How to Get Help with File Explorer in Windows 11/10

To get help with File Explorer in Windows 11 or Windows 10, open the Get Help app from Start, or read Microsoft's File Explorer articles at support.microsoft.com/windows.

This guide also fixes the problems people ask for help with most: Explorer freezing, search missing files, missing thumbnails, access errors, and when a repair, restore or reset is the right call.

Use the Built-In Help Options for File Explorer

The Get Help app is the built-in help hub in Windows 11 and Windows 10. It holds tutorials, troubleshooters and a route to Microsoft support staff.

1. Select Start and type get help in the search box.
2. Select Get Help in the results.
3. Sign in with a Microsoft personal account or a work or school account if prompted.
4. Type your File Explorer problem in plain words, for example File Explorer not responding, and press Enter.
5. Follow the suggested article or troubleshooter. If the problem remains, use the option to contact support shown in the app.

Settings pages also carry a Get help link that explains the setting you are looking at. For a wider tour of every Windows help channel, see how to get help in Windows 11.

Which help route fits your problem?

Your situation	Use this	Why
You need a quick answer to a how-to question	Type the question in the taskbar search box	Windows search returns apps, files, settings and web help in one list
You want guided fixes or a human	The Get Help app	It links troubleshooters, articles and Microsoft support contact in one place
You are stuck on a specific setting	The Get help link inside Settings	It explains the exact setting on screen
You need full step-by-step documentation	support.microsoft.com/windows	Microsoft's File Explorer articles cover both Windows 11 and Windows 10
Explorer crashes, freezes or will not open	The fixes in this guide, then sfc /scannow	Most Explorer faults clear with a restart, an update or a system file repair
You pressed F1 in File Explorer	Any route above	Microsoft's File Explorer shortcut list assigns no action to F1, so rely on Get Help or the support site instead

Learn the File Explorer Layout

Knowing each part's name makes help articles easier to follow. Windows 11 uses a command bar; Windows 10 uses a ribbon with tabs.

Part	Windows 11	Windows 10	Keyboard access
Start page	Home, with Quick access folders and recent files	Quick access, with frequent folders and recent files	Press Windows logo key + E
Commands	Command bar: Cut, Copy, Paste, Share, View	Ribbon with Share and View tabs	Shift + F10 opens the context menu
Address bar	Shows and edits the current path	Shows and edits the current path	Alt + D, Ctrl + L or F4
Search box	Searches the open folder or drive	Searches the open folder or drive	Ctrl + E or Ctrl + F
Navigation pane	Left pane: Home, OneDrive, This PC, network	Left pane: Quick access, OneDrive, This PC, network	Ctrl + Shift + E expands all folders
Preview and details panes	Right-side panes toggled from View > Show	Toggled from the View tab	Alt + P preview, Alt + Shift + P details
Tabs	Several folders in one window	Not available	Ctrl + T new tab, Ctrl + W close

If the left pane has vanished in Windows 11, select View > Show > Navigation pane.

Open File Explorer Quickly

1. Press Windows logo key + E from anywhere in Windows.
2. Or select the folder icon on the taskbar.
3. Or select Start and choose File Explorer from the pinned apps or the app list.
4. On Windows 10, you can also select Start > Documents beneath your user icon.
5. Press Ctrl + N inside File Explorer to open a second window, or Ctrl + T for a new tab on Windows 11.

To start in This PC instead of Home, change Open File Explorer to in Folder Options, covered in the view settings table below. For more routes to that folder, read where This PC is on Windows 11.

Find Missing Files and Folders

Work down this list in order. Each step checks a place where files commonly end up.

1. Select Search on the taskbar and type the file name or a word from inside the document.
2. Open File Explorer, select This PC and search there. Searching from This PC goes deeper than searching from Home.
3. Show hidden items: on Windows 11 select View > Show > Hidden items; on Windows 10 select View > Options > Change folder and search options, then the View tab and Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
4. Open the Recycle Bin on the desktop. If its icon is missing, go to Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings, tick Recycle Bin and select OK.
5. If the file was in OneDrive, sign in at OneDrive.com, use Search everything, then check the OneDrive Recycle bin and select Restore.
6. If File History was on, right-click the folder that held the file, select Restore previous versions, pick a version and select Restore.

