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First, identify when and where Explorer restarts
Before changing settings, note when the problem began and what changed just beforehand. A new Windows update, app, driver, shell extension, or hardware change may help narrow the possibilities, but timing alone does not prove what caused the restarts.
- Check which Windows version and build the device is running.
- Note whether the restarts began after an update or software or hardware change.
- Determine whether the PC is managed by an organization or is an Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) host using FSLogix. This matters because one documented Explorer-crash issue is limited to that environment and a particular Windows 11 release.
Microsoft’s general File Explorer troubleshooting guidance covers Windows 10 and Windows 11, but it cannot identify the cause on an individual device without more details.
Install available Windows updates and restart
Microsoft recommends checking for available Windows updates and restarting when File Explorer is unreliable. Follow the update prompts for your device, then see whether Explorer still restarts. If Windows is managed by an organization, follow its update policy or contact the administrator rather than bypassing it.
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Repair Windows components with DISM, then SFC
If the restarts continue, Windows component corruption is one possibility. Microsoft’s repair sequence is to run DISM first and then System File Checker (SFC). DISM can supply files needed to repair damaged Windows components; SFC scans protected system files and replaces corrupted files from a cached copy. Running these tools does not establish that corruption caused Explorer’s problem.
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Run the DISM commands described in Microsoft’s system-file repair instructions. Let each operation finish.
- In the elevated Command Prompt, run
sfc /scannowand wait for the scan to complete. - Restart Windows and check whether Explorer still restarts.
Use a clean boot to check for background software conflicts
A clean boot starts Windows with essential drivers and startup programs. If Explorer works normally in this state, a non-Microsoft service or startup app may be interfering. A clean boot is a diagnostic step, not a permanent configuration.
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- Save your work. Open Microsoft’s clean-boot instructions and follow the steps for your version of Windows.
- Test whether Explorer continues to restart while Windows is in the clean-boot state.
- If the problem stops, re-enable services and startup apps systematically, testing between changes, to identify the conflict. Keep track of what you disable.
- When testing is complete, restore normal startup using Microsoft’s instructions.
Clean boot temporarily reduces functionality. Microsoft cautions that changing advanced startup settings can create problems, particularly on managed networks. Ask your administrator or support team before changing configuration on a work or school device.
Check whether a documented update issue matches your device
Microsoft’s September 8, 2026 notes describe desktop-loading issues and Explorer crashes observed primarily on Azure Virtual Desktop hosts using FSLogix after specified updates. The listed workaround is to launch explorer.exe manually. This report applies to Windows 11 26H1 and the update sequence described in Microsoft’s KB5124012 update notes; it should not be treated as a fix for ordinary PCs or other Windows builds. If your device is an affected managed host, involve the administrator responsible for its updates and FSLogix configuration.
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Use Windows recovery only after less disruptive steps
If Explorer remains unreliable, consider a recovery option that fits your situation. Microsoft advises choosing the least disruptive suitable option and backing up important files first, because some recovery options may cause data loss. Review Microsoft’s recovery options before proceeding. If Windows will not start normally, consult its guidance for the Windows Recovery Environment.
Do not apply an old Windows Explorer hotfix to a current PC
Microsoft has an article about Explorer crashing and restarting after accessing a third-party Control Panel item, but that hotfix applies to Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. It is not a current Windows 10 or Windows 11 recommendation. See the historical hotfix article for its stated scope.
Windows 10 support status
Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Ordinary Windows 10 installations should not be assumed to continue receiving standard free security fixes; consult Microsoft’s Windows support and recovery guidance for applicable recovery information.
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