How to Open a Folder in a New Process in Windows 7
Information
This will show you how to open a folder or drive window in a separate new Windows Explorer (explorer.exe) process in Windows 7.
Note
This is not the same as just having a folder open in a separate new window. Those two folder windows would still just be running in the same single explorer.exe process.
Having a folder open in a separate process will allow multiple instances of the open folder window to be running with each instance running with a separate explorer.exe process. If one of these instances should close or crash, the other instances would be completely unaffected by it.
Warning
This can increase the stability of Windows 7 by opening every folder in a separate part of memory. Use this setting if your computer frequently crashes, and you are trying to minimize problems or troubleshoot. Be aware, however, that doing this could slow down the performance of your computer.
Tip
To see what processes (ex: explorer.exe) are running:
Open Task Manager (CTRL+SHIFT+ESCAPE).
Click on the Processes tab. (See screenshots below)
Under Image Name, look for how many explorer.exe processes you have open. You will have one for each new folder process you open.
OPTION ONE
To Manually Open a Folder Window in a New Process
NOTE:This will allow you to manually open a selected folder window in a new separate process.
1. Press and hold the Shift key, then right click on the folder or folder shortcut that you want to open in a separate process, release the Shift key, and click on Open in New Process. (See screenshot below)
2. This will now open the selected folder in a separate window that is in a new process.
OPTION TWO
Through Folder Options
NOTE:This will set Windows 7 to always open all folder windows in a separate new process or not when they are opened.
1.Open Folder Options, and click on the View tab. (See screenshot below step 4)
2. To Launch Folder Windows in a Separate Process when Opened NOTE: Folders open in the same process as each other, but a separate instance to the process that provides the Shell.
A) Check the Launch folder windows in a separate process box. (See screenshot below step 4)
B) Go to step 4.
3. To Not Launch Folder Windows in a Separate Process when Opened NOTE:Folders open in the same process as each other, in the same instance to the process that provides the Shell. This is the default setting.
A) Uncheck the Launch folder windows in a separate process box. (See screenshot below step 4)
4. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)
OPTION THREE
Using a REG File Download
1. To Launch Folder Windows in a Separate Process when Opened
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Launch_Folder_Windows_in_Separate_Process.reg
B) Go to step 3.
2. To Not Launch Folder Windows in a Separate Process when Opened
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below. NOTE:This is the default setting.
Not_Launch_Folder_Windows_in_Separate_Process.reg
3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.
4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.
5. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.
6. If open, close and reopen Windows Explorer to see the changes. NOTE:If you do not see a change, then log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.
7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
System Manufacturer/Model Number Self Built OS Vista X32. Windows 7 32bit CPU Intel Quad Core 6600 Motherboard Asus P5B Memory 4096 MB Xtreme-Dark 800mhz Graphics Card Zotac Amp Edition 8800GT - 512MB DDR3, O/C 700mhz Monitor(s) Displays Samsung 206BW Screen Resolution 1680 X 1024
Keyboard Microsoft Mouse Targus PSU 550 w Case Thermaltake Cooling 3 x octua NF-S12-1200 - 120mm 1200RPM Sound Optimised Fans Hard Drives 4 X Samsung 500GB 7200rpm Serial ATA-II HDD w. 16MB Cache . Internet Speed 1500kbs
OS Windows 7 Pro x64 CPU Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 [2.4Ghz] OC speeds 3.2Ghz Motherboard ASUS P5QL-E Memory Kingston HyperX KHX8500D2K2-4G 1066Mhz 8GB (2GB*4) Graphics Card ASUS GeForce GTX 550 Ti Sound Card OnBoard Monitor(s) Displays Samsung SyncMaster T220 Screen Resolution 1680*1050
Keyboard Logitech G510 Mouse Logitech G400 PSU Corsair TX750W Case CM 690 II Cooling Cooler Master Hyper 212+ Hard Drives Intel SSD 320 Series 80GB Internet Speed 50Mb :D
Say you have multiple Windows Explorer windows opened with all of then opened and using the same process (ex: explorer.exe in Task Manager Processes tab), and if that explorer.exe should crash or freeze, then all of these multiple Windows Explorer windows running under this process will as well.
Say instead you have one Windows Explorer window opened in one explorer.exe process and open another Windows Explorer window with a new explorer.exe process, and if one of those explorer.exe processes crashes, then the other one will not be affected by it. No performance benefit with this other than more redunancy and reliability. Think of it how Internet Explorer does this with mulitple tabs. This is why you see multiple iexplorer.exe processes entries in Task Manager. One for each tab + Internet Explorer itself. If one tab should crash, the other ones still work and you just need to close the crashed one.
This can increase the stability of Windows 7 by opening every folder in a separate part of memory. Use this setting if your computer frequently crashes, and you are trying to minimize problems or troubleshoot. Be aware, however, that doing this could slow down the performance of your computer.
After trying it for a week, it's slow my PC, had some freezes, and long loading time on opening explorer.exe Just like you said it would.
OS Windows 7 Pro x64 CPU Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 [2.4Ghz] OC speeds 3.2Ghz Motherboard ASUS P5QL-E Memory Kingston HyperX KHX8500D2K2-4G 1066Mhz 8GB (2GB*4) Graphics Card ASUS GeForce GTX 550 Ti Sound Card OnBoard Monitor(s) Displays Samsung SyncMaster T220 Screen Resolution 1680*1050
Keyboard Logitech G510 Mouse Logitech G400 PSU Corsair TX750W Case CM 690 II Cooling Cooler Master Hyper 212+ Hard Drives Intel SSD 320 Series 80GB Internet Speed 50Mb :D
Has anyone actually tried this and looked at the task list? I never see more than two explorer.exe's running, no matter what I try. Can anyone confirm? Screenshots would be cool too.
Information
Note
Warning
Tip
OPTION ONE 
Just like you said it would.
Windows 7 64bit: Process running, but programs don't open 
