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explorer.exe - How to Fix? Download Now

Sometimes Windows system displays error messages regarding corrupted or missing explorer.exe files. Situations like that can occur, for example, during a software installation process. Each software program requires certain resources, libraries, and source data to work properly. Corrupted or nonexistent explorer.exe file can therefore effect in failed execution of the started process.

explorer.exe file Windows Explorer. The file was developed by for use with software. Here you will find detailed information about the file and instructions how to proceed in the event of explorer.exe related errors on your device. You can also download explorer.exe file compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Vista, Windows XP devices which will (most probably) allow you to solve the problem.

For Windows Compatible with: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Vista, Windows XP

File info

General information
Filename explorer.exe
File extension EXE
Description Windows Explorer
Software
Program Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Author Microsoft Corporation
Details
MIME type application/octet-stream
File type Executable application
System Windows NT 32-bit
Copyrights © Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Character set Unicode
Language cod English (U.S.)
explorer.exe

There are various types of errors related to explorer.exe file. explorer.exe file may be located in wrong file directory on your device, may not be present in the system, or may be infected with malicious software and therefore not work correctly. Below is a list of most common error messages related to explorer.exe file. If you encounter one listed below (or similar), please consider the following suggestions.

  • explorer.exe is corrupted
  • explorer.exe cannot be located
  • Runtime Error - explorer.exe
  • explorer.exe file error
  • explorer.exe file cannot be loaded. Module was not found
  • cannot register explorer.exe file:
  • explorer.exe file could not be loaded
  • explorer.exe file doesn't exist

explorer.exe

Error

Application could not be started because explorer.exe file is missing. Reinstall the application to solve the problem.

OK

Problems related to explorer.exe can be addressed in various ways. Some methods are meant only for advanced users. If you don't have confidence in your skills, we suggest consulting a specialist. Fixing explorer.exe file errors should be approached with utmost caution for any mistakes can result in unstable or unproperly working system. If you have the necassary skills, please proceed.

explorer.exe file errors can be caused by various factors, so its is beneficial to try to fix them using various methods.

Step 1: Scan your computer for any malicious software

Virus Scan

Windows files are commonly attacked by malicious software that prevents them from working properly. First step in addressing problems with explorer.exe file or any other Windows system files should be scanning the system for malicious software using an antivirus tool.

If by any chance you don't have any antivirus software installed on your system yet, you should do it immediately. Unprotected system is not only a source of file errors, but, more importantly, makes your system vulnerable to many dangers. If you don't know which antivirus tool to choose, consult this Wikipedia article – comparison of antivirus software.

Step 2: Update your system and drivers.

Windows Update

Installing relevant Microsoft Windows patches and updates may solve your problems related to explorer.exe file. Use dedicated Windows tool to perform the update.

  1. Go to the Windows "Start" menu
  2. Type "Windows Update" in the search field
  3. Choose the appropriate software program (name may vary depending on your system version)
  4. Check if your system is up to date. If any unapplied updates are listed, install them immediately.
  5. After the update has been done,restart your computer in order to complete the process.

Beside updating the system, it is recommended that you install latest device drivers, as drivers can influence proper working of explorer.exe or other system files. In order to do so, go to your computer or device producer's website where you will find information regarding latest driver updates.

Step 3: Use System File Checker (SFC) tool

System File Checker

System File Checker is a Microsoft Windows tool. As the name suggests, the tool is used for identyfing and addressing system file related errors, including those related to explorer.exe file. After an error related to%fileextension% file has been discovered, the program attempts to automatically replace the explorer.exe file with properly working version. To use the tool:

  1. Go to the Windows "Start" menu
  2. Type "cmd" in the search field
  3. Locate "Command Prompt" result – don't run it yet:
  4. Click the right mouse button and select "Run as Administrator" option
  5. Type "sfc /scannow" in console prompt to start the program and follow the instructions

Step 4: Restoring Windows system

Windows Recovery

Another approach is to restore system to previous state, before the explorer.exe file error occured. In order to restore your system, follow the instructions below

  1. Go to the Windows "Start" menu
  2. Type "System Restore" in the search field
  3. Start the system restore tool – it's name may differ depending on version of the system
  4. The application will guide you through the process – read the messages carefully
  5. After the process has finished, restart your computer.

If all the above-mentioned methods failed and the explorer.exe file problem has not been resolved, proceed to the next step. Remember that the following steps are intended only for advanced users.

