13 Fixes For File Explorer Not Showing Files Issue in Windows

File Explorer is the default option File Manager app in Windows OS and works great most of the time . However , many user face a plight in the app where File Explorer does n’t show files . Other topic include a forever - loading sieve or missing icons . Misconfigured File Explorer scope , glitched scheme services , and corrupted system files are the main reason behind this issue . Here ’s how you could fix File Explorer not display files on Windows .

Table of Contents

1. Check File Explorer Properties

first of all , mark off the File Explorer properties to curb the View configurations . Here ’s how :

1.Press theWindows cay + Eto get to the File Explorer .

2.press thethree dotsbutton .

Check File Explorer Properties

3.Click onOptions .

4.Switch to theViewtab . Select theShow hidden file cabinet , brochure , and drivesoption .

5.tap theApplybutton and then get through on theOKbutton .

Check File Explorer Properties

6 . Closethe Properties windowpane .

2. Restart Windows Explorer

If the Windows Explorer physical process glitches , it can give away many elements of theFile Explorerand other dependent apps . So , you must re-start the Windows Explorer process using Task Manager . Here ’s how :

1.Press theCtrl + Shift + Esckeys to start the Task Manager .

2.Right - tap theWindows Explorerprocess . Select theRestartoption .

Check File Explorer Properties

3 . Closethe Task Manager .

3. Tweak Windows Search Service

File Explorer uses the Windows Search service for subject indexing and search functionality . If this service is n’t working properly , you will face issues with File Explorer . Here ’s how to re-start the service :

1.Press theWindowskey , typeservices , and pressEnter .

2.Locate theWindows Searchservice and right - select it . Select theRestartoption .

Check File Explorer Properties

3 . Closethe Services window .

4. Clear Thumbnail Cache

An out-of-date or corrupt thumbnail cache can causeissues with File Explorer . you’re able to easy regurgitate this cache using the Disk Cleanup creature . Here ’s how :

1.Press theWindowskey , typecleanmgr , and press theRun as administratoroption .

2.press theOKbutton .

Restart Windows Explorer

3.Select theThumbnailscheckbox and tap theOKbutton .

4.tap theDelete Filesbutton .

5. Clear File Explorer History

render unclutter the File Explorer History to delete the cached entries and impel it to recreate everything . Here ’s how :

4.Find theClear File Explorer Historyoption . snap on theClearbutton .

6. Change Search Options

If File Explorer can not find certain types of files on your PC , you may change the lookup alternative in File Explorer . Here ’s how :

4.Switch to theFolderstab .

5.Select theAlways search filing cabinet name and contentscheck box to select it . Then penetrate on theApplybutton and sink in on theOKbutton .

7. Rebuild the Search Index

rebuild the search index will ram the PC to re - index all the files , thereby removing the corrupted entries from the database . Here ’s how to do it :

1.Press theWindows key + Rto undefendable theRun dialog box . Typecontrol /name Microsoft . IndexingOptionsand pressEnter .

2.select theAdvancedbutton .

3.Now , dawn on theRebuildbutton .

4.tap theOKbutton .

It will take a while to rebuild the index .

8. Run the Search and Indexing Troubleshooter

You must start the Search and indexing troubleshooter to name issues with file search and fix them mechanically . Here ’s how :

1.Press theWindows key + Rto subject theRun dialog box .

2.Typemsdt -ep WindowsHelp i d SearchDiagnosticin the textbook box . Then crusade theCtrl + Shift + Enterkeys at once .

3.press theNextbutton .

4.Wait for the troubleshooter to identify and fix issues . After that , exit the troubleshooter windowpane .

9. Update Windows

An outdated physique of Windows group O can curb bug that will be left unattended . So , you must on a regular basis upgrade your PC and instal the latest uncommitted update . Here ’s how :

1.Press theWindowskey , typeUpdatewindows , and pressEnter .

2.The utility will mechanically explore for the recent available update . press theDownload and installbutton .

3 . Restartyour personal computer to apply the update if prompt .

10. Reset All System Apps

you may try resetting all the system apps to fix this bothersome File Explorer issue . Here ’s how to do it usingPowerShell .

1.Open PowerShell with administrator privileges .

2.Type the following mastery and pressEnterto execute it :

3 . Closethe PowerShell window .

11. Run an SFC and DISM Scan

you could utilise the inbuilt DISM and SFC tools to fix the component store of Windows image and discover and fix crooked scheme file cabinet . Run both scans one after another :

1.Press theWindowskey , typecmd , and pressCtrl + faulting + Enterkeys at once .

2.The User Account Control window will afford . tap theYesbutton .

Clear File Explorer History

3.Type the follow program line and pressEnter :

4.After that , execute the following command :

5.Wait for the scan to make out and reset your PC .

12. Use System Restore

System Restore can work wonders when every other troubleshooting method acting fail . If one or more restore point exist , it can revert your PC to a point in time when everything work out as destine . Here ’s how :

1.Press theWindowskey , typerstrui , and pressEnter .

2.select theNextbutton . nibble a restore point and apply it on your PC .

Your PC will re-start during this process .

13. Perform an In-Place Upgrade

The last solution is an in - plaza upgrade which will help you reinstall Windows OS without lose your personal data and apps . It is much better than asystem resetwhich does n’t preserve your installed apps . Here ’s how to do it :

1.Download theWindows ISOfile .

2.Mount the downloaded ISO file by double - clicking on it . launch the mounted ISO file and press thesetup.exefile .

3.The User Account Control windowpane will pop up . chatter on theYesbutton .

4.tap theNextbutton .

5.Now , select theAcceptbutton to concord to the EULA .

6.Select theKeep personal files and appsoption . Then , get across on theNextbutton .

Fix File Explorer Issues

These were the method to correct the File Explorer not showing files effect on Windows OS . lead off by changing the File Explorer attribute , restarting Windows Explorer , and clearing out the thumbnail memory cache . After that , deepen search selection , reconstruct the hunt index number , and use the troubleshooter to repair the issue . last , use an in - place upgrade to reinstall Windows without losing your file .