8 Methods That Work for Fixing Explorer.exe Application Error on Windows 10: Solutions for the explorer exe application error Windows 10

Are you struggling with the frustrating explorer.exe application error on your Windows 10 computer? This common problem is often caused by issues such as outdated PCs, corrupt system files, or even malware infections.

In this blog post, we will guide you through eight effective methods to troubleshoot and fix the error without getting lost in technical jargon. Stay tuned to give your PC a breath of fresh air!

Key Takeaways

• An outdated PC can cause the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10, so it’s important to update your computer regularly.
• Adjusting the virtual memory size can help prevent low resource issues and improve overall performance, reducing the chances of encountering errors.
• Hard drive problems and system file corruption can also lead to the explorer.exe application error. Running disk checks and using System File Checker (SFC) scan can help fix these issues.
• Disabling taskbar auto – hide, addressing memory issues, performing virus scans, and restoring your system to a earlier point are other methods that may help resolve the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10.

Causes of Explorer. exe Application Error

The explorer.exe application error on Windows 10 can be caused by various factors, such as an outdated PC, virtual memory size issues, hard drive problems, system file corruption, taskbar auto-hide settings, memory issues, virus or malware infections, and the need for a system restore to a healthier point.

Outdated PC

An outdated PC can lead to the explorer.exe application error. Keeping your PC up-to-date is vital for its smooth running. An old system may have compatibility issues with new software and apps.

These problems can trigger errors. To fix this, you need to update your computer regularly. This helps make sure all parts of your PC work well together. It also keeps them safe from threats like viruses or malware.

Virtual memory size

To fix the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10, adjusting the virtual memory size can be helpful. Virtual memory is like extra space on your computer’s hard drive that it uses as additional memory when needed.

By increasing the virtual memory size, you can give your computer more room to handle multiple tasks and reduce the chances of encountering errors.

To adjust the virtual memory size, you can follow these steps:

1. Right-click on “This PC” or “My Computer” and select “Properties.”.

2. In the System Properties window, click on “Advanced system settings.”.

3. In the Advanced tab, under Performance, click on “Settings.”.

4. In the Performance Options window, go to the Advanced tab.

5. Under Virtual Memory, click on “Change.”.

6. Uncheck the box that says “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.”.

7. Select your system drive (usually C:).

8. Choose either “System managed size” or manually set a specific value for Initial and Maximum Size.

Hard drive issues

If you’re experiencing the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10, it could be due to hard drive issues. Sometimes, problems with your hard drive can cause this error to occur.

It’s important to check your hard drive for any errors or damage. You can do this by running a disk check utility that is built into Windows 10. This utility will scan your hard drive for any issues and attempt to fix them.

If the problem persists after running a disk check, you may need to consider replacing or repairing your hard drive.

System file corruption

System file corruption can be a cause of the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10. When system files become corrupted, it can lead to issues with various programs and processes, including File Explorer.

Corrupted files can result from a variety of factors, such as malware infections, improper shutdowns, or hardware failures. To fix this issue, running a System File Checker (SFC) scan is recommended.

The SFC scan will check for any corrupt or missing system files and attempt to repair them automatically. This can help resolve the explorer.exe application error and ensure that your Windows operating system is functioning properly.

Taskbar auto-hide

To fix the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10, one of the methods suggested is to disable the taskbar auto-hide feature. This can be done by right-clicking on an empty space in the taskbar and selecting “Taskbar Settings”.

Then, toggle off the “Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode” option. Disabling this feature can help prevent any conflicts with the explorer.exe process and potentially resolve the application error issue.

Memory issues

Memory issues can also be a cause of the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10. When your computer doesn’t have enough memory, it can lead to problems with running certain programs, including File Explorer.

One solution is to run the Memory Diagnostic Tool, which checks for any issues with your computer’s RAM memory. If any problems are found, you can take steps to fix them and improve your computer’s overall performance.

It’s important to address memory issues promptly to prevent further errors and ensure smooth operation of your Windows operating system.

