Restart Explorer

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.

   Tip

Doing a log off and log on also acts as a quick restart.

   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.

OPTION ONE

Through the Start Menu

1. To Close Explorer.exe​

A) Open the Start Menu.​

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

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C) Releas Ctrl+Shift and click on Exit Explorer.​

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2. To Restart Explorer.exer​

A) Do steps 1 and 3 in Option Two below.​

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OPTION TWO

Through Task Manager

1. Open Task Manager.​

NOTE: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc, or right click on the taskbar and click Task Manager.​

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2. To Close Explorer.exe​

A) Click on the Processes tab. (See screenshot below)​

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B) Click on explorer.exe and click on the End Process button.​

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C) Click on End Process in the confirmation prompt. (See screenshot below)​

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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.​

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3. To Restart Explorer.exe​

A) Click on File in Task Manager. (See screenshot for step 3 above)​

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B) Click on New Task (Run...).​

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C) Type explorer.exe and click OK. (See screenshot below)​

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D) You will notice Explorer restarting.​

NOTE: The taskbar and desktop icons will be back.​

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4. Close Task Manager.​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Add "Restart Explorer" to the Desktop Context Menu
• How to Shutdown, Restart, Switch User, Log Off, Sleep, or Lock Vista from the Keyboard
• How to Create a Restart Computer Shortcut in Vista
• How to Enable or Disable Task Manager in Vista
• How to Switch Between Regular and Small Footprint Mode in Vista Task Manager
• How to Open and Close a Application and Process in Vista Task Manager
• How to Use the Resource Monitor in Vista

 

[sagarun]

we can gracefully restart the explorer.exe by holding ctrl+shift and rightclick on an empty area on the startmenu and clicking exit explorer!!

 

[Brink]

Hello Sagarun, and welcome to Vista Forums.

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

Shawn

 

[sonia]

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!

 

[Brink]

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.

 

[sonia]

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