Many times we need to log off or restart Windows to apply the changes made by a registry script or software. Sometimes we can avoid the log off or restart by doing a simple "End Task" of Windows Explorer and restart Explorer using Task Manager.
- Hidden Trick to Exit Windows Explorer Using Shutdown Dialog Box in Windows XP
- Hidden Trick to Exit Windows Explorer Using Start Menu in Windows Vista and 7
But doing End Task and restarting Explorer using Task Manager requires a few manual steps. Wouldn't it be great if you can get a simple shortcut on Desktop or Quick launch toolbar and simply click on it to automatically end task and restart Explorer?
Today in this tutorial, we are going to share a simple Batch script which can end task of Explorer and then restart it automatically.
Simply copy paste following code in NOTEPAD and save the file with name "Restart_Explorer.bat" (including quotes):
@ECHO OFF
echo.
echo.
echo ==========================================
echo Simple Script to Restart Windows Explorer
echo.
echo Created by "Vishal Gupta" for AskVG.com
echo ==========================================
echo.
echo.
echo STEP 1: Closing Explorer . . .
echo.
TASKKILL /F /IM explorer.exe
echo.
echo.
echo STEP 2: Starting Explorer . . .
start explorer.exe
echo.
echo SUCCESS: Explorer is running.
echo.
echo.
PAUSE
That's it. You can place this script at any location like Desktop, Quick Launch toolbar and whenever you need to restart Explorer, simply run the script.
PS: If you don't want to create the script manually or face any problem while creating the script, you can download a ready-made script using following link:
This article was posted by VG in following section: Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP.
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levar
Very useful, normally I just right click on the taskbar or ctrl + alt + del end the process and start it again.
Satyam
most of time i do it manually, Thanks for creating a script :)
macpro622776
However, usually the explorer.exe freezing includes the desktop and taskbar, so what would be the point?
sigmaphi
Thanks alot very handy
VG
@macpro622776
Its useful when you apply a registry tweak which require you to log off or restart system. Many times we can avoid it by simply doing end task of explorer and restarting it. :)
Uewd
Very helpful. Thanks.
leomate
I usually use Ctrl + Alt + del way....
Mark Anthony
wow..thanks!!
I edited one for sidebar that always freeze up..so i can easily restart it
damn..
Emil
Like @macpro622776 said..Would be much appreciated find something to call up explorer.exe when everything gets stuck and freeze and it's impossible to restart it or reach it becauze Ctrl+Alt+Del doesn't work.
MuTz777
Great one VG! You always ease our lives for the better! :)
MuTz777