Virus or malware infections

Virus or malware infections can also cause the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10. These malicious programs can disrupt the normal functioning of your computer and lead to errors in various applications, including File Explorer.

It is important to ensure that your computer is protected with a reliable antivirus software and perform regular scans to detect and remove any viruses or malware that may be causing the error.

By keeping your system clean from these infections, you can reduce the chances of encountering the explorer.exe application error and maintain a smooth computing experience.

System restore to a healthier point

If you’re facing the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10, one method that might help is doing a system restore to a healthier point. This means going back to a previous date and time when your computer was working fine.

By restoring your system to that healthier point, you can potentially fix any issues that might be causing the explorer.exe error. System restore can be accessed through the Control Panel or by typing “system restore” in the search bar.

Remember to choose a restore point where your computer was functioning properly to increase the chances of resolving the error.

Methods to Fix Explorer. exe Application Error

To fix the Explorer.exe application error on Windows 10, there are several methods that you can try. Update your PC, adjust virtual memory size, check your hard drive for issues, run SFC and DISM scans, disable taskbar auto-hide, perform a virus scan, and restore your system to a healthier point.

These steps will help troubleshoot and resolve the Explorer.exe application error in Windows 10.

Update PC

To fix the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10, one of the methods is to update your PC. This can help resolve any compatibility issues that may be causing the error. Here are some steps to update your PC:

1. Go to the Start menu and click on “Settings.”
2. In the Settings window, click on “Update & Security.”
3. Click on “Windows Update” in the left sidebar.
4. Click on the “Check for updates” button.
5. If there are any available updates, click on “Download and install” to install them.
6. Restart your PC after the updates have been installed.

Adjust virtual memory size

To fix the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10, you can try adjusting the virtual memory size. This can help improve system performance and resolve any memory-related issues that may be causing the error. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu.
2. In Control Panel, click on “System and Security” and then select “System.”
3. On the left side of the System window, click on “Advanced system settings.”
4. In the System Properties window, go to the “Advanced” tab.
5. Under the Performance section, click on “Settings.”
6. In the Performance Options window, go to the “Advanced” tab.
7. Under Virtual Memory, click on “Change.”
8. Uncheck the box that says “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.”
9. Select your system drive (usually C: ) and choose either “Custom Size” or “System managed size.”
10. If you choose Custom Size, enter an initial size and maximum size for your virtual memory in megabytes (MB).
11. Click on “Set” and then click on “OK” to save your changes.
12. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Check hard drive

To fix the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10, it’s important to check the hard drive for any issues. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Run a disk check: Use the built-in Windows utility called Check Disk (Chkdsk) to scan and repair any errors on your hard drive.
2. Defragment your hard drive: Over time, files on your hard drive can become fragmented, which can slow down your system and cause errors. Use the Disk Defragmenter tool to optimize your hard drive.
3. Free up disk space: If your hard drive is almost full, it can lead to performance issues and errors. Delete unnecessary files and programs to free up space.
4. Update device drivers: Outdated or incompatible device drivers can cause errors with File Explorer. Check for updates for your hardware devices and install them if available.

Run SFC and DISM scans

To fix the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10, you can run SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) scans. These scans can help identify and fix any corrupted system files that may be causing the error. SFC scan checks for integrity violations in system files and repairs them if possible. DISM scan repairs the Windows image by using installation files from a specified source, such as a Windows installation DVD or a network share.

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter to run the SFC scan. This process may take some time.
3. Once the SFC scan is complete, type “DISM /Online /Cleanup – Image /RestoreHealth” and press Enter to run the DISM scan. This process may also take some time.
4. After the DISM scan finishes, restart your computer.

Disable taskbar auto-hide

The taskbar auto-hide feature can sometimes cause explorer.exe application errors on Windows 10. To fix this issue, you can try disabling the taskbar auto-hide. Here are the steps to do it:

1. Right – click on an empty area of the taskbar.
2. Select “Taskbar settings” from the menu that appears.
3. In the Taskbar settings window, toggle off the “Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode” option.
4. Close the Taskbar settings window.

