Restart Windows Explorer

Everything was ok until relatively recently. I could switch between the Start Page apps and Windows Desktop, with everything functioning. But one day some weeks ago my Start Page Apps quit working. If I click on an app, I was suddenly looking at my Desktop with the app minimized on the Start Bar. No way to open that app.

Then I heard some others having the same problem. It seems that all of a sudden the apps could not open if Windows Explorer was in Admin mode. So I tried the Ctrl-Shift-Esc to bring the task manager up. I had to click on Windows Explorer, and select Restart. Then I could go to The Start Page, and the apps worked just fine.

And now, anytime I want to use the apps on the Start Page, I have to Restart Windows Explorer first. Any idea why this happens, and if there is a way to not have to restart WE every time?

Thanks,

Dave

Windows 8.1 HP Omni27.

Hello Dave,

Since this has just recently started to happen, you might see if doing a system restore using a restore point dated before this started may be able to undo it.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4692-system-restore-how-do-windows-8-a.html

If not, then the tutorial below will add "restart explorer" to your desktop context menu to make it easier to do for now until this can be sorted.

Explorer - Add "Restart Explorer" to Desktop Context Menu - Windows 7 Help Forums

Hi Brink,

I followed your instructions, and now have Restart Explorer added to my desktop context menu. There seems to be a lot of sites trying to deal with this problem, since this restart should never have to be done in the first place. It seems to me that we should want W.E. to be in Admin mode. I wonder why the Start Page apps now require it to be restarted?

Thanks,
Dave

Windows apps from the Store do not work if the explorer.exe process is running elevated. This is the main reason why apps do not work while signed in to the built-in elevated Administrator account.

I'm not sure what caused your explorer to run elevated at startup. It shouldn't be by default unless changed somehow.

It's not just apps from the store. It's all of them.

Yeah, the entire modern UI doesn't like explorer running elevated.

Ok, well, maybe you could make some kind of post somewhere if a solution is found. But this might solve itself. I have been notified I can receive a free upgrade to Windows 10, targeted for the end of July. I have registered as wanting it, so I will be notified when it is ready to install. I will finally decide if I want to "stick my neck out", at that time.

TYVM,

Dave