How to Fix File Explorer Dropdown Menu on Windows 11
It's been a while since I've seen the drop down menu in File Explorer stop working on Windows 11 but it seems that one of the latest updates has brought it back to life. So if you are getting this issue this guide will walk you through quite a few different steps that you can take to fix the problem. I personally find uninstalling the latest update the most successful fix but there are plenty of other potential fixes as well so don't skip any.
How to Fix File Explorer Drop-Down Menu Not Working in Windows 11
Before you go ahead and start working with some of the more in-depth steps, this one is a really quick and easy one you can check.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- In the Processes tab, find Windows Explorer.
- Right-click on it and select Restart.
- Wait a few seconds as the taskbar and desktop icons disappear and reappear.
Uninstall the last Update (It was probably a bad one)
To start the process of uninstalling updates on Windows 11, you’ll need to do the following.
- First, open the Settings app by pressing the Windows Key + I on your keyboard or by searching Settings from the Start menu.
- Next, click Windows Update in the left-hand pane of the main Settings screen. This will take you to a new page where you will need to click& Update history.
- Once you have clicked Update history, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Uninstall updates.
- This will open the Control Panel and show you a list of updates that can be uninstalled. Simply right-click on an update and select Uninstall, then follow the semi-automated process shown by Windows.
Note: When selecting an update to uninstall, it’s usually best to remove the most recent update first then work your way back until you see the issue you are having solved.
Roll back an Entire Windows 11 Build (Not always available)
Alternatively, you can go to Settings > Windows Update > Update History > Recovery > Go back. This will allow you to roll back an entire Windows 11 build. This method works well, however does take a lot longer to complete, so make sure you have some extra time to wait.
Adjust Display Scaling
Incorrect scaling settings can cause menus to open incorrectly or off-screen.
- Right-click on the desktop and select Display settings.
- Scroll down to Scale & layout.
- Set scaling to 100%.
- Apply the changes and test the File Explorer drop-down menus.
Clear File Explorer History
A cluttered cache can cause erratic behavior, and clearing it can reset File Explorer preferences.
- Press Win + E to open File Explorer.
- Click on the View tab, then select Options.
If the drop-down menu isn’t working, type File Options in Windows search and press Enter.
- Under the General tab, find the Privacy section.
- Click Clear next to Clear File Explorer history.
- Click OK to apply the changes.
Repair Corrupted System Files
Corrupted system files can disrupt File Explorer, and running an SFC/DISM scan can help fix them.
- Type cmd in Windows search.
- Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- When prompted by UAC, click Yes.
- Type the following command and hit Enter:
sfc /scannow
After the scan completes, run the following commands one by one:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
-
Close Command Prompt and restart your PC.
Reset File Explorer Settings
If File Explorer settings are corrupted, resetting them can restore normal functionality.
- Open File Explorer.
- Click on the View tab.
- Click Options > Change folder and search options.
- In the Folder Options window, go to the View tab.
- Click Reset Folders, then Yes to confirm.
- Click Restore Defaults, then OK.
Why is the File Explorer Drop-Down Menu Not Working?
While this isn't the most common problem you'll get while using Windows 11 here are a few symptoms and a few things that might be causing it.
- Menus popping up instead of dropping down.
- Auto-collapsing before you can select anything.
- No response when clicked.
This behavior is typically caused by
- Recent Windows updates (especially the 24H2 release) introducing UI glitches.
- Corrupt system files affecting File Explorer functionality.
- Outdated drivers causing display-related issues.
- Conflicts with third-party apps, such as antivirus or Explorer customization tools.
- Improper display scaling settings.
- Cached File Explorer settings causing unexpected behaviour.