1

You are navigating your hard drive, organizing documents, or moving files when you notice a small, empty square hovering over the icon of every file and folder. When you click a file, a check mark appears. If you have never seen this before, it can be jarring. You might assume it is a bug, a visual glitch, or even a sign of malware.

In reality, this is an intentional Windows feature called Item Check Boxes. When enabled, File Explorer check boxes appear next to files, folders, drives, and desktop icons, allowing you to select multiple items without holding down the Ctrl or Shift keys.

While some users appreciate this functionality, many find it intrusive, visually cluttered, and disruptive to their standard workflow. If you did not intentionally enable this feature, it can be frustrating to figure out how to remove it.

This comprehensive guide explains what File Explorer item check boxes are, why they suddenly appear, and provides step-by-step methods to remove check boxes from files in both Windows 10 and Windows 11. Whether you prefer using the graphical interface, the Registry Editor, or the Command Prompt, this guide covers every viable troubleshooting method.

What Are File Explorer Item Check Boxes?

Windows includes a graphical user interface option known as “Use check boxes to select items.” When activated, File Explorer overlays a check box on the top left corner of any selectable item.

The Purpose of Item Check Boxes

The primary purpose of this feature is multi-selection. Traditionally, selecting multiple non-adjacent files in Windows requires the user to hold down the Control (Ctrl) key while clicking each file. If you release the Ctrl key too early and click again, you lose your entire selection.

Check boxes eliminate this requirement. You can simply click the check box next to each file you want to select. The files remain selected even if you click away and then click back, reducing the risk of accidentally deselecting a large batch of files.

Touch Devices and Tablet Mode

Microsoft initially introduced this feature to improve usability on touch-enabled devices. Tapping precise file icons on a high-resolution touchscreen with a finger is difficult. The check boxes provide a significantly larger, more forgiving hitbox, making file management on tablets and 2-in-1 laptops much easier.

Accessibility

Item check boxes serve an important accessibility function. Users with motor control difficulties who find it challenging to hold down modifier keys (like Ctrl or Shift) while simultaneously clicking a mouse can use check boxes to select files with single clicks.

Mouse Users

Even on traditional desktop computers with a mouse, some users prefer this setup. It allows for highly deliberate selection. You cannot accidentally drag and move a group of files when you are clicking a check box, which prevents accidental file relocation.

Why They Suddenly Appear

If you did not intentionally turn on File Explorer check boxes, their sudden appearance can seem random. As a system administrator, I frequently see this issue reported by users. The causes generally fall into several distinct categories.

Accidental Enabling

The most common cause is an accidental mouse click or keyboard interaction. In both Windows 10 and Windows 11, hovering over an item in File Explorer and clicking slightly to the left of the icon or file name can inadvertently activate the check box. Additionally, users navigating the View menu might accidentally click the “Item check boxes” toggle without realizing it.

Windows Update

Windows updates are notorious for resetting user preferences. During major feature updates or even cumulative updates, Windows may reset Explorer Advanced settings to their default states. In some scenarios, the update process enables touch-oriented features by default, especially if the system detects a touch-capable display during the hardware re-evaluation phase.

Explorer Settings Reset

File Explorer preferences are stored in the Windows Registry. If the user registry hive encounters a minor error or if a Windows update overwrites specific keys, your personal Explorer settings might reset to factory defaults, which sometimes includes enabling item check boxes.

Folder Options Changed

If multiple people use the same computer, another user profile might have different Explorer settings. While settings are generally user-specific, accessing shared network folders or applying a universal folder view can sometimes propagate specific settings across local directories.

Registry Changes

Direct modifications to the registry, whether intentional or caused by a script, can flip the AutoCheckSelect value. If a piece of software requires changing Explorer settings, it might inadvertently enable check boxes as a side effect.

Third-Party Optimization Software

Many “PC optimization” tools modify Windows UI behaviors. Tools designed to make Windows look like older versions, or tools that promise to speed up the system, often change dozens of registry keys at once. If you recently ran an optimization tool, it may have enabled File Explorer item check boxes as part of a “touch-friendly” or “accessibility” preset.

