There are multiple instances of explorer.exe running in task manager (currently 7), each one using between 10-40MB of memory.

Anonymous
2009-11-03T00:15:23+00:00

Different explorer.exe processes are using cpu resources at different times.  I remember reading a while back that this could be a sign of a virus, but I've done a full scan with NIS 2010 and nothing showed up.  Can anyone give me pointers where to start investigating?

I did a clean install of Windows 7 last Friday -formatted HDD and all, so there hasn't been much time for anything bad to happen!

<Original title - There are multiple instances of explorer.exe running in task manager (currently 7), each one using between 10-40MB of memory.  I've never seen this in any previous version, and it doesn't look right to me. >

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Anonymous
2010-10-02T01:12:12+00:00

I found out what is causing the explorer.exe's to hang... If you give ANY arguments to explorer.exe in your shortcut/properties, to try to change the default directory from Libraries, it will hang.  For example, simply using "explorer.exe C:" will cause explorer task to hang whent you close it... by hang, i mean the window closes, but the process remains in memory.  I had 15 explorer.exe's tonight....  There are tips on the net about how to get explorer to default to My Computer (which I was using this tip -- i HATE it defaulting to Libraries which i NEVER use)..... so edit your shortcut, and take off any arguments to explorer.exe.  See if this fixes it!

As expected , the tech support is clueless on this I see.

PS -- I just figured out how to default Explorer to My Computer... Its weird, but it works...  Rightclick drag your My Computer icon on the desktop over to a blank space.  Create a shortcut....  Now unpin any Windows Explorer you have from your Taskbar... Now, left-click drag your My Computer shortcut to the taskbar.    Now, if you just click this, you go to Libraries.... BUT -- if instead you right-click it, you will see the My Computer shortcut, and select this, and it goes to My Computer.... and there are never any EXTRA explorer.exe's hanging around!

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-04-13T07:22:58+00:00

    Zardos99 is right--I had been using these with the Explorer launcher to get to My Computer instead of the (useless) Library system. Removing all the tags opens the Explorer with all the folders and trees I've looked at expanded, making it a complete mess, but it doesn't leave a second (or 15th) explorer.exe instance either.

    I really love Microsoft--it's "break this to fix that". Techs, you have your answer--and it involves letting users adjust the Explorer window enough that they don't have to resort to command-line switches to do it (start location, whether all trees are collapsed, whether I ever see Libraries, etc, etc). I imagine we won't see a fix until Windows 8, when something else gets broken.

    Every new version that comes out makes me wonder more and more why I haven't tried Linux yet.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-04-05T03:05:48+00:00

    I too am having this problem (as I have some switches included my explorer.exe shortcut).  It doesn't matter whether it's configured to run in a separate process or not, I end up with dozens of instances of explorer.exe.  Zardos99's solution doesn't work for me - it doesn't let me open up multiple instances at once using that method.  Microsoft needs to fix this, and numerous other major problems with Windows 7.  I had such high hopes for Service Pack 1, but not a single issue I was having was fixed.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-02-05T05:22:29+00:00

    hello all

    the modification of the default libraries opening folder with any prog as Tuneup Utilities, Win7 manager, My7 optimizer...will induce this behavior in task manager

    got back to default settings and all is OK

    funny isn't it?

    should be corrected for at least a possible edition and modification

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-12-18T17:26:31+00:00

    This worked for me too. Finally a solution.

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