Windows 10: File Explorer not opening when choosing from START

I'm curious if others are experiencing the following anomaly:


1) File Explorer is "pinned" to the Start menu (Windows 7 style view, i.e., not full menu)
2) File Explorer is opened from the Start menu (first time) -- File Explorer opens with no trouble or time delay
3) File Explorer is closed
4) File Explorer is opened from the Start menu (second time; attempt can be immediate, with N sec/min/hr time delay and/or even after a system restart) -- FIle Explorer does not open
5) With or without a N sec/min/hr time delay (I've waited 5-10+ minutes), click on the Start menu button -- File Explorer opens immediately (without actually having clicked on File Explorer again)
6) File Explorer pin is removed
7) Repeat steps 1-5 with the same result

This does not happen when opening File Explorer by:


1) Taskbar

2) Search/select

3) Desktop shortcut


When this was first brought to my attention, I Initially thought it was just the 1 computer/user, but then I determined it's all computers in a single company. A few days later, I discovered this happens in another company (single corporate IT Department managing assets in multiple subsidiaries). Making things ever more strange is that my home desktop, laptop and tablet experience the same oddity. I've attempted numerous corrections (i.e., SFC, DISM, system recovery, etc.), on a single system and created a new user profile, only to end up with the same result.


Commonalities include:


a) All are Dell-branded products

b) All are running build 1703 or higher
c) All are using Microsoft Office 365

Differences include:


a) Not all systems built via automation, scripting, etc.

b) Not all systems are new Windows 10 deployments (some are upgrades)

c) Not all systems are managed by group policy

d) Not all systems are running the same flavor of Windows 10 (i.e., OEM Home, OEM Pro, Retail Home and Enterprise)

:)

 

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.

 

File explorer icon from taskbar dissappears while working on it

Hi,

To assist you with your concern, we suggest you pin the File Explorer from the Start Menu by following these steps:

• Click the Start Menu.
• Right-click File Explorer.
• Choose Pin to taskbar.

If you need further assistance, feel free to reply to this post.

 

Feb 2019: File explorer keeps freezing after opening a file

Hi Casey,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



I understand the inconvenience you are facing in accessing the files/folders. I also appreciate your effort in trying to fix the issue.



Provide us additional information to assist you better with this issue:

1. Are you getting any specific error code/error message while trying to open the file?
   
2. Are you aware of any recent changes made on the device?
   
3. Which version of Windows are running on your device?
   

Refer the article Which Windows operating system am I running for the information.



However, I would suggest you to follow the steps mentioned below.



Method 1

Restart Windows Explorer

1. Click on Start, type in “Task Manager”
   
2. Now go to Process tab. Click on Windows Explorer and
   Restart.
   
3. Then check the status of the issue.
   
4. If the issue still persist, try with the method 2.
   

Method 2

I suggest you to try the suggested steps from the article Fix File Explorer
if it won't open or start and check the status of the issue.





Hope it helps. Get back to us for further assistance on this issue. We will be happy to help you.







Muralidhar

Microsoft Community Moderator