Folder won’t open on Windows 10 File Explorer – Microsoft Community

I was trying to download some files and when I did this, I wasn’t allowed to access my Downloads folder. My computer uses a Windows 10 version, what can I do to fix this? It is a common problem that some users find out that they can’t open Downloads folder in Windows 10 computer, which means that they are unable to access the stuff they downloaded before.

This situation will certainly bring much inconvenience, and therefore should be fixed as soon as possible. However, resolving this problem and trying to fix can’t open Downloads folder in Windows 10 error isn’t easy unless you’re an expert with computers. And you could waste a lot of time using ineffective methods. To save your time we’ve gathered 5 of the top fixes so that you can repair the Downloads folder within the shortest time. The purpose of this built-in Windows utility is to scan all of the system files.

This scan will detect any corrupt, faulty, or missing system files that could cause issues with the Windows’ functionality. Step 1. Step 2. Type in the command “DISM. Step 3. This command will take much longer to run than the previous command. Step 4. Once the scan finishes, you’ll be shown a message if any corrupt files were repaired. Turn off the computer and back on to finalise the repair. Since the Downloads folder is created by the system, this command will detect if any underlying problems are affecting the folder.

It also automatically repairs the folder if necessary. Another fix you can try is restoring the Windows system. This will usually help fix can’t open Downloads folder in Windows 10 error if the problem arose after you updated Windows.

Even small updates can cause features to break and reverting to the previous version will fix anything that was broken as a result.

To use this solution, a Restore Point must be available. For some Windows updates the system will create them. However, this isn’t frequent and it’s ideal if users remember to create reliable Restore Points.

Hopefully, there is a point available in which case, follow these steps. Confirm that you are in the “System Protection” tab, and select the C: Drive. Click on “Configure” and ensure that the “Turn on System Protection” setting is currently active. Click “Apply” then “OK”. Navigate back to the System Properties window and now click the “System Restore…” button. Several restore points will be listed, select the most recent available point presumably right before you updated.

Step 5. Windows will walk you through the remaining steps with on-screen instructions. It’s worth mentioning that this doesn’t impact your personal files. Only system files will be restored so there’s no need to worry about losing personal data from using this Windows tool. Still can’t open Downloads Windows 10? The third fix we suggest trying is much simpler than the others so far. After you download any file, Windows takes the liberty of filtering it into a category — music, photos, videos, etc.

Certain folders, like the Pictures folder, are automatically set to optimize files as photos. At the top of the window, locate and right-click on “Downloads”, and select “Properties”.

Click on the “Customize” tab and under the “Optimize this folder for” option, click the drop-down menu and choose “General items”. Check the box “Also apply this template to all subfolders”, press the “Apply” button, and click “OK”. It may take a few minutes for this change to be applied to the Downloads folder and all of its contents. Afterwards, check if the folder is still inaccessible. This next fix will come as a surprise for most users. As a result, if even just one file has a corrupt thumbnail that doesn’t load properly, you could be blocked from opening Downloads.

Go to the “View” tab and observe the “Advanced settings” section. If the setting hasn’t already been turned on, enable “Always show icons, never thumbnails” by checking the box next to it. Click “Apply” and “OK”, then check whether or not the problem still occurs.

Using this method will stop thumbnails from loading when you want to open the Downloads folder. Thus, if a corrupt thumbnail is at the root of the error, showing the icons instead will let you regain access to the folder.

After trying these 4 fixes you’ll either have fixed the issue or you still can’t open Downloads folder in Windows But don’t worry, there is at least one effective way left. What you can do is to recover files from the inaccessible folder using a third-party data recovery tool: AnyRecover. As a powerful program which specializes in data loss issues, AnyRecover can handle almost any data problems arising in various scenarios: emptied trash, accidental data deletion, partition error, system crash, corrupted or formatted device, etc.

With it, you can retrieve data from the Downloads folder which is no longer accessible in an easy and fast way. Download AnyRecover, install it on your computer, and launch the program. Choose the file location of your Downloads folder, click “Start” to run scanning process. As the scan is running, you will be able to pause the scan, resume it later, or stop it completely.

The remaining time will be displayed as well. After the scan is done, browse all the files detected and preview the files that you want to recover. Then select what you want to get back and click “Recover” to retrieve the data.

This time you’d better choose a recovery location that is different from your Downloads folder. When you first notice that you can’t open Downloads in Windows 10, your best bet is to stop using your computer or at the very least, don’t download anything else. This will significantly reduce the risk of data loss until the issue is resolved. The next thing to do is recover any files you don’t want to lose. Taking the time to recover will reassure you that if any solution doesn’t go well, valuable files aren’t lost.

