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Windows File Explorer Crashes on Right-Click: 5 Ways to Fix

Third-party applications are the most common cause for this issue

4 min. read

Updated onJuly 11, 2024

updated onJuly 11, 2024

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When Windows Explorer crashes on right click you won’t be able to use your context menu at all. This can be quite limiting since you won’t be able to open certain file types quickly.

In some rare cases, you won’t be able to use the context menu at all and you’ll lose access to basic Windows functions. However, there are ways to fix this problem permanently.

Why does Explorer crash when I right-click on a file?

In most cases, third-party apps and their context menu extensions cause this issue. Sometimes a missing update or a system glitch can be responsible for this problem as well.

How do I fix a Windows Explorer that crashes on a right-click?

Before getting into the software troubleshooting, be sure to check for the latest updates since they can often fix these kinds of issues.

1. Disable third-party shell extensions

Users reported issues with the following apps: PicoPDFEditingSoftware.exe, NVIDIA CPL Context Menu Extension, Virtual Clone Drive, and Foxit phantom PDF.

2. Remove any recently installed applications

In most cases, the problems are caused by the same applications from the previous solution.

3. Use the command line to modify the registry

4. Use a third-party file manager

When File Explorer crashes by right-clicking, you’ll need to install one third-party software that can manage your files instead of the built-in tool.

This tool can view and manage all of your installed software and files. So not only will this app help you drastically, but it is also straightforward to use and doesn’t require any previous experience.

The interface is self-explanatory and simplistic, giving you a minimalist look while helping you find your files quickly. Finding relevant data has never been easier with this excellent app.

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5. Perform in-place upgrade

Why does Windows Explorer keep crashing?

There are several reasons, the most common being system corruption, your settings, or missing updates. We covered this issue in ourFile Explorer crashing in Windows 11guide, so be sure to check it out.

All the solutions we listed above work if Windows Explorer crashes on right-click. In most cases, this issue is caused by third-party apps, so you might have to disable or remove them.

You might also be interested in our guide on what to do ifFile Explorer is slow on Windowsor ifFile Explorer is freezing.

Do let us know which of our solutions helped you fix the problem with the File Explorer app in the comments section below.

Windows File Explorer Crashes on Right-Click: 5 Ways to Fix#

How do I fix a Windows Explorer that crashes on a right-click?#

1. Disable third-party shell extensions#

2. Remove any recently installed applications#

3. Use the command line to modify the registry#

4. Use a third-party file manager#

5. Perform in-place upgrade#

Why does Windows Explorer keep crashing?#