Enable Separate Process for Windows 11 File Explorer

This article explains how to enable or disable the File Explorer feature that launches folder windows in a separate process in Windows 11.

Windows File Explorer is a file manager application that is included in the Microsoft Windows operating system. A graphical user interface lets you view, copy, move, delete, and rename files and folders and organize them hierarchically.

In Windows, each process is assigned a unique ID called the process ID (PID), which identifies the process. It is suitable for debugging purposes.

By default, all File Explorer windows, including the desktop shell, operate within a single explorer.exe process. If one of these File Explorer windows becomes unresponsive or crashes, it will cause all other File Explorer windows running in the same process to hang or crash until the process is restarted.

To avoid all File Explorer windows running under the same process ID, you can enable a feature that launches folder windows in separate processes in Windows 11.

Launch a File Explorer folder with a separate process

As mentioned, users can enable a feature in File Explorer to launch each window with a separate process so one window can’t bring down other processes running unique windows.

Here’s how to do it.

First, open the File Explorer Folder Options.

Then, 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

Another way to enable or disable launching File Explorer windows in a separate process is to use the Windows Registry Editor.

Remember to back up your registry before making any changes or create a System Restore point as a precaution.

First, 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.

Double-click SeparateProcess and change the value 1 to enable launching windows in a separate process in File Explorer.

Enter 0 to disable the feature.

You may have to reboot your computer to apply the changes.

That should do it!

Conclusion:

Enabling or disabling the File Explorer feature to launch folder windows in a separate process can enhance your file management experience in Windows 11. Here are the 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.