Windows Tweaking Tools

Similar to optimization software, Windows tweaking utilities (like Winaero Tweaker) allow granular control over the operating system’s appearance. Users exploring these tools often toggle settings to see what they do, inadvertently turning on check boxes.

Touchscreen Settings

If you connect an external touchscreen monitor, a graphics tablet, or convert a laptop to tablet mode, Windows might automatically enable touch-friendly UI elements, including File Explorer item check boxes, to improve the touch experience.

Corrupted Explorer Preferences

In rare cases, the registry keys governing File Explorer become corrupted. When Windows cannot read the user preference, it may fall back to a default state, which could result in check boxes appearing on your files and folders.

Solution 1: Disable Item Check Boxes via the View Menu

The fastest and most common way to remove check boxes is through the File Explorer interface. Microsoft changed the UI significantly between Windows 10 and Windows 11, so the steps differ slightly based on your operating system.

Windows 11 File Explorer Settings

Windows 11 introduced a modern command bar, replacing the traditional ribbon interface found in Windows 10.

1. Open File Explorer by pressing Win + E or clicking the folder icon on the taskbar.
2. Navigate to any folder where you see the check boxes.
3. Look at the top menu bar and click on View.
4. A dropdown menu will appear. Look for the Show submenu.
5. Hover over Show to expand the side menu.
6. Click on Item check boxes to uncheck it.

The check boxes should instantly disappear from your files and folders. If they do not, press F5 to refresh the window.

Windows 10 File Explorer

Windows 10 utilizes the classic ribbon interface, making the option slightly more visible.

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Select any folder to view its contents.
3. At the top of the window, click on the View tab in the ribbon.
4. Look in the “Show/hide” section of the ribbon.
5. Locate the button labeled Item check boxes.
6. If the button is highlighted or has a border, the feature is enabled. Click the button to turn it off.

The change takes effect immediately across all File Explorer windows.

Solution 2: Disable through Folder Options

If toggling the View menu does not work, or if you want to ensure the setting is applied globally across all folder types, you should use the classic Folder Options dialog. This method is highly reliable and works identically across both operating systems, though the path to access the menu varies.

Accessing Folder Options in Windows 11

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click the three dots (…) on the far right of the command bar.
3. Select Options from the dropdown menu.

Accessing Folder Options in Windows 10

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on the View tab in the ribbon.
3. Click the Options button on the far right side of the ribbon.

Applying the Fix

Once the Folder Options window is open:

1. Click on the View tab.
2. Scroll through the “Advanced settings” list.
3. Look for the setting labeled Use check boxes to select items.
4. Uncheck the box next to this setting.
5. Click the Apply button.
6. Click the OK button to close the window.

Using Folder Options ensures that the preference is saved to your user profile, overriding any specific folder view settings that might have been forcing the check boxes to appear.

Solution 3: Reset File Explorer

Sometimes, the File Explorer process encounters a temporary glitch and fails to apply UI changes properly. In other cases, customized folder views conflict with global settings. Resetting File Explorer clears these issues.

Restart the Explorer Process

Restarting the Explorer process forces Windows to reload the user interface and apply all saved preferences from the registry.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. In Windows 11, ensure you are on the “Processes” tab. In Windows 10, you may need to click “More details” if the window is compact.
3. Locate Windows Explorer in the list.
4. Right-click it and select Restart.

Your taskbar and open File Explorer windows will briefly disappear and then reappear. You can also perform this action via the Command Prompt:

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe

The first command forcefully terminates the explorer.exe process. The second command immediately launches a new instance.

Reset Folder Options to Defaults

If customized folder views are causing conflicts, resetting them to default can resolve the issue.

1. Open Folder Options (as outlined in Solution 2).
2. Go to the View tab.
3. Click the Reset Folders button. A prompt will ask if you want to set all folders of this type to their original view settings. Click Yes.
4. Click the Restore Defaults button (if available).
5. Ensure Use check boxes to select items is unchecked.
6. Click Apply and then OK.

