Windows 11 Explorer won't open, won't launch, or won't respond

Since September 26, 2023, many users have reported a bug where they are unable to start File Explorer.

This time, we will introduce the causes and solutions for when File Explorer does not open, launch, or respond when clicked in Windows 11.

Causes and solutions for Windows 11 File Explorer not opening, launching, or responding

Cause

The recent major update added a new feature, Copilot. (September 26, 2023) KB5030310 onwards)

When Copilot is enabled, you will be unable to open Explorer in environments that disable the Explorer tab feature.

The desktop is displayed, but the Explorer icon on the taskbar or running "explorer" from the Run command no longer responds.

Additionally, if you do not have "Open folder windows in a separate process" checked in Folder Options, opening Explorer will restart it (the desktop will go dark and reappear).

To resolve this issue, you will need to disable Copilot or turn the tab feature back on if you have it disabled.

One way to disable Copilot is to add a value to the registry, but this only hides it and does not solve the problem of not being able to open Explorer.

*If you install the update KB5034204 (OS Build 22621.3085 and 22631.3085) preview released on January 13, 2023, or later, File Explorer will no longer open if the tab feature is disabled.

Solution

Disable Copilot.

The solutions below are current as of October 2023. For the latest information, please see "File Explorer issues."

1.How to disable and restore tabs in Windows 11 Explorer Download "ViVeTool" by referring to the above, open "Terminal (Administrator)" and use the "cd" command to move to the folder containing "ViVeTool".

2. Type the following command and press Enter:

./vivetool /disable /id:44774629,44850061,44776738,42105254,41655236

After running the command, restart your PC and Copilot will be disabled, removed from the taskbar settings, and you'll be able to open File Explorer even if tabs are disabled.

If you disable Copilot, the Explorer display will revert to the state it was in before the update, but you will still be able to extract (unzip) rar and 7z files.

If you want to revert Copilot, change the command "/disable" to "/enable" and run it, then restart your PC to revert it.

If you have already updated with the tab function disabled

Even if you have already updated with the tab function disabled, you can restore it from "Terminal (Administrator)".

If you want to check the location where "ViVeTool" is saved, Explorer will not open.Task manager.

1. Open Task Manager and click "Run new task".

2. "Run new task" will open, so click "Browse".

3. Click on the "Programs (*.exe;*.pif;*.com;*.bat)" section at the bottom right and you will be able to select "All files (*.*)", so select it.

4. You can now operate the file, so check the save location of "ViVeTool".

Win11 23H2: Fully restored! Explorer ribbon

2024 / 02 / 15:

After installing the Windows 11 cumulative update KB5034765 released on February 13, 2024, an issue has been reported in some environments where the desktop and taskbar display becomes abnormally slow.

If you experience any of these symptoms, please try the methods on the next page.

Win11 Solved! KB5034765 Desktop and taskbar display is slow