blank screen with a cursor. It applies to Windows 11 and Windows 10; Microsoft does not specify a Windows 11 build number, and interface details may change with updates. Microsoft’s blank-screen troubleshooting instructions show the process restart.
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If Windows Explorer is not listed
- In Task Manager, select File > Run new task.
- Type
explorer.exe, then press Enter.
This launches Explorer when its entry is absent from Task Manager; it is the fallback Microsoft specifies for this situation. See Microsoft’s instructions.
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This restarts the Windows Explorer process; it does not restart the entire PC. To reboot the computer, use Start > Power > Restart, as described in Microsoft’s PC restart instructions.
#1 Best Overall
- 1.1 GHz (boost up to 2.4GHz) Intel Celeron N5030 Quad-Core
A blank screen with a cursor can be associated with a stalled Windows process or a driver issue, so Explorer is not necessarily the cause. If File Explorer still will not open after restarting the process, Microsoft recommends checking for Windows updates and restarting the device as basic next steps. Follow its File Explorer troubleshooting guidance.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
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Rank #3
- 14" diagonal, 1366x768 resolution, HD BrightView LED, Glossy NON-TOUCH Display
Rank #2
- 256 GB SSD of storage.
- Multitasking is easy with 16GB of RAM
- Equipped with a blazing fast Core i5 2.00 GHz processor.
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