Windows 10: File Explorer "Not Responding" dozens of times per day on Windows 10

I need to work in a lot of different directories with a lot of file types (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, .pdf, etc.) everyday, and I use File Explorer to locate these files, and generally double click to open them.


Dozens of times per day the File Explorer app freezes, says "Not Responding", and the only way to get out of it is to right click on "Restart" in the Task Manager... but this means that I, too, have to restart what i was doing, drill down to the file i want, and pray that it will open.


I've seen tons of issues similar to this listed on your Support website, but I do NOT see a solution that works. Please advise how to resolve this.


Windows 10, version 1903

HP ENVY hardware

I have about 32GB of free space on my 222GB capacity hard drive

:)

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.

 

Windows 10 : File explorer no responding

We appreciate your time and effort in getting back to us. Sorry for the delay in responding

Are you still facing the issue?

Follow the steps and check if it helps:



Press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC on the keyboard.

• Use the File, Run option in Task Manager to access the Command Prompt, type cmd and press Enter. Run the following command.
  
  dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

I would suggest you to check and install any latest Windows Updates available.

• 
  Go to Start and then Settings.
  
• 
  Click Update and Recovery
  
• 
  Check for updates under Windows Updates.
  

Let us know the status if the issue. We will be glad to assist you.

 

Windows 10 file explorer not responding

following ALL of the above steps did nothing. explorer.exe still broken.

additional steps taken:

1x system refresh, explorer still dead

1x clean boot, explorer still dead

3x sfc /scannow, rebooted in between, explorer still dead

1x restore point, all programs uninstalled, explorer worked for 4 hours, then died.

1x reset, explorer still never opened

1x reverted back to 8.1, explorer woked, autoupdated to 10, explorer died

1x COMPLETE WIPE, reinstalled 8.1, autoupdated to 10, explorer died.

wiping again. reeinstalling 8.1. turning off updates for good.

amazing this CRITICAL issue exists at all.