How to Reinstall Explorer.exe: A Step-by-Step Guide
Are you facing issues with your Windows Explorer? Is your computer’s performance declining, or are you experiencing crashes and errors? Reinstalling the Explorer.exe file can often resolve these problems. In this article, we will guide you through the process of reinstalling Explorer.exe on your Windows computer. Follow these simple steps to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience.
Step 1: Create a System Restore Point
Before proceeding with the reinstallation process, it is crucial to create a system restore point. This will allow you to revert back to the previous state of your system in case anything goes wrong during the reinstallation process.
1. Press the “Windows” key and type “Create a restore point” in the search bar.
2. Click on the “Create a restore point” option from the search results.
3. In the System Properties window, click on the “Create” button.
4. Enter a description for the restore point and click “Create.”
5. Wait for the restore point to be created.
Step 2: Restart Your Computer in Safe Mode
Restarting your computer in Safe Mode will prevent any third-party applications from interfering with the reinstallation process. Here’s how to do it:
1. Press the “Windows” key and type “msconfig” in the search bar.
2. Click on the “System Configuration” option from the search results.
3. In the System Configuration window, go to the “Boot” tab.
4. Check the “Safe boot” option and select “Minimal.”
5. Click “Apply” and then “OK.”
6. Restart your computer.
Step 3: Locate the Explorer.exe File
Now that your computer is in Safe Mode, it’s time to locate the Explorer.exe file. Here’s how to do it:
1. Press the “Windows” key and type “cmd” in the search bar.
2. Right-click on the “Command Prompt” option and select “Run as administrator.”
3. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
cd /d %systemroot%\system32
“`
4. Once you are in the system32 directory, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
dir explorer.exe
“`
5. This will list all the explorer.exe files in the system32 directory. Take note of the location of the file.
Step 4: Delete the Existing Explorer.exe File
Now that you have located the Explorer.exe file, it’s time to delete it. Here’s how to do it:
1. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
del explorer.exe
“`
2. You will receive a confirmation message. Press “Y” to confirm the deletion.
Step 5: Reinstall the Explorer.exe File
After deleting the existing Explorer.exe file, it’s time to reinstall it. Here’s how to do it:
1. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
copy %systemroot%\system32\explorer.exe %systemroot%\system32\explorer.exe
“`
2. This will copy the default Explorer.exe file from the system32 directory to the same location, effectively reinstalling it.
Step 6: Restart Your Computer
Now that you have reinstalled the Explorer.exe file, it’s time to restart your computer. Here’s how to do it:
1. Press the “Windows” key and type “shutdown” in the search bar.
2. Click on the “Shutdown” option from the search results.
3. Select “Restart” and confirm the action.
Step 7: Verify the Reinstallation
After your computer restarts, verify that the reinstallation was successful by opening Windows Explorer. If everything is working fine, you have successfully reinstalled the Explorer.exe file.
By following these steps, you should be able to reinstall the Explorer.exe file on your Windows computer and resolve any related issues. Remember to create a system restore point before making any changes to your system. If you encounter any problems, you can always revert back to the previous state using the restore point you created.
