Fix: File Explorer Crashes After Right-Click [Easy Guide]
We have 3 quick methods to fix File Explorer if it crashes on right-click
- If you're wondering why File Explorer crashes when you right-click, it is due to system problems.
- One quick way to get rid of the Windows Explorer crashes on right-click is by doing a clean boot.
- Try using another third-party file manager if your file explorer freezes when right-clicking.
Some users are facing a problem with their File Explorer. Apparently, their File Explorer crashes when they click on the right mouse click. This problem could be caused by a bad context menu handler.
In case you didn’t know, a context menu handler is a shell extension handler whose job is to add comments to an existing context menu, like for example cut, paste, print, etc.
Why is File Explorer crashing when I right-click?
First of all, File Explorer is the built-in file management tool an important component of your Windows system.
The reasons for File Explorer crashes and malfunctioning is usually connected to a system corruption.
We also have a dedicated and comprehensive article on how to fix File Explorer crashes in Windows 10/11 which may be of great help.
Of course, this problem may also occur after a Windows Update. In this case, you can either roll back the latest update or make sure you install any new patches that Microsoft issued to correct the problem.
Now that we cleared that up, let’s see how we can fix File Explorer if it crashes when you right-click.
How do I fix File Explorer crashing on right-click?
1. Perform a clean boot
NOTE
- Press the Windows key + R to launch the Run console, type msconfig, and press Enter.
- On the Services tab of the System Configuration dialog box, select Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable All.
- On the Startup tab of the System Configuration dialog box, click Open Task Manager.
- On the Startup tab in Task Manager, for each startup item, select the item and then click Disable.
- Close Task Manager.
- On the Startup tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click OK.
- Then restart the computer.
Clean Boot could be a solution for many problems, and it may fix ours as well. It starts Windows with a minimal number of drivers and software.
And that is helpful to determine if some software conflict with each other or the system and prevents them from working.
Be aware that your computer may lose some functionality after you perform a Clean Boot. But right after you start your PC normally, the functionality will return, so there’s no need to worry about that.
2. Use a third-party file manager
If a clean boot didn’t help, then your problem is definitely caused by a bad context menu handler. And below, you’ll find the best and fastest way to handle your files.
When File Explorer is crashing when right-clicking, you’ll need to install one third-party software that can manage your files instead of the built-in tool.
This tool can view and manage all of your installed software and files. Not only will this app help you would drastically, but it is also really easy to use and doesn’t require any previous experience.
The interface is pretty self-explanatory and simplistic, giving you a minimalist look while still helping you find your files quickly. Finding relevant data has never been easier with this awesome app.
⇒ Get Copernic
3. Run the SFC scan
- Click the Start button, type cmd, and select Run as administrator from the results.
- Type the following command and press Enter to run it:
sfc /scannow
- Wait for the scan to complete.
- Try to open File Explorer again to see if this solved the problem.
If the issue persists after following these two solutions, you can also run SFC. This is a built-in tool that scans your system files and fixes corrupted or missing ones.
After this solution, Windows Explorer crashes on right click should stop.
What to do if the right click crashes File Explorer in Windows 11?
Although Windows 11 has many new features and an improved design, a lot of its menus and apps have remained the same.
That is why all the solutions we listed for Windows 10 work perfectly for the new OS as well, including the clean booting procedure, the third-party software, and the Command Prompt line.
Yes, File Explorer looks different in Windows 11 but it has the same functionalities and it can easily break down just as easily, but our solutions will help you fix the right-click problem.
So, there you have it, each one of these solutions should resolve your File Explorer issue when clicking right with the mouse.
You might also be interested in our guide on what to do if File Explorer is slow on Windows 10 & 11 because there might be some helpful solutions there as well.
Do let us know which of our solutions helped you fix the problem with the File Explorer app in the comments section below.