Solution 4: Registry Fix (AutoCheckSelect)

When standard UI settings fail to stick, the issue is rooted in the Windows Registry. The specific registry value controlling this feature is AutoCheckSelect. Modifying this value directly often resolves persistent issues where check boxes refuse to go away or return after a reboot.

Warning: The Registry Editor is a powerful database. Incorrectly modifying or deleting keys can cause system instability or render Windows unbootable. Before proceeding, back up your registry. Open Registry Editor, click File > Export, and save a .reg backup file to a safe location.

Modifying the Registry via Registry Editor

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type regedit and press Enter. Click Yes if User Account Control prompts for permission.
3. In the left-hand navigation pane, use the folder tree to navigate to the following path:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
4. In the right-hand pane, scroll down until you find the DWORD value named AutoCheckSelect.
5. Double-click AutoCheckSelect to modify it.
6. Change the Value data to 0.

• 0 disables File Explorer check boxes.
• 1 enables File Explorer check boxes.

1. Click OK to save the change.
2. Close the Registry Editor.
3. Restart File Explorer or reboot your computer for the changes to take full effect.

Deleting the Registry Key

If the AutoCheckSelect value is corrupted and refuses to accept the change, deleting it forces Windows to recreate it with the default value (0). You can do this via the Registry Editor by right-clicking the value and selecting Delete, or you can execute a command via the Command Prompt:

reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v AutoCheckSelect /f

This command targets the exact registry path (HKCU\...), specifies the value name (/v AutoCheckSelect), and forces the deletion (/f). Once deleted, Windows recreates the key on the next login, defaulting to no check boxes.

Solution 5: Use Command Prompt

For power users and IT administrators, using the Command Prompt to modify registry settings is often faster and more reliable than navigating graphical menus. This method is particularly useful if you are writing a script to apply settings across multiple machines.

To disable the check boxes via the Command Prompt, you will add the AutoCheckSelect DWORD value and set it to 0.

1. Press Win + S to open Windows Search.
2. Type cmd.
3. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
4. Execute the following command to disable the feature:

reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v AutoCheckSelect /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Breakdown of the command:

• reg add: Instructs the tool to add or modify a registry value.
• "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced": The exact registry path where the setting is stored.
• /v AutoCheckSelect: The name of the value being modified.
• /t REG_DWORD: The data type of the registry value.
• /d 0: The data being written to the value. 0 means off.
• /f: Forces the overwrite without prompting for confirmation.

After running the command, restart the Explorer process using the commands from Solution 3 to apply the changes immediately.

Solution 6: Run SFC and DISM

If the AutoCheckSelect registry key is missing entirely, cannot be modified, or if File Explorer behaves erratically (ignoring your UI selections), you likely have underlying system file corruption. Windows includes built-in utilities to scan for and repair corrupted system files.

System File Checker (SFC)

The SFC utility scans all protected system files and replaces corrupted files with a cached copy located in a compressed folder on the system.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

sfc /scannow

3. Allow the scan to complete. This process usually takes 5 to 15 minutes.
4. If the tool finds and repairs files, restart your computer and attempt to disable the check boxes using Solution 1 or Solution 2.

Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM)

If SFC fails to repair the files, or if SFC reports that it could not fix some files, you must use DISM. DISM repairs the Windows image itself, fixing the cache that SFC uses to replace corrupted files.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

3. This process requires an active internet connection, as DISM may need to download healthy files from Windows Update.
4. Once the process finishes at 100%, run the sfc /scannow command again.
5. Reboot your computer.

After repairing system corruption, your Explorer settings should save normally, and the check boxes should disappear once disabled via the UI.

Solution 7: Check Group Policy

If you are using Windows 10 Pro, Windows 11 Pro, or Enterprise editions, Group Policy might be enforcing the check box setting. If a policy is active, changing the setting in Folder Options will only last until the next background policy refresh, at which point the check boxes will return.

