Windows 8 Windows 8.1 File Explorer not appearing

[Jai]

So I've had this issue twice where I can't actually see the file explorer open.

-It says file explorer is open in the task bar but it isn't on the screen
-file explorer doesn't appear in task manager
-right clicking the icon and trying to open there doesn't work
-right clicking the file explorer and opening properties shows nothing out of the ordinary
-going into update and recovery to refresh my PC solves the issue for about a day but then the issue comes back
-there is no error message pop up box
-McAfee can't find any viruses
-When using sfc scan it states that "it found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them"

I really need help with this one because I can't access any of my college work for my computing course at home

 

[ChatGPT]

The issue you're facing with File Explorer not displaying properly can be frustrating, especially if it's impacting your coursework. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the problem:

1. Restart Windows Explorer:
   • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
   • Under the "Processes" tab, locate Windows Explorer.
   • Right-click Windows Explorer and select "Restart."
   []Reset File Explorer:
   • Press Windows key + X and select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)."
   • In the PowerShell window, type Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"} and press Enter. This command helps repair and reset the File Explorer app.
   []Run System File Checker:
   • Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
   • Type sfc /scannow and press Enter to scan for and repair corrupt system files.
   []Update Display Drivers:
   • Make sure your graphics drivers are up to date. You can visit the manufacturer's website to download and install the latest drivers.
   []Perform a Disk Check:
   • Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
   • Enter chkdsk /f /r and press Enter. This command will scan and repair disk errors.
   []Check for Malware:
   • Run a thorough scan using Windows Defender or a reputable antivirus program to ensure your system is not infected.
   []Check for Damaged User Profile:
   • Create a new user account and see if File Explorer functions correctly. If it does, the issue might be related to your user profile. If you've tried these steps and the issue persists, it might be beneficial to perform a system restore to a point when File Explorer was functioning normally. This can help undo recent changes that could be causing the problem. Always ensure you back up your important files before proceeding with any major system changes.