One of the longest and most frequent problems that can occur with a Windows PC is that of windows that close by themselves, meaning windows for both open folders and programs. This type of error always comes up due to software on the computer (which can be a virus or even a normal program) that has ruined or deleted some system files causing a conflict or bug so serious as to make Windows almost unusable.
The clearest and final solution for this problem is surely the reinstallation of Windows, but first it would be better to try to solve it since Microsoft provides us with all the tools to do it.
When the folder windows close themselves by mistake and stop working, the fault lies with the Explorer.exe process, which is one of the pillars of Windows.
If this process stops and does not respond, all Windows Explorer windows stop becoming impossible to manage.
In some cases Explorer.exe closes on its own carrying all open windows, including those of some programs.
1) Virus scan
First of all you need to be sure that your PC is not infected with viruses that could be causing the problem.
As already written in the guide to find out if there is a virus, you must first download and use the rKill tool and then the Malwarebytes antivirus scanner.
2) Control of running programs
The problem with windows closing can be caused by a program that interferes with Windows Explorer.
If you have some experience and want to learn, I recommend using the guide to MSConfig, the best tool that Windows offers to solve problems, to find out what the culprit is.
If you prefer an easier way, you can use Ccleaner and its startup management tool, even if it may not be equally effective.
3) SFC
In the event that there are no anomalies of viruses and unpacked programs, it is appropriate to perform the error check with SFC.
Windows SFC is a command line tool that allows you to restore original system files.
To work, SFC may require (not always) to insert the original Windows DVD (see here how to download the disc of each Windows version).
Then open the command prompt in administrator mode (from the Start menu in Windows 7 or by pressing the Windows-X keys on Win8 and Windows 10) and write the command:
SFS / scannow
Press Enter.
Wait and hope that this restoration of the original files will solve every problem.
4) Other Windows user
Often a Windows error occurs for one user and not for others.
Then follow the guide on how to reset the PC by creating a new user.
If everything works fine with the new user, it will be convenient to transfer, step by step and not all at once, the various files from the old user profile to the new one.
User folders are located, in Windows 7, 8 and 10, under the path C: / Users
5) System Restore
If up until a few days ago everything worked fine, a system restore is worth trying.
To find out how, refer to the Windows restore guide.
6) Windows restore and reset
If we have Windows 8 or Windows 10 we can use the tool that reinstalls Windows from scratch, without however deleting any files.
We have explained in other articles how to reset Windows 10 and what it means and how to reinitialize and restore Windows 8.1.
If your PC has Windows 7, you can do the same thing even if it is a little less automatic.
We explained the procedure in another article on how to restore or reinstall Windows without losing personal files and settings.
Finally, I refer to another article where I had already covered the topic with other solutions when Explorer.exe crashes and stops working .