While there is no dedicated Group Policy Object specifically named “Item Check Boxes,” administrators can enforce UI settings via Custom Administrative Templates or Registry preferences. To ensure no policy is overriding your settings:

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
2. In the left pane, navigate to:
   User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer
3. Review the settings in this folder. Look for any policy that mentions “Turn off Windows Explorer heuristic shell view” or settings related to folder views.
4. Additionally, check:
   User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer > Common Open File Dialog
5. Ensure no policies are set to “Enabled” that force specific view settings. If you find a suspicious policy, double-click it, set it to Not Configured, and click OK.
6. Open Command Prompt and force a policy update:

   gpupdate /force

7. Restart the computer.

If you are on a domain-joined corporate machine, contact your IT administrator, as domain-level policies will override local settings.

Solution 8: Undo Changes from Windows Optimizers

Third-party optimization and tweaking tools are a frequent cause of unexpected UI changes in Windows. These tools batch-modify registry keys to alter system behavior. If you recently ran one of the following tools, it may have enabled File Explorer item check boxes.

• WinUtil / Chris Titus Tech Tool: This popular PowerShell script applies various tweaks to streamline Windows. If you selected a preset that enables touch features or modifies Explorer Advanced settings, it may have turned on AutoCheckSelect.
• AtlasOS / ReviOS: These custom Windows playbooks and ISOs strip out telemetry and background services to improve gaming performance. In their aggressive modification of Explorer settings, they sometimes alter default UI elements.
• O&O ShutUp10++: Primarily used for privacy, this tool modifies deep system settings. Applying “Recommended” or “Limited” settings en masse can inadvertently reset or alter Explorer preferences.
• Winaero Tweaker: This tool provides granular control over Windows aesthetics. It has a specific toggle for “Use check boxes to select items.” If you applied a batch of tweaks, this option might have been checked.

How to Resolve

To fix this, you must reverse the changes made by the tweaking software:

1. Open the specific tweaking tool you used (e.g., Winaero Tweaker).
2. Search for settings related to “Check boxes,” “Explorer,” or “Selection.”
3. Disable or revert the setting within the tool.
4. If the tool has a “Restore Defaults” or “Undo all changes” button, consider using it.
5. Reboot your computer.

If the tool was run via a script (like WinUtil) and does not have a GUI to revert, you can usually re-run the script and toggle the specific Explorer tweak off, or manually apply the Registry Fix outlined in Solution 4.

Common Problems

Even after applying the fixes above, you might encounter edge cases where the behavior persists or varies.

Check Boxes Return After Reboot

If the check boxes disappear when you disable them but return after restarting your PC, a third-party application or a Group Policy is overwriting the AutoCheckSelect registry key on startup. Boot into Safe Mode to see if the issue persists. If check boxes do not return in Safe Mode, a startup program is the culprit. Clean boot your system to isolate the application.

Desktop Icons Also Have Check Boxes

The “Use check boxes to select items” setting is global to the Explorer shell. The Desktop (explorer.exe) is technically a File Explorer window. If check boxes appear on your desktop icons, disabling the setting via Folder Options (Solution 2) will remove them from the desktop as well.

Only Folders Have Check Boxes

Windows allows different folder types (General Items, Documents, Pictures, etc.) to have customized view templates. If check boxes appear only in specific folders, reset the folder views using the “Reset Folders” button in Folder Options (Solution 3) to apply a uniform setting across all directories.

Network Drives Affected

Network drives sometimes cache folder view settings locally. If check boxes appear only on network locations, clear the Explorer cache (outlined in Advanced Troubleshooting) and remap the network drive.

OneDrive Files Affected

OneDrive integrates deeply with File Explorer. If OneDrive is utilizing its own separate view settings, check boxes might appear there. Disabling the global “Item check boxes” setting usually resolves OneDrive integration issues, but you may need to restart the OneDrive sync client from the system tray.

