Restart the Explorer.exe Process Correctly in Windows

Give it a chance to end safely and completely

You may think that you need to restart your computer in order for registry changes to take place. Not necessarily. Restarting theexplorer.exeprocess performs the same function. Explorer.exe is the program component in Windows that provides the Windows Shell. The Windows Shell or Explorer creates and presents the entire Windows user interface, such as the Taskbar, the desktop, Windows Explorer, the notification area (system tray),Startmenu, dialog boxes, and interface controls.

You may have heard about terminating theexplorer.exeprocess using theTask Manager. Using theTask Managermay be effective, but it is forcibly killing the process instead of terminating it properly, giving the process the change to exit safely and completely. In Windows 10, you use the task manager to end the process. There is a hidden option in theStartmenu in Windows 7 and Vista and an extra function in theShutdownmenu of Windows XP that allows you to terminate and restart theexplorer.exeprocess correctly.

Windows 10

In Windows 10, you first have to open the Task Manager by pressingCTRL + SHIFT + ESCon your keyboard or by typing in task manager after clicking on Start.

Up at the top where it says Apps, find Windows Explorer and right-click on it. One of the options will beRestart. In Windows 10, the process is killed and then automatically restarted. You don’t have to go toFile – Run New Taskto start it up again like you do in Windows 7 and earlier.

Windows 7 and Vista

To correctly shutdown theexplorer.exeprocess in Windows 7 and Windows Vista, open theStartmenu. Hold down theCtrlandShiftkeys and right-click on any empty space on theStartmenu. A short, popup menu displays with two options. Select theExit Exploreroption.

The Taskbar goes away and the desktop icons seem to disappear. To access theTask Managerto restart theexplorer.exeprocess, pressCtrl + Alt + Delete. A screen displays with five options. SelectStart Task Manager.

In theTask Manager, selectNew Task (Run…)from theFilemenu.

TheCreate New Taskdialog box displays. Type “explorer.exe” (without the quotes) in theOpenedit box and clickOK. The Taskbar, desktop, and other components of Windows are restored.

To close theTask Manager, selectExit Task Managerfrom theFilemenu.

Windows XP

To correctly shutdown theexplorer.exeprocess in Windows 7 and Windows Vista, open theStartmenu and click theTurn Off Computerbutton at the bottom of the menu.

The desktop turns shades of gray in the background and theTurn off computerdialog box displays with three options and aCancelbutton. Press and holdCtrl + Alt + Shiftand click theCancelbutton.

Just like in Windows 7, the Taskbar goes away and the desktop icons seem to disappear. To access theTask Managerto restart theexplorer.exeprocess, pressCtrl + Alt + Delete. In theTask Manager, selectNew Task (Run…)from theFilemenu.

TheCreate New Taskdialog box displays. Type “explorer.exe” (without the quotes) in theOpenedit box and clickOK. The Taskbar, desktop, and other components of Windows are restored.

To close theTask Manager, selectExit Task Managerfrom theFilemenu.

Exiting the Explorer process cleanly allows you to shutdown Explorer without risking locking up your Windows session if you forcibly kill theexplorer.exeprocess using theTask Manageror thetaskkillcommand. Enjoy!

Founder of Help Desk Geek and managing editor. He began blogging in 2007 and quit his job in 2010 to blog full-time. He has over 15 years of industry experience in IT and holds several technical certifications.Read Aseem’s Full Bio

Welcome to Help Desk Geek- a blog full of tech tips from trusted tech experts. We have thousands of articles and guides to help you troubleshoot any issue. Our articles have been read over 150 million times since we launched in 2008.

HomeAbout UsEditorial StandardsContact UsTerms of Use

Copyright © 2008-2024 Help Desk Geek.com, LLC All Rights Reserved