Download and replace explorer.exe file

The last solution is to manually download and replace explorer.exe file in appropriate folder on the disk. Select file version compatible with your operating system and click the "Download" button. Next, go to your web browser's "Downloaded" folder and copy the downloaded explorer.exe file.

Go to the folder where the file should be located and paste the downloaded file. Below is the list of explorer.exe file example directory paths.

  • Windows 10: C:\Windows\
  • Windows 8.1: C:\Windows\
  • Windows 8: 1: C:\Windows\
  • Windows 7: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\
  • Windows 7: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\
  • Windows Vista: ---
  • Windows Vista: ---
  • Windows XP: ---

If the steps did not solve your explorer.exe file problem, you should consult a professional. A probability exists that the error(s) might be device-related and therefore should be resolved at the hardware level. A fresh operating system installation might be necessary – a faulty system installation process can result in data loss.

File versions list

Filename explorer.exe
System Windows 10
File size 4469832 bytes
Date 2017-03-18
File details
MD5 b118183e015ee8ee5ee0fb650c2d8813
SHA1 4a810f12d0f746087fe92dfd490dd4d5456a34f4
SHA256 9dde4d33949b9bfe432b4f0f7be951c309ac8f8a0da417c090d41c790f7052b3
CRC32 746de656
Example file location C:\Windows\
Filename explorer.exe
System Windows 8.1
File size 2207488 bytes
Date 2014-11-21
File details
MD5 4b37a33f4f5237bf02e537f8d12d1129
SHA1 0c4206795bfa11adfe29c35545a4f436a87b3f6b
SHA256 a8ba71ca4619b782c9ba1f11aea9d915b8f9d5f6f30976b75987719390bf509d
CRC32 c6d9e068
Example file location C:\Windows\
Filename explorer.exe
System Windows 8
File size 2114936 bytes
Date 2012-07-26
File details
MD5 5b6ed1b57dbff18d405a0260559b571e
SHA1 2c0515f1f77d4a0c9fbb66ebbaa465743f39589a
SHA256 2ae86d5fe0da0d76863ffd36e7cc8f273aac8e72c3b4cba77a2d888daa26365f
CRC32 c775b906
Example file location 1: C:\Windows\
Filename explorer.exe
System Windows 7
File size 2616320 bytes
Date -0001-11-30
File details
MD5 40d777b7a95e00593eb1568c68514493
SHA1 89a175a12bc20104770d0ef83e553f8b0e06274b
SHA256 0a8ce026714e03e72c619307bd598add5f9b639cfd91437cb8d9c847bf9f6894
CRC32 1a48e75c
Example file location C:\Windows\SysWOW64\
Filename explorer.exe
System Windows 7
File size 2872320 bytes
Date 2010-11-21
File details
MD5 ac4c51eb24aa95b77f705ab159189e24
SHA1 4583daf9442880204730fb2c8a060430640494b1
SHA256 6a671b92a69755de6fd063fcbe4ba926d83b49f78c42dbaeed8cdb6bbc57576a
CRC32 86daa04a
Example file location C:\Windows\SysWOW64\
Filename explorer.exe
System Windows Vista
File size 3079168 bytes
Date 2009-04-11
File details
MD5 6b08e54a451b3f95e4109dba7e594270
SHA1 4a4ffbeb8c559f25b2ff7fdaa63c021610f8fa52
SHA256 0419e4100c3b4ad1831fbf9249173cf32c8209c71b7101674b239a0a47c30e42
CRC32 872f0285
Example file location ---
Filename explorer.exe
System Windows Vista
File size 2926592 bytes
Date -0001-11-30
File details
MD5 d07d4c3038f3578ffce1c0237f2a1253
SHA1 4b3bd605b63749ff255e048ca6f27aff95aec24a
SHA256 135dd05678c8997b45982d77298dbdd98061c9d4fe43d77866846012eb061a04
CRC32 79453807
Example file location ---
Filename explorer.exe
System Windows XP
File size 1033728 bytes
Date 2008-04-14
File details
MD5 12896823fb95bfb3dc9b46bcaedc9923
SHA1 9d2bf84874abc5b6e9a2744b7865c193c08d362f
SHA256 1e675cb7df214172f7eb0497f7275556038a0d09c6e5a3e6862c5e26885ef455
CRC32 e264ff0a
Example file location ---