Explorer Keeps Resetting

If File Explorer continuously resets all your view settings (not just check boxes, but column widths and sort orders), your user profile’s BagMRU and Bags registry keys are likely corrupted. These keys store folder view preferences. Clearing these keys (detailed in Advanced Troubleshooting) forces Windows to rebuild your view settings from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why do File Explorer check boxes suddenly appear?
File Explorer check boxes appear because the “Use check boxes to select items” feature was enabled. This usually happens due to accidental clicks, a Windows update resetting preferences, or third-party tweaking tools modifying Explorer Advanced settings.

2. Can I remove check boxes from files without affecting other settings?
Yes. Disabling the “Use check boxes to select items” setting only removes the check box UI. It does not alter your folder views, sorting preferences, or file associations.

3. Does disabling check boxes prevent multi-file selection?
No. You can still select multiple files by holding the Ctrl or Shift keys while clicking, or by clicking and dragging a selection box over the files.

4. Why do I see check boxes on my desktop icons?
The Windows Desktop is rendered by the File Explorer process. Therefore, the Item Check Boxes setting applies globally, affecting both standard File Explorer windows and the desktop background.

5. How do I disable File Explorer check boxes via the Registry?
Open Registry Editor, navigate to HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced, and set the AutoCheckSelect DWORD value to 0.

6. What is the AutoCheckSelect registry key?
The AutoCheckSelect key is a DWORD value in the Windows Registry that directly controls the Item Check Boxes feature. A value of 1 enables them, and a value of 0 disables them.

7. Will running SFC fix File Explorer check boxes?
Running SFC will only fix the issue if the reason the check boxes won’t turn off is due to corrupted Windows system files preventing the registry from saving your preferences.

8. Is the process different for Windows 11 File Explorer settings?
The underlying mechanics are identical. The only difference is the UI path. In Windows 11, you access the setting via the three-dot menu > Options. In Windows 10, it is in the View ribbon.

9. Can a virus enable File Explorer check boxes?
While technically possible via a malicious script, it is highly unlikely. Malware generally aims to hide files, not add UI elements. This issue is almost always a legitimate Windows setting or optimization tool.

10. How do I turn off check boxes using Command Prompt?
Open an elevated Command Prompt and run: reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v AutoCheckSelect /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

11. Why do the check boxes come back after I restart my computer?
Check boxes return after reboot if a third-party startup program, a Windows optimization tool, or a Group Policy is overwriting the AutoCheckSelect registry value upon login.

12. Does Tablet Mode automatically enable check boxes?
Yes. In Windows 10, enabling Tablet Mode often triggers touch-friendly UI elements, including check boxes, to make selecting files with a finger easier.

13. Are File Explorer check boxes an accessibility feature?
Yes. They are designed to help users who have difficulty holding down modifier keys like Ctrl or Shift while clicking a mouse, allowing single-click multi-selection.

14. What should I do if the AutoCheckSelect registry key is missing?
If the key is missing, Windows defaults to the standard behavior (no check boxes). If check boxes still appear without the key, run SFC and DISM to repair system file corruption, or manually add the key with a value of 0.

15. Can I apply this fix to multiple user accounts?
Yes. You must apply the Registry or Folder Options fix while logged into each user account, as the AutoCheckSelect setting is stored in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive, which is unique to each profile.

Advanced Troubleshooting

If you have exhausted all standard solutions and File Explorer check boxes persist, the problem is deeply rooted in your user profile or system cache. The following advanced methods will resolve stubborn instances of this issue.

Create a New User Profile

User profile corruption is a common cause of persistent UI glitches in Windows. If your user profile’s registry hive (NTUSER.DAT) is damaged, settings will not save correctly.

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Accounts > Family & other users (or Other users in Windows 11).
3. Click Add account.
4. Follow the prompts to create a new local user account.
5. Log out of your current account and log into the new account.
6. Check if File Explorer check boxes appear.

If the check boxes do not appear in the new profile, your original profile is corrupted. You must migrate your files to the new profile and delete the corrupted one.