AnyRecover provides users with an effortless way of restoring files that would otherwise be lost forever, and it’s suitable for all data loss cases. Download Now Download Now. Hard Drive Recovery. Anonymous I was trying to download some files and when I did this, I wasn’t allowed to access my Downloads folder.

Fix 1. Run System File Checker. Fix 2. Restore Windows System. Fix 3. Optimize the Downloads Folder for General Items. Fix 4. Change View Settings. Tip Using this method will stop thumbnails from loading when you want to open the Downloads folder. Fix 5. Key features of AnyRecover Recover over types of file: photos, videos, audios, documents, emails, other media and non-media files. Get data back from any storage device as well as any location including Downloads folder. All-round and deep scan ensure high success rate.

Fast scanning and recovering speed; simple operating steps. Fully compatible with all versions of Windows systems, even the latest Windows Frial trial available: recover 8 files for free without size limitation. Tip This time you’d better choose a recovery location that is different from your Downloads folder. All rights reserved.

Fix File Explorer if it won’t open or start

The only programs I am able to open are simple built in programs like control panel and file explorer. I have tried everything i could think of: system restores, cleaning my PC, etc. I decided to just reset my PC to factory settings and I посетить страницу источник access my Setting application to источник cannot open folder windows 10.

I even managed to get it into Safe Mode and everything works fine in there but trying to reset gives me the error saying “There was an error reseting your PC. No changes were made. I really don’t know what I продолжение здесь do to fix this anymore, any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you! This thread is locked. You can follow the question or vote as helpful, but you cannot reply to this thread.

Threats include any threat of suicide, violence, or harm to another. Any content of an adult theme or inappropriate to a community web site. Any image, link, or discussion of nudity. Any behavior that is insulting, rude, vulgar, desecrating, or showing disrespect. Any behavior that appears to violate End user license agreements, including providing product keys or links to pirated software.

Unsolicited bulk mail or bulk advertising. Any link to or advocacy of virus, spyware, malware, or phishing sites. Any other inappropriate content or behavior as defined by the Terms of Use or Code cannot open folder windows 10 Conduct. Any image, link, or discussion related to child pornography, child nudity, or other child abuse or exploitation. You should try running the System File Checker to repair missing or corrupted system files.

This helps most of the time. Cannot open folder windows 10 to this article from Microsoftit contains every single details of running a SFC scan.

Microsoft – Back up and restore your PC. Was this reply helpful? 1/12819.txt No. Sorry this didn’t help. Thanks windows 2012 essentials setup controller free download your feedback.

Any other advice? Did your computer come with pre-installed windows 10? When you have started facing your problem? Details required : characters remaining Cancel Submit 5 people found this reply helpful.

Well, there’s something more. You computer needs the ability to run Windows You can your manufacturer’ website to know that windows 10 can really be installed on your system. Like this. But, it also said that if your computer can run windows 8 then it can run windows 10 too.

So I think your computer is good enough to run windows In that case, make sure your подробнее на этой странице installation drive has enough space left. Cannot open folder windows 10 had the same issue when I upgraded to windows Anniversary update.

I noticed that my windows installation drive’ space was running out I didn’t care. Cannot open folder windows 10 I noticed that Google Cannot open folder windows 10 black page problem when I tried to start it.

My system had been so slow. Then I noticed at windows installation drive, added a little more space to it. Since then, everything works fine. You know, windows is a resource hungry operating system. It need enough space and ram to be flawless. As for me, I still have 35 gigabytes free.

I am not saying that you have to do the same, you can just add some more space to it like 10 to 15 gigabytes. Create and format a hard disk partition – Microsoft article. I use the paid cannot open folder windows 10, but you can download the trail version and get your work done. Hope it helps. Let me know the results. I’ll look forward to cannot open folder windows 10 reply. When you understand, its science and when you don’t, its magic.

Details required : characters remaining Cancel Submit 6 people found this reply helpful. Alright, that is positive for you. You should try cannot open folder windows 10 sfc can in safe mode. Details required : нажмите для деталей remaining Cancel Submit 2 people found this reply helpful. Cannot open folder windows 10 where you want to search below Search Search the Community.

Search the community and support articles Windows Windows 10 Search Community member. I 1/6834.txt the same question Report abuse. Details required :. Cancel Submit. Previous Next. S M Mahmudul Hasan.

Let me know the results for further assistance. How satisfied are you with this reply? Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site. Should also have noted that I cannot run things as an administrator, whenever given the option the box never appears and the screen becomes a darker shade or grey. Thanks for the advice though I will give it a try through safe mode.

