If Windows 10 apps are showing the Windows cannot find message, resetting the apps is one of the best resolutions.

Reregistering an app is a little like reinstalling it as that deletes app data, but you don’t need to install it again. You can reset Windows 10 apps as follows.

Can’t open Task Manager? Don’t worry, we’ve got the right solution for you.

Reregistering Windows 10 apps with PowerShell will reset all the default apps bundled with the platform. If you need to reregister new apps you’ve installed, you can do so via Settings.

Each listed app has a Reset button that you can press to reregister it as outlined below.

3.2 Reset the apps

1. Press the Start button, and then click the Settings icon.
2. Click Apps to open the app list in the snapshot directly below.
3. Select an app to reset.
4. Click Advanced options to open the app’s Reset option.
5. Press the Reset button, and click Reset again, to reregister the selected app.

4. Open the Microsoft Store App Troubleshooter

1. Press the Win key + I keyboard shortcut to open Settings.
2. Click Update & Security and select Troubleshoot to open a list of troubleshooters as shown below.
3. Select the Windows Store App troubleshooter, and press its Run the troubleshooter button.
4. Press the Next button to go through the troubleshooter‘s resolutions.

The Microsoft Store App troubleshooter might also help fix the Windows cannot find error you are facing. Use the above procedure in that regard.

If the Troubleshooter stops before completing the process, fix it with the help of this complete guide.

4. Rename EXE Files

1. Browse to the folder location of the program that’s showing the error in File Explorer. If the software has a desktop shortcut, you can right-click that icon and select Open file location.
2. Select the program’s EXE in File Explorer, and press the F2 key.
3. Then enter another title for the file, and press the Return key.

The Windows cannot find error can also occur for programs that aren’t Store apps. Then the error message will also include a path for the specific software you’re trying to open.

A particular error is followed by the message Windows cannot find c:program make sure you typed the name correctly. Renaming EXE files is one resolution for errors that include software paths.

Those are a few resolutions that can fix the Windows cannot find error for File Explorer, apps , and other desktop software. Check out this post for further details on how you can fix Windows 10 apps that aren’t opening.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.

The above solutions may be applied in multiple scenarios users face the days:

1. Download this PC Repair Tool rated Great on TrustPilot.com (download starts on this page).
2. Click Start Scan to find Windows issues that could be causing PC problems.
3. Click Repair All to fix issues with Patented Technologies (Exclusive Discount for our readers).

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• Windows cannot find. Make sure you typed the name correctly – Users report getting the simple Windows cannot find message or the one that states Windows cannot find. Make sure you typed the name correctly.
• Windows cannot find. Make sure you typed the name correctly and then try again – That’s another variation of the same core issue. In any case, the above solutions work like a charm.
• Windows cannot find file – Even if you are using Windows 10 licensed, chances are you’ll encounter this error sooner or later. Try booting your computer in Safe mode or use Microsoft’s Security Scanner.
• Windows cannot find filename.exe – If that’s the issue you are dealing with, don’t hesitate to rename the EXE file.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Windows cannot find error mean?

There are times when the error message shows up when you try to open File Explorer, so select File Explorer’s This PC option and get rid of it for good, as detailed in this quick guide.

When does Windows cannot find error show up?

Plenty of users report that they have received the same error message when opening an application. We have an excellent error to fix the Windows cannot find error.

What does it mean when Windows cannot access the specified device path or file?

When getting this error message, it usually means that the file is blocked by Windows. Here’s what to do if Windows cannot access the specified device path or file.

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on my system the problem turned out to be a change in permissions probably caused by a w10 update. Admin accounts were denied access to user account files. So if a user downloaded a new app and ran the install pgm, the after entering the pw into the User Account Control the pgm could not be found. Solution: share the folder with the Admin (or Everyone).

1) Already set to “This PC”
2) “this file doesn’t have an app associated with it…” (it is there though)
3) “There was a problem and this can’t continue”
4) Wouldn’t let me rename
Basically my computer can’t find many exe filetypes even when I’m literally double-clicking (or right-click, open) on them.

This problem started after a PC shutdown during a forced Windows update. I had no idea it was updating, there was no indication on the screen whatsoever, looked like screen was frozen. I gave it a few minutes and still appeared frozen (just a dark screen with no text, loading bar or any sort of motion, just a solid color screen and nothing else). There really needs to be some sort of indication that an update is being forced.

