What happens if you delete explorer.exe?
Deleting the explorer.exe file, which is a critical system file in Windows, can lead to a range of issues that can severely impact the functionality of your computer. Explorer.exe is responsible for the graphical user interface (GUI) of Windows, including the taskbar, start menu, and file explorer. When this file is deleted, it disrupts the normal operation of the operating system, causing a variety of problems.
First and foremost, your computer’s GUI will no longer function properly. Without explorer.exe, you won’t be able to navigate through files and folders, access the start menu, or see the taskbar. This makes it impossible to use the computer for basic tasks, such as opening applications or managing files.
In addition, the absence of explorer.exe can lead to a blue screen of death (BSOD). The BSOD is a common error that occurs when Windows encounters a critical error, and deleting explorer.exe is one of the reasons why this might happen. The error message ” explorer.exe has stopped working” is likely to appear, and you might be prompted to restart your computer.
Another consequence of deleting explorer.exe is that your system’s performance may be significantly impacted. Without the file, the system may struggle to launch applications, resulting in slow response times and lag. Moreover, your computer may become unstable, with frequent crashes and errors.
To resolve the issue, you’ll need to restore the explorer.exe file. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Restart your computer in Safe Mode by pressing F8 during the boot process.
2. Once in Safe Mode, open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
3. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
4. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
5. Look for the “Explorer” key and right-click on it. Choose “New” > “String Value.”
6. Name the new string value “NoExplorer.”
7. Double-click on the “NoExplorer” value and set its data to “1.”
8. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
If this method doesn’t work, you can try restoring the explorer.exe file from a system restore point or by using the Windows installation media to repair your computer.
In conclusion, deleting the explorer.exe file can have severe consequences for your Windows computer. It’s crucial to understand the risks involved before attempting to delete this critical system file. If you find yourself in a situation where explorer.exe is missing, follow the steps outlined above to restore the file and get your computer back up and running.
