Forum Discussion
W11 Black screen on Desktop. Explorer issue
Hello.
first post in this community as I am having a dreadful issue. I was transferring some files form a my PC to a smartphone and Explorer crashed, without warning.
I rebooted my PC and after the W11 Opening screen where you enter your password, I got stuck on a black screen.
My mouse was working and I could get to the Task Manager with my wireless keyboard too.
Looking at similar issues on the net, I believed that my System files got corrupted during the files transfer I was doing, lucky me.......
Anyway, I managed to open a CMD and get SFC/ scannow and the 3DISM commands to run fully.
I was optimistic it would fix the issue. It didn't.
If I open Task Manager I can see Explorer "running" but without any CPU activity. And trying to access the Exe location got me stuck at Not responding prompt.
what are my Options before a Windows reinstall?
I am on W11 PRO H2/2025 if that helps at all.
thanks so much
3 Replies
Like I have a whole profile, and in my account it says sign up? And shows me deals? But I'm getting subscription updates?
So how is it possible? That in my account it says I have to purchase a subscription, but then I'm getting subscription updates?
hi Tartanpion That’s a frustrating situation, but the fact that Task Manager, keyboard, and mouse still work is a good sign. This is almost certainly an Explorer shell failure, not a full OS collapse. Below are the realistic recovery options to try before reinstalling Windows—in the order that usually works in the real world.
Check below steps and try
Step 1: Try launching Explorer manually
From Task Manager → File → Run new task:
explorer.exe
If:
- Nothing happens → shell load issue
- Task appears briefly then dies → profile or extension problem
- Black screen remains → continue below
Step 2: Check the Shell registry key
Explorer depends on this registry value.
- Task Manager → File → Run new task
- Type:
regedit
- Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
\SOFTWARE
\Microsoft
\Windows NT
\CurrentVersion
\Winlogon
- Check Shell
It must be exactly:
explorer.exe
If you see anything else (blank, additional paths, malware remnants) → fix it
Close Regedit and rebootStep 3: Create a new local user (this often solves it)
This is the highest success-rate fix when Explorer won’t load.
From Task Manager → Run new task → cmd (Run as administrator)
net user testuser Temp123! /add
net localgroup administrators testuser /add
Reboot and log in as testuser.
If Explorer works:
Your original user profile is corrupted
You can migrate data from C:\Users\OldUser
No reinstall neededThis is extremely common after Explorer crashes during file transfers.
Step 4: Disable non-Microsoft shell extensions
Explorer may be hanging on a broken extension (phone drivers are frequent culprits).
If you can boot into Safe Mode and Explorer works there:
Confirms shell extension or driver issue
Once logged in:
• Uninstall phone sync software
• Uninstall OEM file transfer tools
• Uninstall 3rd-party context menu tools
• Reboot normallyIf Safe Mode also black screens, skip to Step 6.
Step 5: Reset graphics driver (often overlooked)
From the black screen, press:
Win + Ctrl + Shift + B
If the screen flashes or resets:
Explorer sometimes recovers immediately
If not, update/reinstall GPU driver once accessibleStep 6: System Restore (still valid on Windows 11)
If restore points exist, this can undo shell damage.
Task Manager → Run new task → cmd (admin)
rstrui.exe
Restore to before the file transfer incident.
Step 7: In-place repair (NOT a reinstall)
This keeps apps, files, and settings.
- Download Windows 11 ISO (same build or newer)
- Mount ISO
- Run setup.exe
- Choose Keep personal files and apps
This fixes Explorer, registry, and user shell issues without wiping anything.
