Folders can't be opened from other programs

Eric 0 Reputation points
2026-10-10T16:55:46.4866667+00:00

When I try to open up a folder form another program (such as "Browse Local Files" on Steam), nothing happens. No errors, no nothing. I can use explorer normally otherwise. I have tried other explorer alternatives, but they do not work either.

I have reset the explorer/folder settings in the control panel and have tried both sfc /scannow and DISM. Killing and restarting explorer.exe does not work either.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage
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  1. Hendrix-V 19,940 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-10-11T05:20:58.3966667+00:00

    Hi Eric,

    Since you can open folders normally in File Explorer, but applications such as Steam cannot launch them, this appears specifically related to handing a folder-opening request from another program.

    As a quick isolation test, please try:

    1. Create a new local Windows account.
    2. Sign into the new account.
    3. Open Steam and test Browse Local Files again.

    If it works, this points toward something in the original Windows user profile. If not, the problem is likely system-wide.

    Hope this helps isolate where the problem is coming from.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-10-10T16:56:04.0633333+00:00

    Since sfc /scannow, DISM, resetting folder options, and restarting explorer.exe were already tried, use the remaining Windows-supported File Explorer recovery steps:

    1. Install pending Windows updates
      Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates. Install all available updates and restart.
    2. Restart the PC even if no update requires it
      This helps complete any pending update or shell-related change.
    3. Run the System Maintenance troubleshooter as administrator
      • Open Control Panel
      • Set View by to Large icons or Small icons
      • Select Troubleshooting > View all > System Maintenance
      • Select Next > Try troubleshooting as an administrator
        Review and apply any fixes it finds.
    4. Check and correct advanced performance and paging settings
      • Open Control Panel
      • Go to System and Security > System > Advanced system settings
      • On the Advanced tab, under Performance, select Settings > Advanced
      • Confirm Adjust for best performance of is set to Programs
      • Under Virtual memory, select Change and make sure Automatically manage paging file sizes for all drives is selected
      • Select OK, then Apply, then restart the PC
    5. Run Disk Cleanup
      • Search for Disk Cleanup
      • Select a drive and choose OK
      • Select the file types to remove
      • Select OK
        Be careful not to remove anything still needed from the Recycle Bin.
    6. Run Startup Repair
      If the issue still persists:
      • Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security
      • Select Recovery
      • Under Advanced startup, select Restart now
      • Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair
      • Choose the account and enter the password
    7. If File Explorer still does not behave reliably, reset the PC
      Microsoft lists reset as a final recovery step when File Explorer will not open or start.

    These steps are the supported next path for File Explorer issues after SFC, DISM, and restarting Explorer have already failed.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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