Saved documents usually land in your Documents folder, which OneDrive backup can relocate. See where the Documents folder is in Windows 11/10 to confirm where yours points.

Many app files sit in hidden folders. The guide to finding the AppData folder in Windows 11 and Windows 10 covers that location. For files deleted past the Recycle Bin, Microsoft offers the Windows File Recovery app in the Microsoft Store.

Fix File Explorer Not Responding or Freezing

File Explorer is frozen or the taskbar stopped responding

The Windows Explorer process has hung and needs a restart.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Find Windows Explorer in the list, right-click it and select Restart.
3. If Windows Explorer is not listed, select File > Run new task, type explorer.exe and press Enter.

File Explorer will not open at all

A pending update or a stuck session is the usual reason, according to Microsoft.

1. On Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates and install everything offered.
2. On Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
3. Restart the PC so pending updates finish installing.
4. If Explorer still fails, run the system file repair in the section below.

File Explorer is slow or keeps crashing on Windows 10

Low virtual memory or a full system drive slows Explorer down.

1. Search for control panel, then open System and Security > System > Advanced system settings.
2. On the Advanced tab, under Performance, select Settings, then the Advanced tab.
3. Set Adjust for best performance of to Programs.
4. Under Virtual memory, select Change and tick Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
5. Select OK, then Apply, and restart.
6. Search for disk cleanup, pick your system drive, select OK, tick the file types to delete and select OK.

Some Explorer glitches are fixed by Windows updates themselves. One example: KB5079382 fixed File Explorer white flashes in Windows 11.

Disk Cleanup removes temporary files among others. To inspect them by hand, see where the Temp folder is in Windows 11.

Fix File Explorer Search Problems

Search in File Explorer does not find a file you know exists

You searched from Home, or the file's folder is not in the search index.

1. Open File Explorer, select This PC, and search again from there.
2. Open Settings > Privacy & security > Search (Windows 11) and select Customize search locations under Find my files.
3. In Indexing Options, select Modify.
4. Tick the folder that holds the file and select OK. Results improve once Windows finishes indexing it.

Search only covers Documents, Pictures, Music and the desktop

Classic indexing mode covers only those locations by default.

1. Open Settings > Privacy & security > Search.
2. Under Find my files, choose Enhanced to index your entire PC, including all user folders.
3. Keep Classic if you store files only in the standard folders.

Change File Explorer View, Sorting, and Folder Options

Most layout complaints come down to one of these settings. Windows 11 keeps them under View and the See more (…) menu; Windows 10 keeps them on the View tab.

What you want	Windows 11	Windows 10
Open File Explorer to This PC	See more > Options > Open File Explorer to > This PC > Apply	View > Options > Open File Explorer to > This PC > Apply
Show file name extensions	View > Show > File name extensions	View > Options > Change folder and search options > View tab > clear Hide extensions for known file types
Show hidden files	View > Show > Hidden items	Same dialog > tick Show hidden files, folders, and drives
Show item check boxes	View > Show > Item check boxes	Same dialog > tick Use check boxes to select items
Tighter spacing	View > Compact view	Not applicable
Change icon size or layout	View, or Ctrl + Shift + 1–9, or Ctrl + mouse wheel	View tab, or the same shortcuts
Sort files	Switch to Details view and select a column header such as Name or Date modified	Same
Hide recent files and frequent folders	See more > Options > Privacy section	View > Options > Privacy section

Windows 10 also shows Libraries once you select View > Navigation pane > Show libraries.

Get Help with Copying, Moving, Renaming, and Deleting Files

Right-click a file in Windows 11 for the short menu with Cut, Copy, Paste, Rename, Share and Delete. Select Show more options for the full Windows 10-style menu.

