Windows Explorer - Restart explorer.exe in Windows 8

How to Restart "Windows Explorer" in Windows 8 and 8.1​

   Information

This will show you how to use the new option in Windows 8 to quickly restart "Windows Explorer" (File Explorer) automatically in Task Manager.

Here's How:

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1. Open Task Manager by pressing the CTRL+Shift+ESC keys.​

NOTE: This can be done while in any screen in Windows 8.​

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2. Click on More details if Task Manager opens this way. (see screenshot bleow)​

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3. In the Processes tab, select Windows Explorer, and click on the Restart button. (see screenshot below)​

NOTE: For the Windows Explorer process (explorer.exe), the usual End Task button is replaced with the Restart button instead.​

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4. Windows Explorer will now end task and restart automatically.​

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5. When finished, 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 "Exit Explorer" from Taskbar Properties in Windows 8 and 8.1

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

That restart buttons a nice little addition

Thanks Shawn

 

[Brink]

Hello Danny,

Indeed it is. It makes a lot more sense now with "Restart" since no one should or would want to only "End task" explorer without starting it again afterwards.