Run Memory Diagnostic Tool

To fix the explorer.exe application error, you can run the Memory Diagnostic Tool. It helps to identify any issues with your computer’s RAM memory. Here are the steps to do it:

1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “mdsched.exe” and press Enter.
3. Choose whether to restart your computer immediately or schedule a restart for later.
4. Wait for your computer to restart and the Memory Diagnostic Tool to run.
5. The tool will automatically scan and test your computer’s RAM memory for any errors.
6. Once the scan is complete, your computer will automatically restart again.
7. Check if the explorer.exe application error is resolved after the restart.

Perform virus scan

Performing a virus scan is an important step in fixing the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10. It can help identify any malware infections that may be causing the error. Here are some key points to keep in mind when performing a virus scan:

• Use a reputable antivirus program: Choose a trusted antivirus program and make sure it’s up to date. This will ensure that it can effectively detect and remove any viruses or malware.
• Run a full system scan: Perform a thorough scan of your entire system, including all files and folders. This will help identify any potential threats hiding in different areas of your computer.
• Quarantine or remove detected threats: If the antivirus program detects any viruses or malware, follow its instructions to quarantine or remove them. Quarantining isolates the infected files, while removal deletes them from your system.
• Schedule regular scans: Set up scheduled scans to run automatically at specified intervals. This will help protect your computer from future infections by continuously monitoring for threats.
• Update your antivirus program regularly: Keep your antivirus software updated with the latest virus definitions to ensure it can detect and protect against new threats.

Restore system

To fix the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10, you can try restoring the system to a healthier point. Here are the steps you can follow:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “rstrui” and press Enter to open the System Restore tool.
3. Click “Next” and choose a restore point from the list (make sure it’s a point before the error occurred).
4. Click “Next” again and then click “Finish” to start the restoration process.
5. Wait for the system restore to complete, and then restart your computer.

Additional Troubleshooting Steps

Check for video driver updates, run System File Checker (SFC), scan for virus or malware infections, start PC in Safe Mode, start PC in Clean Boot environment, test system’s RAM memory, test for corrupted picture files, perform System Restore, and perform In-Place Upgrade.

Check for video driver updates

To fix the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10, you should check for video driver updates. Outdated or corrupted video drivers can cause this error. Keeping your video drivers updated ensures that they are compatible with your operating system and can help prevent errors. Make sure to regularly check for new driver updates from the manufacturer’s website or using a reliable driver update software. By updating your video drivers, you can potentially resolve the explorer.exe application error and improve the overall performance of your system.

Run System File Checker (SFC)

Running the System File Checker (SFC) is another method to fix the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10. The SFC tool scans for any corrupted system files and repairs them automatically. To run the SFC scan:

1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the menu that appears.
2. In the Command Prompt window, type “sfc /scannow” (without quotes) and press Enter.
3. The SFC tool will start scanning your system for any corrupted files and attempt to repair them.
4. Once the scan is complete, restart your computer.

Scan for virus or malware infections

To fix the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10, it is important to scan for virus or malware infections. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Use a reliable antivirus software to scan your computer for any potential threats.
2. Make sure your antivirus software is up to date with the latest virus definitions.
3. Perform a full system scan to check for any malicious files or programs.
4. If any viruses or malware are detected, follow the prompts to remove them from your system.
5. After removing the infections, restart your computer and see if the explorer.exe application error still persists.

Start PC in Safe Mode

Sometimes, starting your PC in Safe Mode can help fix the explorer.exe application error. In Safe Mode, your computer will only load necessary system files and drivers, which can help isolate and identify any issues causing the error. Here’s how to start your PC in Safe Mode:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “msconfig” (without quotes) and press Enter.
3. In the System Configuration window that appears, go to the “Boot” tab.
4. Under the “Boot options” section, check the box next to “Safe boot”.
5. Choose either “Minimal” or “Network”, depending on your needs.
6. Click Apply and then OK.
7. When prompted, click on Restart to start your PC in Safe Mode.