I tried to reinstall the Windows 10 OS and it doesn’t allow me to go through with that either. It lets me run the command prompt, but not as administrator, so I don’t know if there is something (maybe in safe mode) that I can type in cmd prompt that will fix this issue?

I’m also unable to install Windows updates. These latest updates failed:

1) 2019-06 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1803 for x64-based Systems (KB4503286) – Error 0x8007007e

2) 2019-06 Security Update for Adobe Flash Player for Windows 10 Version 1803 for x64-based Systems (KB4503308) – Error 0x8007007e

The “retry” option never works and the troubleshooter doesn’t help. I’ve already tried manually downloading the windows update files linked from some troubleshooter. The downloads worked, just not the installation.

I tried “retry” again and it added a 3rd failed update:

3) 2019-02 Update for Windows 10 Version 1803 for x64-based Systems (KB4346084) – Error 0x8007007e

Thank you very much for your comment. We are glad our guide helped you. Don’t forget to come back on our site for more news and fixes.

Windows cannot find explorer.exe [8 fixes that really work]

• Windows may fail to find or read the explore.exe file and throw this Windows cannot find explorer.exe error. This error leads to system crashes, BSOD, black screen and missing taskbar.
• One of the common causes of Windows cannot find explorer.exe error is the possibility of virus infection. The virus may disable the filexplorer.exe file altogether to prevent the user from accessing the local drive thus saving itself from being deleted.
• There are plenty of other File Explorer problems but if you have another one, you can find a solution in our Fix File Explorer errors hub
• Most of our articles focus on Windows 10 errors since they are pre predominant cause of distress for the users. Check our Windows 10 errors hub to find solutions for any such problems.

1. Download Restoro PC Repair Tool that comes with Patented Technologies (patent available here).
2. Click Start Scan to find Windows issues that could be causing PC problems.
3. Click Repair All to fix issues affecting your computer’s security and performance

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File Explorer is one of the most frequently used tools by any Windows user. Unless you are good with Command prompt, File Explorer is the way to go.

However, at times Windows may fail to find or read the explore.exe file and throw this Windows cannot find explorer.exe error.

This error leads to system crashes, BSOD, black screen and missing taskbar.

What causes Windows cannot find explorer.exe errors?

There is no specific reason why you may see this error on your Windows PC. In fact, different users had given different reasons when this error first popped up on the screen.

Some users have reported that the error only appears if an administrator or the new user tries to access the account.

Others have reported the error to be random and appear on PCs that were not in use for an extended period.

An external peripheral device can also cause this error.

If Windows fails to recognize any of your external peripheral devices like a keyboard or mouse and if the device creates conflict with the explorer.exe file you may end up with this error.

Another reason for Windows cannot find explorer.exe error could be a virus-infected PC or file corruption. You may also face this error while trying to access Desktop properties function.

It is also possible that you or someone else may have accidentally deleted the explorer.exe file resulting in this error.

How can I fix Windows cannot find explorer.exe errors?

Depending on whether your PC has a hardware issue or infected with a virus, there are multiple solutions to this problem.

In this article, I have listed all the possible solutions to fix this error on Windows. Here they are:

Solution 1: Check your computer for Virus Infection

One of the common causes of Windows cannot find explorer.exe error is the possibility of virus-infected PC.

The virus may disable the filexplorer.exe file altogether to prevent the user from accessing the local drive thus saving itself from being deleted.

We have a detailed guide on the best antivirus software you can use on Windows PC. Follow the guide to download the best antivirus in case you don’t have one already installed.

If you are in a hurry, download Malwarebytes antivirus and scan the PC.

If you have an antivirus installed, scan the PC for a potential virus. If found, quarantine the virus and restart your PC. Some traces of virus may remain even after removing the file.

After removing the virus, check the report in your Antivirus program and find the location where the virus was installed.

Navigate to the location and delete any file and folder associated with the virus.

Solution 2: Manually Start Explorer.exe from Task Manager

You can try to restart the explorer.exe process manually from the task manager.

You can open the task manager by right-clicking on the Taskbar and Start button. If these options are inaccessible, do the following.

1. Press Control + Alt + Delete key on your keyboard. From the options, click on Task Manager to open it.

Or

2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

3. From the Task Manager window, click on File and select Run a New Task option.

4. Type explorer.exe and check the option Create this task with administrative privilege and click OK.

This will run the explorer.exe process. In a few seconds, you should see the File Explorer window and get it to work again.

If that didn’t work, try the following steps.

