Restart Explorer Context Menu

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Restart Explorer Context Menu — Check out the Repository on GitHub for the Latest Download.

What Does the Registry File Do?

The Restart_Explorer_Context_Menu.reg file adds a new option to the Windows context menu when you right-click on the desktop background. This option, labeled "Restart Explorer," allows you to quickly restart the Windows Explorer process.

• Registry Key Added: It creates entries under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\Restart Explorer to define the menu item.
• Icon: Sets an icon for the menu item using %SystemRoot%\System32\imageres.dll,-3.
• Command: Under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\Restart Explorer\command, it specifies the action to be performed. The command runs cmd.exe to forcefully terminate the explorer.exe process and then restart it.

This is useful for troubleshooting or refreshing the Explorer interface without rebooting your system.

Instructions

Installation

In the repo, find the latest release and download the Restart_Explorer_Context_Menu.reg file

Launch it, then right click the desktop, (Or Shift Right Click if you have the modern context menu). Select Restart Explorer

Uninstallation

Need to remove? Just run the Uninstall_Restart_Explorer_Context_Menu.reg file to remove.