File explorer keeps opening new windows

That's frustrating! There are a few possible reasons why your File Explorer might be opening new windows repeatedly. Let's troubleshoot together to find the cause and fix the issue.

Possible causes:

  1. Malware or viruses: Malware can cause File Explorer to behave erratically, including opening new windows repeatedly.
  2. Conflicting software: Some software might be interfering with File Explorer's normal behavior.
  3. Registry issues: Corrupted registry entries can cause File Explorer to malfunction.
  4. System settings: Incorrect system settings or configurations might be causing the issue.

Troubleshooting steps:

  1. Restart your computer: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve the issue.
  2. Check for malware: Run a full scan with your antivirus software to detect and remove any malware.
  3. Disable recently installed software: If you've installed new software recently, try disabling it to see if it's causing the issue.
  4. Reset File Explorer settings: Try resetting File Explorer's settings to their default values:
    • Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
    • Type explorer.exe /reset and press Enter.
  5. Check for corrupted system files: Run the System File Checker (SFC) tool to scan and repair corrupted system files:
    • Press the Windows key + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).
    • Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
  6. Update Windows: Ensure your Windows operating system is up to date, as updates often include bug fixes and improvements.
  7. Check for corrupted registry entries: Use the built-in Windows tool, System File Checker (SFC), to scan and repair corrupted registry entries:
    • Press the Windows key + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).
    • Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
  8. Reset Windows Explorer: If none of the above steps work, you can try resetting Windows Explorer:
    • Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
    • Type taskkill /im explorer.exe and press Enter.
    • Wait for a few seconds, then type explorer.exe and press Enter to restart File Explorer.

Additional tips:

I hope these troubleshooting steps help you resolve the issue with File Explorer opening new windows repeatedly.