Start PC in Clean Boot environment

To troubleshoot the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10, you can try starting your PC in a Clean Boot environment. This will help you determine if any third-party applications or services are causing the error. Here are the steps to start your PC in a Clean Boot environment:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “msconfig” and press Enter to open the System Configuration window.
3. In the General tab, click on “Selective startup” and uncheck the box next to “Load startup items.”
4. Go to the Services tab and check the box next to “Hide all Microsoft services.”
5. Click on “Disable all” to disable all third – party services.
6. Go to the Startup tab and click on “Open Task Manager.”
7. In Task Manager, disable any startup programs that are enabled.
8. Close Task Manager and go back to the System Configuration window.
9. Click on OK and restart your computer.

Test system’s RAM memory

To fix the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10, you can also test your system’s RAM memory. This will help identify any issues with your computer’s memory that may be causing the error. Here are the steps to test your system’s RAM memory:

1. Restart your computer and press the F12 key repeatedly to access the boot menu.
2. From the boot menu, select “Memory Diagnostic” or “Memory Test.”
3. Follow the on – screen instructions to start the memory test.
4. The test will check your computer’s RAM for any errors or issues.
5. Once the test is complete, your computer will restart automatically.
6. Check if the explorer.exe application error still persists.

Test for corrupted picture files

To fix the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10, you can also try testing for corrupted picture files. Here are some steps to follow:

1. Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
2. Navigate to the folder where you store your pictures.
3. Select a few pictures and try opening them. If any of them fail to open or display properly, they might be corrupted.
4. To confirm if they are indeed corrupted, try opening them on a different device or using a different image viewer program.
5. If the pictures are indeed corrupted, you can either delete them or try repairing them if possible.
6. To repair a corrupted picture file, you can use specialized software designed for that purpose. There are several options available online that you can download and use.
7. Once the corrupted picture files have been repaired or deleted, restart your computer and check if the explorer.exe application error persists.

Perform System Restore

Performing a System Restore is another method you can try to fix the explorer.exe application error. Here’s how:

• Open the Start menu and type “System Restore” in the search bar.
• Click on “Create a restore point” from the search results.
• In the System Properties window, click on the “System Restore” button.
• Click “Next” and select a restore point from the list (choose one that was created before the error started occurring).
• Follow the on – screen instructions to complete the system restore process.
• After the restoration is finished, restart your computer and check if the explorer.exe application error has been resolved.

Perform In-Place Upgrade

Performing an in-place upgrade can be another method to fix the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10. This process helps repair any issues with the operating system without losing your personal files and installed programs. Here are the steps to perform an in-place upgrade:

1. Download the Windows 10 installation media from the official Microsoft website.
2. Insert the installation media into your computer.
3. Open File Explorer and navigate to the installation media.
4. Double – click on the setup.exe file to start the upgrade process.
5. Follow the on – screen instructions and choose the option to “Upgrade this PC now.”
6. Select your preferred settings, such as language, time zone, and keyboard layout.
7. Click on “Install” to begin the upgrade process.
8. The installation will take some time, so be patient and let it complete.
9. Once the upgrade is finished, restart your computer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these 8 methods provide effective solutions for fixing the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10. Updating your PC and adjusting virtual memory size can help resolve compatibility issues.

Checking the hard drive, running SFC and DISM scans, disabling taskbar auto-hide, and performing a virus scan are also recommended steps. Finally, restarting File Explorer and disabling Fast Startup can help troubleshoot the error.

By following these methods, you should be able to fix the explorer.exe application error on your Windows 10 system.

FAQs

1. What is the explorer.exe application error on Windows 10?

The explorer.exe application error on Windows 10 is an error message that pops up when opening your computer or shutting down windows.

2. How do I fix the explorer.exe application error?

Fixing the explorer.exe application error involves eight effective methods, such as using Advanced Startup Options and making sure your files are defragmented.

3. Can troubleshooting help with fixing the explorer exe error on my PC?

Yes! Troubleshooting can play a big role in helping to solve the explorer exe application errors you might be facing with your system.

4. Will these methods work for all types of Explorer exe errors?

While we can’t be sure if it works for all, these eight methods have been proven to work effectively in most cases involving different types of Explorerexe errors.