Windows 10: Problem with right clicking on file explorer in the taskbar

Hello. I am having a weird problem. Sometimes when I right click on the file explorer icon in the taskbar nothing happens when other times I get the usual quick menu. It seems to be about a 75/25 split. I haven't changed anything and it only happens with file explorer. Other icons seem to work fine. I am using an ASUS laptop with Windows 10.

Thanks

:)

 

mouse right click will not open my file explorer in taskbar

Hello Carl,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

We regret the inconvenience caused to you. We will assist you to resolve this issue.

• What happens when you left clicking?
• When you say right click, do you actually mean left click?
• Which all troubleshooting steps have you already tried to resolve this issue?

Left clicking with mouse will open File explorer or any other programs. Whereas right click will give you context menu.

I suggest you to right-click on the File Explorer
on the task bar and select Unpin from Taskbar. Now in the search bar type
File Explorer and right click on it and select Pin it to Taskbar
and check if it helps.

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

Thank you.

 

Taskbar > File Explorer > Right Click > Pinned > Not Opening with any


Registered to say I have the same problem and to give as much detail as possible.

In case anyone has a problem understanding the OP's description of the issue, it's fairly simple:

1. Right-click on File Explorer icon on Taskbar.
2. Left-click any location under 'Pinned' or 'Recent'.
3. The menu closes as it should, but no Explorer window opens at all.

Notes:

• The only option under the File Explorer taskbar icon that works is the option called 'File Explorer', which just brings you to Quick Access.
• Instead of left-clicking on a location under 'Pinned' or 'Recent', you can also right-click and select 'Open'. However, this ALSO does not work.
• All functionality besides opening Explorer windows works, including right-clicking a location and selecting 'Properties'. (Given that the whole point is to open Explorer windows though, this seriously damages the usefulness of it.)
• Unpinning File Explorer from the Taskbar and then repinning it does not help.
• I've even tried unpinning File Explorer from the Taskbar, deleting it from C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Taskbar\, restarting the computer, and pinning a new window. The problem persists.
• ALL other taskbar icons' menus work fine, including ones that did not work properly for me on Windows 8.1 (Skype's menu options wouldn't work for me on 8.1 and they work fine on 10).

 

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.