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
    2013-08-20T05:42:11+00:00

    Yo, Edgar. You seem to know some stuff. lol. But just wondering, sometimes i get like 4-6 explorer.exe running roughly around 14,xxx - 12,xxx. I do use synergy to link between 3 different systems. You think swithing back and forth might be the cause if the one w/ multiple explorers running is the syn. server?

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-08-10T05:23:22+00:00

    Here is alternative solution using a batch file:

    ___________________________________________________________________________________

    tasklist /FI "IMAGENAME eq explorer.exe" > proclst1.txt

    type proclst1.txt

    echo.

    set /p UserInput=Please enter the PID with the most memory:

    taskkill /FI "PID ne %UserInput%" /f /im explorer.exe

    del proclst1.txt

    echo PID %UserInput% has been spared.

    pause

    ___________________________________________________________________________________

    Copy this text and save it in a text file with a .bat or .cmd extension.

    When you run the batch file it will show a list of all the explorer.exe's

    Find the PID of the one with the most memory usage. Type the PID and press Enter.

    It will close all explorer.exe's except the one with the PID you typed.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-03-31T12:45:42+00:00

    well, this happens when you are forcing OS to launch folder windows in separate process.

    this may happen due to a pre tweaked OS, a tweaking software, or you made it yourself.

    Redemption

    open my computer, choose organize, select folder and search options, and from view tab scroll to the end; it will be the first check box. just uncheck launch folder windows in a separate process.

    voila.

    cheers

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