Fix: Windows Explorer Upper Part Window Unresponsiveness

Every time you open Windows Explorer, the upper part of the window (highlighted in the red rectangle below) becomes unresponsive. Unresponsive means that you cannot click on or interact with any elements in that area, making it difficult to use the File Explorer effectively. In this article, we will discuss the possible causes and solutions to this issue.

Possible Causes

The following are some common reasons why the upper part of the Windows Explorer window might become unresponsive:

Outdated or corrupt system files: Over time, system files can get corrupted or outdated, leading to various issues, including Explorer window unresponsiveness.
Insufficient system resources: If your system has insufficient memory or processing power, Windows Explorer might become unresponsive, especially when dealing with large folders or files.
Third-party software conflicts: Some third-party applications can interfere with Windows Explorer, causing it to behave unpredictably, including becoming unresponsive.
Display driver issues: Faulty display drivers can sometimes cause the upper part of the Explorer window to become unresponsive.

Solutions

Method 1: Restart Windows Explorer

Restarting Windows Explorer is an easy and quick solution to many issues, including the unresponsive upper part of the window. To do this:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
Find "Windows Explorer" in the list of processes, right-click on it, and select "Restart".

Method 2: Run System File Checker

Running the System File Checker (SFC) can help fix corrupted system files that might be causing the issue. To do this:

Press Win + X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)".
Type "sfc /scannow" and press Enter.
Wait for the scan to complete.

Method 3: Check for Malware

Malware can cause various issues, including making the upper part of the Windows Explorer window unresponsive. To check for malware:

Press Win + R and type "ms-settings:windowsdefender".
Click on "Windows Defender" and select "Scan options".
Select "Full scan" and click "Scan now".

Method 4: Adjust Visual Effects

Disabling some visual effects can help improve system performance and reduce the likelihood of Windows Explorer becoming unresponsive. To do this:

Press Win + R and type "sysdm.cpl".
Click on "Advanced system settings" and select the "Performance" tab.
Click on "Settings" under "Visual Effects".
Uncheck "Animate controls and elements inside windows" and "Show shadows under menus".

Method 5: Update Display Drivers

Outdated or faulty display drivers can sometimes cause the upper part of the Windows Explorer window to become unresponsive. To update display drivers:

Press Win + X and select "Device Manager".
Expand the "Display adapters" category.
Right-click on your display adapter and select "Update driver".
Select "Search automatically for updated driver software".

Method 6: Disable Superfetch

Superfetch is a Windows service that preloads frequently used applications into memory. Disabling it can help improve system performance and reduce the likelihood of Windows Explorer becoming unresponsive. To do this:

Press Win + R and type "services.msc".
Find "Superfetch" in the list, right-click on it, and select "Properties".
Change the "Startup type" to "Disabled" and click "Stop" if it's currently running.

In conclusion, the upper part of the Windows Explorer window becoming unresponsive can be caused by various factors, including outdated or corrupt system files, insufficient system resources, third-party software conflicts, and display driver issues. The solutions include restarting Windows Explorer, running System File Checker, checking for malware, adjusting visual effects, updating display drivers, and disabling Superfetch. By following these methods, you should be able to fix the issue and use Windows Explorer effectively.