[Windows 10 Explorer Fix] Windows cannot Find, Make Sure You Typed the Name Correctly, and Then Try Again

Today I encountered a weird issue in Windows 10 operating system. I usually open Windows Explorer by using WIN+E hotkey. When I pressed WIN and E keys together, Windows showed following error message:

[Explorer.EXE]

Windows cannot find ”. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.

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Windows_Cannot_Find_Explorer_EXE_Error_Message.png

Then I tried to open Windows Explorer by double-clicking on This PC icon on Desktop and it opened fine. Again I tried to open Windows Explorer using ‘Explorer.exe‘ command in RUN dialog box and it showed following error message:

[shell:::{52205fd8-5dfb-447d-801a-d0b52f2e83e1}]

Windows cannot find ‘shell:::{52205fd8-5dfb-447d-801a-d0b52f2e83e1}’. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.

Windows_10_Cannot_Find_Error_Message.png

I again tried to open Windows Explorer using WIN+X menu. I selected “File Explorer” option from WIN+X menu and it showed same error message.

The “Explorer.exe” file was present in Windows directory and there was no problem in opening Windows Explorer using shortcuts on Desktop or Taskbar. Only WIN+E hotkey and RUN dialog box, WIN+X menu shortcut was causing this problem.

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Finally I was able to address this annoying issue and fixed it using a very simple solution.

If you also face this problem ever, you may try following working fix:

1. Open Windows Explorer (or File Explorer or This PC) by double-clicking on its desktop icon or by clicking on its pinned icon on Taskbar. Now click on View tab in Ribbon and then click on Options.

If you are unable to open Windows Explorer and get above mentioned error message, open Control Panel and click on “File Explorer Options” icon.

2. Now check the option “Open File Explorer to:“. It would be set to “Quick access“. Click on the drop-down box and select “This PC” option.

Open_File_Explorer_This_PC_Quick_Access_Windows_10.png

3. Apply the changes and it’ll fix the problem.

Now you’ll no longer receive any error message while trying to launch Windows Explorer.

It seems a “Quick Access” related bug to me and when we disable “Quick Access” option in File Explorer options, it solves the issue.

Also Check:

[Fix] Windows cannot Find Office Applications EXE Files Error Message in Windows 10

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 10

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

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  1. Hi, VG
    please help me about this problem.
    How can I fix this Error:
    “An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host. This normally results if the peer application on the remote host is suddenly stopped, the host is rebooted, or the remote host used a ‘hard close’ ”
    I have this problem when i want download from a site. i do not have this for another sites or upload centers. i use IDM. i check without IDM but did not worked.

  2. ^^ Its an issue with that website. Download managers cant download files from every websites. Some websites don’t support download manager software.

  3. I have the same problem but it happens with files that I download from the internet (I use firefox) it happpened with winzip when I tryed to download it and with a game that was a .zip file I tryed your solution but it didn’t work

  4. I am trying to download Solid Edge and keep getting the same message over and over, ‘C:\Users\itsmin\solid_edge_web_installer_2019.exe’. Make sure you typed the name correctly, then try again. Help???

  5. I got that error while open a application like c++
    i want solve it plz help for me”windows cannot find the application make sure you typed the name correctly,and then try again”

  6. A problem I’m having with the Windows 10 x64 1809 update is Windows Explorer no longer shows some file details for all video file types, and doesn’t show some details for just certain types.

    I have all my folders with videos set in Details view to show Length, Frame Height, Frame Width, Subtitle Tracks. (I think Subtitle Tracks was added by some 3rd party program, I don’t know which.)

    After the update, it wasn’t showing any of those for any type of video file. A couple of reboots later brought back length for all. It shows Frame Height and Frame Width data for MP4 and AVI but *not* MKV. It doesn’t show Subtle Tracks for any video file type.

    It has *never* shown Subtitle Tracks info for MP4.

    There are two other options for the header, Subtitle and Subtitles, neither of which has ever shown anything in its column for any type of video file.

    How can I get this back to how it was before the 1809 update *and* make Windows show Subtitle Tracks info for MP4?

  7. How can i fix my administrative tool please help me
    example when i open one of my admin. tool it will not open but it will pop up “windows cannot find name make sure you type correctly”
    same issue when i will open another admin.tools

  8. The following error pops up each time I start windows 7 Ultimate -freshly installed.

    ssl.exe
    windows cannot find ‘ssl.exe’. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.

    Googled, but unable to find any info beside: Filename: SSL.exe Latest Known Version: 1.0.0.0 Developer: VeriSign Software: VeriSign Security Services.

    Any help appreciated. Thanks in advance.

  9. I have been getting above issue launching 32 bit apps and adjustment provided no change. Launching Adobe CC or Steam launcher. Because there are few 32 running, services level. Thought it might be security oddity, but no success. Tried running as ADMIN and same error. What’s your thoughts.

    Update: tried remaining “Creative Cloud.exe” to cloud app launch, but not getting internet. I thought 32bits app had a different TCP/IP DLL.

  10. Just delete this key from registry:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
    (The whole “registry folder”).
    You can export it as a backup if you aren’t sure what are you doing.

    Thank me later.

  11. To George, I have no idea how I ended up here but almost 3 years later and that registry delete worked perfect. Everything else about explorer options to this PC just wrong, all wrong. This was the fix i needed. By the way CCleaner was culprit for me did one registry clean with it and it broke office, game launchers, adobe, and more. that app is pure snake oil.

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