How do I reinstall Windows 10 File Explorer?

I want to uninstall Windows 10 File Explorer, then reinstall it. How do I accomplish this task?

Motivation: Every time I navigate to my C:\Users\MyUserID\OneDrive - Business\Documents\ directory two things happen:

  1. The C:\Users\MyUserID\OneDrive - Business\Documents\ folder is opened in my current instance of File Explorer.
  2. An additional File Explorer occurrence spawns with the following path; C:\Users\MyUserID\OneDrive - Business\ (one level up from the previous directory).

Action #2 above is unwanted, and I just close the window (constantly). This #2 behavior started after I installed One Drive. I can't find any way to disable action #2 above either. Uninstalling and reinstalling OneDrive didn't help.

With most things Windows it seems the only solution is to uninstall, then reinstall. But is it even possible with File Explorer?

3

1 Answer

I tried for over a year to fix a bug like this (and could not). I reinstalled (over the top, not fresh) windows, did SFC /scannow.. etc etc.

For me, it appeared to be a problem somewhere in HKCU because if I logged in as another user, it didn't happen. I am betting that it is a rogue shell extension.

I eventually found the following batch file and added a few lines of my own.

It would make the problem go away for a while.. until it came back. Then I would run it again.

It might help you.

`

@echo off
::kill explorer.exe
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
:: To reset folder view settings of all folders
Reg Delete "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU" /F
Reg Delete "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags" /F
Reg Delete "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags" /F
Reg Delete "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\BagMRU" /F
Reg Delete "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU" /F
Reg Delete "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags" /F
Reg Delete "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags" /F
Reg Delete "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU" /F
:: To reset "Apply to Folders" views to default
Reg Delete "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Streams\Defaults" /F
:: To reset size of details, navigation, preview panes to default
Reg Delete "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Modules\GlobalSettings\Sizer" /F
Reg Delete "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Modules\NavPane" /v ExpandedState /F
:: restart explorer
start explorer.exe

`

2

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