Boot into Safe Mode

Booting into Safe Mode loads Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs.

1. Hold down Shift and click Restart from the Start menu power options.
2. Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
3. Press 4 to Enable Safe Mode.
4. Once in Safe Mode, open Folder Options and ensure check boxes are disabled.
5. Restart normally.

If the check boxes stay gone after a normal restart, a third-party application (like antivirus or optimization software) was overriding the setting.

Clear Explorer Cache (BagMRU Reset)

Windows stores folder view settings in registry keys called BagMRU and Bags. If these become corrupted, File Explorer behaves erratically.

Warning: Resetting these keys will erase your customized folder view settings (like column widths and sort orders), reverting them to default.

1. Open Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell
3. Inside this key, you will see three subkeys: BagMRU, Bags, and BagDescriptions.
4. Right-click and delete BagMRU and Bags.
5. Close Registry Editor.
6. Restart explorer.exe via Task Manager.

Windows will rebuild the folder view cache. Disable the check boxes via the UI again, and they should stay gone.

Registry Backup and Restoration

If modifying the registry causes unexpected issues, you can easily restore it if you created a backup. Double-clicking the .reg file you exported earlier will merge those exact settings back into the registry, reverting any unwanted changes. Always perform registry modifications carefully.

Windows Repair Install (In-Place Upgrade)

If system files are severely corrupted and SFC/DISM cannot fix them, an in-place upgrade is the final step before a clean installation.

1. Download the Windows 10 or Windows 11 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft.
2. Run the tool and select Upgrade this PC now.
3. Choose the option to Keep personal files and apps.
4. Allow Windows to reinstall the operating system over your existing installation.

This process replaces all core system files and registry defaults while preserving your personal data, applications, and user profiles. After the upgrade completes, disable the check boxes in Folder Options.

Conclusion

File Explorer check boxes are an intentional accessibility feature designed to make multi-selection easier, particularly on touch devices. However, when enabled accidentally or triggered by system updates and tweaking tools, they can become an annoying visual nuisance.

Removing check boxes from files in Windows 10 and Windows 11 is typically a straightforward process. For most users, simply unchecking “Use check boxes to select items” in the View menu or Folder Options resolves the issue immediately.

For more stubborn cases where the setting refuses to stick, the AutoCheckSelect registry fix or a Command Prompt script provides a definitive solution. If the problem stems from system corruption, running SFC and DISM will repair the underlying architecture, ensuring File Explorer behaves predictably. By following the methods in this guide, you can restore a clean, traditional file management experience in Windows.

External Authoritative Sources

• Microsoft Learn: File Explorer and Search troubleshooting
• Microsoft Support: Repair Windows system files using DISM

Troubleshooting Checklist

Use this quick checklist to systematically resolve File Explorer check box issues:

• [ ] Open Folder Options (View > Options) and uncheck “Use check boxes to select items” on the View tab.
• [ ] In Windows 11, use the command bar: View > Show > Item check boxes.
• [ ] In Windows 10, use the ribbon: View > Item check boxes.
• [ ] Restart the explorer.exe process via Task Manager or Command Prompt (taskkill /f /im explorer.exe and start explorer.exe).
• [ ] Open Registry Editor and set AutoCheckSelect to 0 at HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced.
• [ ] Run the Command Prompt registry override: reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v AutoCheckSelect /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f.
• [ ] Delete the AutoCheckSelect value to force a default reset: reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v AutoCheckSelect /f.
• [ ] Run sfc /scannow in an elevated Command Prompt.
• [ ] Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth in an elevated Command Prompt.
• [ ] Check Group Policy (gpedit.msc) for enforced Explorer settings.
• [ ] Revert settings in third-party tools (Winaero Tweaker, WinUtil, O&O ShutUp10++).
• [ ] Reset Folder Options to defaults.
• [ ] Clear the Explorer cache by deleting BagMRU and Bags in the Registry.
• [ ] Test the issue in a new local user profile.
• [ ] Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Windows Repair Install) if all else fails.