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Vista Tutorial - Restart Explorer

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Restart Explorer
How to Restart Explorer in Vista
Published by Brink
07-15-2007

How to Restart Explorer in Vista
Information
  The executable module in Vista that contains the Start Menu, Taskbar, desktop and file manager user interfaces. EXPLORER.EXE is a Windows process that runs automatically at startup and remains an active process. If you have a Explorer error, or you made a change to the system that requires a computer restart to apply, and you do not want to wait for the whole computer to restart to do it, then this gives you a quick restart without restarting the whole system.
NOTE
  If you are using Windows Dreamscene or Stardock DeskScapes, then you will get a Dreamscene failure error and the desktop background will go blank when Explorer.exe is restarted. To fix this, simply select any normal wallpaper, then select a Windows Dreamscene or Stardock Deskscapes Dream. For how, see: Desktop Background Wallpaper , DreamScene , or DreamScene Enhanced by DeskScapes
Tip
  Doing a logoff and logon acts as a quick restart to.
WARNING
  Do not use these methods for a required restart after a program or Windows Update installation. A full computer restart is usually necessary for this.
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METHOD ONE:
Through the Start Menu
1. To Close Explorer.exe -
A) Open the Start Menu.

B) Press and hold Ctrl+Shift and right click on a empty area of the Start menu. (See screenshot below)

C) Releas Ctrl+Shift and click on Exit Explorer.
start_menu.jpg
2. To Restart Explorer.exer -
A) Do steps 1 and 3 in Method Two below.




METHOD TWO:
Through Task Manager
1. Open Task Manager.
NOTE: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc, or right click on the taskbar and click Task Manager.

2. To Close Explorer.exe -
A) Click on the Processes tab. (See screenshot below)

B) Click on explorer.exe and click on the End Process button.
task_manager.jpg
C) Click on End Process in the confirmation prompt. (See screenshot below)
Name:  Confirm.jpg
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D) You will now notice that Explorer has stopped.
NOTE: The taskbar, deskop icons, and any open Windows Explorer windows are now gone.
3. To Restart Explorer.exe -
A) Click on File in Task Manager. (See screenshot for step 3 above)

B) Click on New Task (Run...).

C) Type explorer.exe and click OK. (See screenshot below)
open.jpg
D) You will notice Explorer restarting.
NOTE: The taskbar and desktop icons will be back.
4. Close Task Manager.
That's it,
Shawn
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Applies to
All Vista Versions
64 Bit & 32 Bit

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Old 07-08-2008  
sagarun
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Re: Restart Explorer

we can gracefully restart the explorer.exe by holding ctrl+shift and rightclick on an empty area on the startmenu and clicking exit explorer!!
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Old 07-08-2008  
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Re: Restart Explorer

Hello Sagarun, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Thank you for sharing. The tutorial has been updated to include this.

Shawn
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Old 04-04-2009  
sonia
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Re: Restart Explorer

This works perfectly, and reinstated my Netword and Volume by allowing me to select the relataive icons in the taskbar notification screen from the start menu. However, when I re-boot they are gone again. I have downloaded and tried "reset notifications icons" as well as "enable network" and enable volume" in relative tutorials. These do not restore the icons. Will I have to restart explorer-exe each time I boot!
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Old 04-04-2009  
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Re: Restart Explorer

Hello Sonia,

I'm sorry, I thought that you had it sorted from your last post.

As a test uninstall and reinstall your network and audio drivers to see if that may help in case they may have been corrupted.
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Old 04-05-2009  
sonia
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Re: Restart Explorer

I also thought it was sorted..Now icons only show if I restart explorer.exe (at least I have a work around). Will check the drivers and post again. Many thanks
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explorer, general tips, restart

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