Why does file explorer crash when I right click? This is a common issue faced by many Windows users, and it can be quite frustrating when you’re trying to perform a simple task like navigating through your files. In this article, we will explore the possible reasons behind this problem and provide you with some effective solutions to fix it.
The right-click context menu in the file explorer is a powerful feature that allows users to quickly access various operations such as copying, deleting, and renaming files. However, when this feature stops working, it can disrupt your workflow and leave you searching for answers. There are several reasons why your file explorer might crash when you right-click, and we’ll discuss them below.
One of the most common reasons for this issue is a corrupted user profile. When your user profile becomes corrupted, it can cause various problems, including the inability to use the right-click context menu. To fix this, you can try creating a new user profile and migrating your files to it. Here’s how:
1. Click on the Start button and type “Control Panel” in the search box.
2. Open “Control Panel” and click on “User Accounts.”
3. Select “Manage another account” and then click on “Add a new user in PC settings.”
4. Follow the prompts to create a new user account.
5. Once the new account is created, log in to it and move your files to the new profile.
Another possible cause for the crash is a faulty third-party application. Sometimes, certain applications can interfere with the file explorer and cause it to crash when you right-click. To identify and fix this issue, follow these steps:
1. Restart your computer in Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key during the boot process.
2. Log in to your account and open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
3. Go to the “Startup” tab and disable any suspicious applications from starting up with your computer.
4. Restart your computer and check if the issue persists.
If the above solutions don’t work, it’s possible that your file explorer’s settings are corrupted. In this case, you can try resetting the file explorer to its default settings:
1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows + R.
2. Type “control” and press Enter to open the Control Panel.
3. Navigate to “Programs” and then click on “Programs and Features.”
4. Click on “Turn Windows features on or off” on the left pane.
5. Scroll down and expand “File Explorer Options.”
6. Uncheck “Use the File Explorer to open folders and files” and click “OK.”
7. Restart your computer and then re-enable the option by checking it again.
If none of these solutions work, it’s possible that your file explorer is experiencing a more severe issue, such as a corrupted system file. In this case, you can use the System File Checker tool to scan and repair corrupted system files:
1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows + R.
2. Type “cmd” and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
3. Type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
4. Wait for the process to complete and follow any instructions provided by the tool.
By following these steps, you should be able to identify and fix the issue that causes your file explorer to crash when you right-click. If the problem persists, it’s advisable to seek professional help or contact Microsoft support for further assistance.
