Cleanly exiting and restarting Windows File Explorer

Windows 8+

Cleanly Killing the Explorer Task

To cleanly exit Explorer process in Windows 8, right-click on task bar while simultaneously hold down keys <Ctrl><Shift>, to reveal Exit Explorer.

Windows 8+

Restarting the Explorer Task

Windows 8 Task Manager comes with a built-in option to direct restart Explorer.

To get this feature, simply follow these simple steps:

1. Right-click on Taskbar and select Start Task Manager or press <Ctrl><Shift>keys.

2. Make sure you are on the "Processes" tab.

3. Now look for "Windows Explorer" process. As soon as you click on it, you'll get a new button "Restart" at the bottom-right corner of the window.

Windows 7 & Vista

Cleanly kill Explorer Task

To cleanly exit Explorer process in Windows 7/Vista, right-click on the Shut down button  while simultaneously hold down keys <Ctrl>, to reveal Exit Explorer.

Windows 7 & Vista Hack Way we all have used

Restarting the Explorer Task

To restart Explorer, the best tool to use is Process Explorer by Microsoft Windows Sysinternals.

Sysinternals is a specialty division exploring advanced system utilities for Windows IT Professionals.   

1. Download and unzip to c:\windows\system32 folder.
2. Run procexp.exe, and right-click on explorer.exe task and select Restart.

Windows Sysinternals Process Explorer download latest version

Windows Sysinternals Process Explorer page