Task	With the mouse	With the keyboard
Copy a file to another folder	Hold Ctrl and drag the file to the folder	Select it, Copy, open the folder, Paste
Move a file	Hold Shift and drag the file to the folder	Select it, Cut, open the folder, Paste
Create a shortcut instead	Hold Alt and drag the file	Not needed
Rename	Right-click > Rename	Select the file and press F2
Delete to the Recycle Bin	Right-click > Delete	Ctrl + D or Delete
Delete permanently	Not recommended from the menu	Shift + Delete skips the Recycle Bin
Select several items	Tick item check boxes	Shift + arrow keys, or Ctrl + arrow keys then Spacebar
Make a new folder	Not needed	Ctrl + Shift + N

If Windows says a file is in use, close the app that has it open and try again. Restarting Windows Explorer from Task Manager also releases files Explorer itself is holding.

Fix Thumbnail and Preview Problems

Thumbnails show the wrong picture, a blank or a generic icon

The thumbnail cache is stale or corrupted.

1. Type disk cleanup in the taskbar search box and select Disk Cleanup.
2. Choose your system drive and select OK.
3. Tick Thumbnails and clear the other boxes if you only want to reset thumbnails.
4. Select OK to delete them, then reopen the folder.

The preview pane does not appear

The pane is switched off, which is the default.

1. Open the folder and select a file.
2. Press Alt + P to toggle the preview pane.
3. Press Alt + Shift + P if you want the details pane instead.

Only icons appear, never thumbnails

The folder uses a list-style layout.

1. Select View and choose a larger icon layout.
2. Or hold Ctrl and turn the mouse wheel until thumbnails appear.

Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Work Faster

These shortcuts come from Microsoft's File Explorer shortcut list and cover most daily work.

Press	What it does
Windows logo key + E	Open File Explorer
Alt + D, Ctrl + L or F4	Jump to the address bar
Ctrl + E, Ctrl + F or F3	Jump to the search box
Alt + Up arrow	Go up one folder level
Alt + Left arrow or Backspace	Go back to the previous folder
Alt + Enter	Open properties for the selected item
F2	Rename the selected item
F5	Refresh the window
Ctrl + Shift + N	Create a new folder
Ctrl + T / Ctrl + W / Ctrl + Tab	Open a tab, close a tab, move to the next tab (Windows 11)
Ctrl + Plus (+)	Resize all columns to fit
Shift + F10	Open the context menu for the selected item
Shift + right-click	Open the Show more options menu directly (Windows 11)

Check Permissions When You Cannot Open, Change, or Delete a File

"Access is denied" when you open, change or delete a file

Your account lacks the right permission on that file or folder.

1. Type cmd in the taskbar search box, right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
2. Run icacls "C:\path\to\file" with the real path to list who has access.
3. Read the letters after each account: F full, M modify, RX read and execute, R read-only, W write-only.
4. If your account is missing or has only R, ask the file's owner or an administrator to grant access.

You are an administrator but still cannot touch a file

Another account owns the file.

1. In the elevated Command Prompt, run takeown /f "C:\path\to\file".
2. For a folder and everything inside it, add /r.
3. Grant yourself permissions afterwards if Windows still refuses to delete the file.

Access is denied even though permissions look correct

Another user encrypted the file with EFS, and only that user or a recovery agent can open it.

1. Ask the person who encrypted the file to decrypt it.
2. On a work PC, ask IT, which holds the recovery agent.

Use Microsoft Support and Reliable Online Help

Microsoft's own pages are the reliable source for File Explorer steps. These are the ones worth bookmarking.

Page	Where	Use it for
File Explorer in Windows	support.microsoft.com/windows > File Explorer	Layout, Quick access, pinning, Windows 11 and Windows 10 options
Fix File Explorer if it won't open or start	support.microsoft.com/windows > File Explorer	Microsoft's official repair order
About Get Help	support.microsoft.com/support/get-help	Opening Get Help, sign-in rules, troubleshooters
Keyboard shortcuts in Windows	support.microsoft.com/windows	The full File Explorer shortcut list
Search indexing in Windows	support.microsoft.com/windows	Classic vs Enhanced search, indexed locations
Contact Microsoft Support	Get Help app > contact option	Human help once self-help fails

Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft's File Explorer articles still carry Windows 10 steps, but new fixes arrive only for Windows 11.

Run System Repairs for Persistent File Explorer Problems

When Explorer keeps crashing after updates and a restart, repair the Windows system files. Run DISM first, then System File Checker.