1. After running a scan for Virus infection, open the Task Manager.
2. Click on File > Run a new Task.
3. In the Task Runner, type C:Windows and hit enter.
   
4. Now search for Explorer.exe file. Right-click on Explorer.exe and select Run as Administrator.
   
   

Wait for a few seconds, and the Windows File Explorer should start working again.

Solution 3: Change File Explorer Options

You can tweak the preference in File Explorer Options to fix the Windows cannot find explorer.exe error in Windows. Here is how to do it.

1. In the Cortana/Search bar type, File Explorer Options and open it from the result.
2. In the General tab, click the drop button for Open File Explorer to: and select Quick Access. If the option is already set to Quick Access, set it to This PC.
   
3. Click OK and then Apply to save the changes.

Now try to open the File Explorer to see whether the error is resolved or not.

Run a System Scan to discover potential errors

Solution 4: Run System File Checker Sfc / Scannow

Windows 10 comes with a built-in system file checker tool that scans the PC for missing or corrupt system files and replaces it with fresh system files from the local drive.

Here is how to run the System File Checker tool on Windows.

Open Command Prompt as admin. To do this, click Search / Cortana bar and type cmd. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

Press Windows Key + R. Type cmd but don’t hit enter yet. After typing cmd, press Ctrl + Shit and hit enter. This will open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges.

In the Command Prompt enter the following command and hit enter:

Sfc /scannow

Now the System File Checker will scan and check for the corrupted or missing files and fix them. If Filexplorer.exe file has been altered in any way, this scan should fix it.

Solution 5: Delete Explorer keys from the Registry Editor

You can try to fix the problem by deleting two key entries from the Registry Editor. Here is how to do it.

Note: Before making any changes to the Registry Editor, it is recommended that to create a Restore Point using the guide. Proceed with the below steps after the Restore Point is created.

Press Windows Key + R. Type regedit and hit enter.

In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path. You can copy and paste this path in the registry editor for easier navigation.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options

Under this key, you will find two subkeys named Explorer.exe and iexplorer.exe. Delete both the keys completely.

Next, you need to navigate to the following path in the registry editor.

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Click on Winlogon key and from the right pane and look for an entry named Shell.

Double click on Shell. Under its Value Data: You should see explorer.exe. If there are other entries apart from explorer.exe in the field, highlight and delete them.

Close the Registry Editor and restart the PC.

Upon restart, you should be able to access the File Explorer without any error.

Solution 6: Restore PC using Restore Point

Windows PCs automatically create Restore Points in your local drive. These Restore Points consist of a working image of your Windows System that can be restored in case of file corruption or system crash.

Here is how to use Restore Point to fix Filexplore.exe not found error in Windows.

1. In the Cortana/Search bar, type Restore, and select Create a Restore Point from the result.
   
2. Next, click on the System Restore button.
3. In the System Restore Window, you will see two options. Select Choose a different restore point and click Next.
   
   
4. Next, check the Show more restore points option. This will show all the Restore Points in your system.
5. Select one of the Restore Points and click on Scan for affected programs. This will display all the programs that will be installed/reinstalled during the restoration process.
6. Click Finish to initiate the process.

Wait for the System Restore process to complete. The PC will automatically restart possibly fixing your problem.

Solution 7: Check your External Peripheral devices

At times, an incompatible peripheral device can cause the explorer.exe related error on Windows.

Begin by removing all the external devices connected to your PC like the USB drive, USB dongle for Bluetooth device, USB mouse, keyboard, external hard drive, webcam, etc.

Restart your PC after removing all the devices and see if the error is resolved.

Solution 8: Perform a clean install

If none of the above solutions work for you, you may try to clean install Windows.

Doing so, you will able to install the latest version of Windows but also lose all the installed programs on your PC.

Make sure you create a complete backup of your data before proceeding with the clean install.

To clean install Windows, you need installation media. You can create a Bootable USB flash drive using Windows ISO. Follow the guide for more instructions.

Conclusion

The Windows cannot find explorer.exe error can occur due to several reasons. Prime reasons being virus infection and system file corruption.

Follow the solution given in this article, and you should be able to fix the problem on your computer.

1. Download this PC Repair Tool rated Great on TrustPilot.com (download starts on this page).
2. Click Start Scan to find Windows issues that could be causing PC problems.
3. Click Repair All to fix issues with Patented Technologies (Exclusive Discount for our readers).

Restoro has been downloaded by 0 readers this month.

Let us know which of these solutions helped you fix the problem or if you have a new fix in the comments.