Answer-by-number: 1. What’s your PC model? If upgraded from another version, what that version was? It is a custom built desktop with a z87 Pro Asus motherboard, i quad core processor. My computer came with Windows 8. It was after an upgrade. Like this, But, it also said that if your computer can run windows 8 then it can run windows 10 too.

Here’s some article that describes how to partition your hard drive, 1. I have had Windows 10 for at least a читать больше now, I wrote my reply wrong i meant that it was after a windows update.

I also have GB of hardware space left on my main drive and 1. I was not able to make cannot open folder windows 10 partition because there was no unallocated space in the drive with Windows installed in it. However i still do have a lot of space left in it. I should also mention that everything works perfectly normal in Safe Mode if that gives any clues as to what is going on. This site in other languages x.

Cannot open folder windows 10

This can be either an account username, or a group of users on your PC. Groups include standard units like Administrators if you want all computer admins to own it , or Users for everyone to own it.

For home usage, it usually makes the most sense to assign ownership to one person. We assume that you want to take ownership of the folder with your own account, so type your username here. If you use a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows, your username is the first five letters of your email address.

Hit Check Names once you’re done to make sure it’s correct. Click OK. Back on the main Advanced window, you’ll notice a box at the bottom that starts with Replace all child object permission entries If you want your changes to apply to all folders inside the current one which you probably do in most cases , check this box.

Then hit OK twice, and you’re all done. When dealing with “access denied” errors, you should apply the above steps with care. Avoid taking ownership of folders in system directories like Windows , Program Files , Program Data , or similar. Doing so will weaken the security of your system, because normal accounts aren’t meant to be the owners of these directories. They contain important Windows folders that you shouldn’t touch. You can still get access to most of these folders by navigating to them in File Explorer.

You’ll have to confirm admin permissions, then you can take a look at them without becoming the owner. If taking ownership of a folder doesn’t work, or you’re an administrator trying to give permissions to someone else, you should next review what users have which permissions for the folder in question.

Pull up the same Security tab in a folder’s Properties box as before. At the top, you’ll see a list of users and groups on your PC.

Select an entry here, and the bottom panel will show what permissions they have for this folder. Hit the Edit button to change the permissions for each user as desired. As you’d expect, Full control gives a user or group complete power over the folder and everything inside. Read is the most restrictive option, as it only allows you to see what’s in the folder. See Microsoft’s page on file and folder permissions for a more detailed breakdown. Sometimes, your antivirus can get overzealous and end up messing with your ability to access files.

If you’ve confirmed that everything is correct with your file permissions after going through the above, you should consider checking your security tool next.

Take a look around your antivirus program’s settings and see if there’s an option like a file shield, ransomware protection, or similar.

Try disabling this and then attempt to access the file again. If the issue still persist, refer to the below method. Press Windows Key. Click on search bar. Right click on it and select Run as Administrator. Reply to us with the information, so that we can assist you better. How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site. I dunno why. In reply to A. User’s post on November 16, I have the same issue, with only 1 folder. And I have made no changes to the PC before this problem started the last thing I did change was over 6 months ago and had no problems with the OS until just the last few days. I also ran the first step above, again, no issues reported.

Argel Obm Microsoft Agent. In reply to ChrisF’s post on April 21, Hi Chris, For us to understand the concern, what is the name of the folder that you cannot open?

Hope to hear from you soon. In reply to Argel Obm’s post on April 21, Thanks for the quick response. I had a thought that this started happening after I tried using Firefox as my default browser can’t believe how terrible it performs these days.

But after the first time I opened the folder, it has gone back to not loading just says “Working on it. And yes, I did try opening in a new window, same result. I haven’t attempted to copy the contents to a thumb drive yet, will try that later. I created another folder and it’s sort of doing the same thing green bar never goes away.

But this time it displays the contents of the folder but won’t show the date the file was created on my system. Other than that there seems to be an issue with Explorer identifying. Nathaniel Mon Microsoft Agent. In reply to ChrisF’s post on April 30, Ensure that Adjust for best performance of is set to Programs. Under Virtual memory , select Change and make sure that Automatically manage paging file sizes for all drives is selected. On the taskbar, type disk cleanup in the search box.

Select Disk Cleanup from the results. Select the check box by each type of file. Select OK. On the View by menu, choose Large icons or Small icons. On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot. Then, on the Advanced Options screen, select Automated Repair. Help in File Explorer.

Find your documents in Windows. See your OneDrive files in File Explorer. Windows 10 Windows 11 More Here are some things to try if File Explorer won’t open. Optimize Advanced system settings, including virtual memory settings. Select Apply. Restart your PC.