Windows 10 - File Explorer won't open

[EddScott]

I'm trying to avoid having to perform a fresh install on PC but it's looking more and more likely.

Noticed the other day that File Explorer won't open. At the same time the start button wasn't working either and that cortana thing.

Oddly, everything else seems fine.

I found one solution online regarding making registry changes to the user profile and it fixed the start menu and cortana but File Explorer still won't work.

When the PC first boots, if I'm quick and open FE it does work for a bit then closes.

Under safe mode it does the same thing.

I've tried SFC /scannow and it gets to 17% and fails. Powershell crashes when I try to open it so using SFC through admin'd command prompt.

Tried re-setting the build and that failed. Even tried re-ding the Windows 10 upgrade and that failed.

Any other suggestions before a clean install?

 

[EddScott]

I have network shares running and one of them is down so I get the little "Unable to connect" tag on the bottom right come up. I click on that and it goes straight to File Explorer without flinching. Even games seem unaffected.

Shame as 10 as been fine on this machine for a good while. I'll re-install when I've got a spare afternoon!

 

[EddScott]

create a new user account, see if it affects that user too.

Tried that, didn't work.

The most ridiculous issue I've ever experienced.

If I open Word, go the "About" and go into System Info. Click on "Open" and File Explorer opens no problem.