File Explorer is missing/inaccessible

Owned by KARYN O'DELL
Last updated: Feb 08, 2021
2 min read

Problem:

In computers running Windows 10, File Explorer can't be found in the task bar, Start menu, or via Windows search.

Show File Explorer in Windows Start Menu:

If the File Explorer icon is in your Start Menu, this is what it looks like:

(collapsed view)

 (expanded view)

 

If you do not see that icon listed and you would like to:

  1. Right-click in any open space on your Task Bar

  2. Left-click Taskbar settings

  3. Select Start in the left column

  4. Left-click Choose which folders appear on Start

  5. Toggle File Explorer to On

  6. Close window. The File Explorer icon should now appear in the Start Menu.

Find and Pin File Explorer to the Star Menu or Taskbar:

There are three ways to find File Explorer. If any of these do not work, move onto the next:

From the Start Menu:

  1. Left-click the Start button in the bottom left hand corner of Windows or hit the Windows key on your keyboard

  2. Find File Explorer in the start menu

  3. Right-click and choose Pin to Start, or select More and then Pin to taskbar

From Search:

  1. Click the magnifying glass or search field in the taskbar

  2. Search for File Explorer (don't hit Enter if the search result is found automatically)

  3. Right-click the File Explorer result and choose Pin to Start or Pin to taskbar

From the Right-Click Start Menu:

  1. Right-click the Start button

  2. Left-click File Explorer

  3. Once File Explorer is open, it will show up on the taskbar as an open program. Right-click that icon and select Pin to taskbar