1. Type cmd in the search box, right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
2. Run DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth and wait. It takes several minutes.
3. Run sfc /scannow.
4. Leave the window open until verification reaches 100%.
5. Restart the PC and open File Explorer again.

"Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations" means system files are fine. "Found corrupt files and successfully repaired them" means the repair worked. If it reports files it could not fix, move on to the recovery options below.

When to Use System Restore or Reset This PC

Both are last resorts. Try the fixes above first, and back up before either one.

Option	What it changes	Your personal files	How to start it
System Restore	Rolls back system files, registry settings and installed programs to a restore point	Kept	Press Windows logo key + R, type rstrui.exe, press Enter, then Next, pick a point, Next, Finish
Reset this PC: Keep my files	Reinstalls Windows and removes apps and settings	Kept	Windows 11: Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC. Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Get started
Reset this PC: Remove everything	Reinstalls Windows and removes all apps and settings	Deleted	Same path, then choose Remove everything

Use System Restore when Explorer broke after a recent app, driver or update install. Use Keep my files only when restore points fail or none exist. Select Scan for affected programs in System Restore to see which apps will be removed.

Back Up Important Files Before Major Troubleshooting

A reset or a failed repair is where files get lost. File History copies your libraries to an external drive or network location.

1. Connect an external drive or pick a network location.
2. Open Control Panel > System and Security > Save backup copies of your files with File History.
3. Select Turn on. Use Select drive if Windows picked the wrong drive, then select OK.
4. To back up a folder outside your libraries, right-click it, select Show more options > Include in library.
5. Wait for the first backup to finish before you run a reset.

Restore later by right-clicking the original folder and selecting Restore previous versions. Restoring replaces the current version and cannot be undone.

How to check File Explorer is working again

1. Press Windows logo key + E. File Explorer should open within a second or two.
2. Open a large folder such as Pictures and scroll. Thumbnails should load without the window greying out.
3. Search from This PC for a file you know exists. It should appear in the results.
4. Rename a test file with F2, then delete it with Ctrl + D. It should land in the Recycle Bin.
5. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and confirm Windows Explorer is running without climbing CPU use.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get help with File Explorer in Windows 11?

Open Start, type get help, and select Get Help. Describe your File Explorer problem and follow the suggested fix. Microsoft's "File Explorer in Windows" article at support.microsoft.com covers the layout and common options for Windows 11.

How do I get help with File Explorer in Windows 10?

The Get Help app works on Windows 10 too: search for get help from Start. Microsoft's File Explorer articles still include Windows 10 steps, although Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025.

What does F1 do in File Explorer?

Microsoft's keyboard shortcut list for File Explorer does not assign any action to F1. For reliable help, open the Get Help app or go to support.microsoft.com/windows rather than relying on the F1 key.

Do I need a Microsoft account to use Get Help?

Yes. Microsoft says Get Help is available to people signed in with a Microsoft personal account or a work or school account. Personal account users can also submit support requests through the app.

How do I restart File Explorer without restarting the PC?

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, find Windows Explorer, right-click it and select Restart. If it is not listed, select File > Run new task, type explorer.exe and press Enter.

Why does Windows say a file is in use?

Another program still has the file open. Close that app and try again. If Explorer itself is holding the file, restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager to release it.

How do I show file extensions in File Explorer?

On Windows 11, select View > Show > File name extensions. On Windows 10, open View > Options > Change folder and search options, select the View tab and clear Hide extensions for known file types.

How do I make File Explorer open to This PC?

On Windows 11, select See more > Options, set Open File Explorer to to This PC, and select Apply. On Windows 10, the same setting is under View > Options.

How do I work with files faster in File Explorer?

Use keyboard shortcuts: F2 renames, Ctrl + Shift + N makes a folder, Ctrl + E jumps to search and Alt + Up arrow goes up a level. On Windows 11, Ctrl + T opens a new tab.

Does sfc /scannow fix File Explorer?

It repairs missing or corrupted Windows system files, which fixes Explorer crashes caused by damaged files. Run DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth first, then sfc /scannow, from an administrator Command Prompt.