How to Enable Separate Process for Windows 11 File Explorer
You can prevent Windows 11 File Explorer freezes from crashing your entire desktop by enabling separate processes for each File Explorer window.
File Explorer is the built-in application that lets you navigate and manage files and folders on your Windows PC. Running each instance in its own process isolates issues, so one frozen window won’t bring down everything else.
By default, all your File Explorer windows share a single process, `explorer.exe`. If one window hangs, the entire `explorer.exe` process might stop responding, forcing a restart.
Enabling this setting assigns a unique Process ID (PID) to each File Explorer window. This makes your file management more stable and easier to troubleshoot if a problem occurs.
Enable separate processes for File Explorer by opening Folder Options, clicking the View tab, and checking “Launch folder windows in a separate process.” This prevents one crashed window from affecting others.
Launch a File Explorer folder with a separate process
You can make each File Explorer window run separately in Windows 11 by changing a simple setting in the Folder Options.
Here’s how to do it.
- Open the File Explorer Folder Options.
- Click on the View tab.
- Check the box next to “Launch folder windows in a separate process” to enable it . To disable it , uncheck the box .
- Click OK to save your changes and exit.
Launch File Explorer window in a separate process using Windows Registry Editor
For those comfortable with advanced settings, you can also set up Windows 11 File Explorer to run each window in a separate process using the Registry Editor.
Before you dive into the Registry Editor, it’s a good idea to back up your registry or create a System Restore point.
- Open the Windows Registry and navigate to the folder key path below.
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced - Right-click Advanced > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value and name the new DWORD SeparateProcess.
- ⚠️ ADMIN PRIVILEGES REQUIRED — Double-click SeparateProcess and change the value to 1 to enable launching windows in a separate process in File Explorer.
- Enter 0 to disable the feature.
Sometimes, you’ll need to restart your computer for the changes to stick.
That should do it!
Summary
Turning on separate processes for Windows 11 File Explorer windows means if one window freezes, the others will keep working fine, preventing the whole application from crashing.
What happens when done? Each File Explorer window runs on its own. If one window stops responding, the others keep working normally.
Key points to remember:
- Process Isolation: Launching folder windows in separate processes prevents one unresponsive window from crashing others.
- Easy Configuration: You can easily change this setting through the File Explorer Folder Options or the Windows Registry Editor.
- Backup Precaution: Always back up your registry or create a System Restore point before making changes to the registry.
- Enhanced Stability: This feature can improve stability and responsiveness when navigating files and folders.
- Reboot Required: Changes may require a reboot, ensuring the settings are applied correctly.
Should I enable launch folder Windows in a separate process?
The main reason I’d suggest turning this on is so that if you have a folder window open which stops responding, and you close it, it won’t take the main explorer.exe with it. This means your desktop won’t be inaccessible while Windows restarts it.
How to split File Explorer in 🪟 Windows 11?
In the archive settings window, you’ll see an option called ‘split to volume bytes.’ Here, type the size you want for each chunk. For instance, if you want smaller files of 100 megabytes, type ‘100m’.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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