Microsoft released the latest Windows 11 build 22563 for Dev Channel Insiders a couple of days ago. As is usually the case, the company mentioned a long list of known issues in the release notes for the build. For File Explorer, Microsoft officially lists two issues but it looks like the Dev Channel flighters have also noticed another bug that is apparently causing the File Explorer to crash.
This File Explorer crash is seemingly triggered when one presses Windows key + X to access the right-click menu on the Start button. After it crashes, the File Explorer apparently restarts on its own too. It is important to note that the issue apparently does not impact everyone as File Explorer on our test machines doesn't crash when triggering the Win + X shortcut.
German outlet Deskmodder has shared a workaround for the crash. The workaround is deployed using the Vibranium feature configuration tool which is popularly known as ViVeTool. You'll also need a command-line (CLI) tool like Command Prompt or PowerShell and have administrator rights.
- Download ViVeTool
- Via PowerShell: .\vivetool addconfig 26008830 2
- Via command prompt: vivetool addconfig 26008830 2
- To undo: vivetool delconfig 26008830 2
Example image using PowerShell:
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ViVeTool creator Albacore also commented on the issue:
💡If you wonder why enabling new taskbar UI bits fixes the Win-X crash in build 22563:
— Albacore (@thebookisclosed) February 26, 2022
When you invoke Win-X the taskbar tries to update an internal value that determines if it's currently in the new collapsed mode for tablets.
New UI bits disabled ➡️ null pointer reference 💥 https://t.co/wLp2y95lb2
Albacore believes that the right-clicking of the Start menu is triggering the Explorer crash due to hidden features like the newly gained Tablet-mode overhaul in Build 22563. Hence, enabling the hidden Tablet-mode Taskbar using ViVeTool fixes the issue.
Source and image: Deskmodder
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