If the current symptom is closer to “Settings not opening,” first check for system app corruption or shell configuration issues. It's easy to isolate Windows shell problems by checking Explorer, startup programs, system files, and user profiles, in that order.
Solving Order
We've organized the methods starting with the simplest and least expensive ones. Please check the solutions one by one, starting from the top.
Please check them in order from the top. If the issue is resolved, you do not need to proceed to the next step.
Taskbar, Start Menu, and Explorer problems can be repaired by restarting the Explorer process.
confirmation point
After these steps, see if the “Settings won’t open” symptom decreases or disappears. If there is no change, check for possible system app corruption in the next step.
Temporary driver and service errors can often be recovered just by restarting.
confirmation point
If it's normal right after rebooting, it's most likely a temporary software error.
Updates may fix known errors in the operating system and underlying drivers.
Corrupted system files can create boot, explorer, app, and update problems.
You can distinguish between shell extensions, startup services, and corrupted user profiles.
We've put together a list of things we frequently check regarding this issue.
If the symptoms do not match exactly, please check the issue below.
Among Windows problems, the symptom of “File Explorer not opening” may be related to Explorer process errors or update/extension conflicts. It's easy to isolate Windows shell problems by checking Explorer, startup programs, system files, and user profiles, in that order.
This guide is organized to help you sort out Explorer/Shell process issues, system app or file corruption items in a safe order for “taskbar not clicking” situations. It's easy to isolate Windows shell problems by checking Explorer, startup programs, system files, and user profiles, in that order.
If the current symptom is close to “Windows not searchable,” first check for Windows Search service/index problems or shell errors. It's easy to isolate Windows shell problems by checking Explorer, startup programs, system files, and user profiles, in that order.
If you are seeing the “File Explorer Not Responding” symptom, possible causes include corrupted files or thumbnails, delayed network paths, etc. It's easy to isolate Windows shell problems by checking Explorer, startup programs, system files, and user profiles, in that order.
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