Task Manager (Processes) shows 2 "Firefox.exe*32" while online. Why?

spc3rd · 19 Feb 2017

Good evening everyone,

I've noticed an oddity in Windows Task Manager when I view the list shown under the "Processes" tab, as described below. I'm not sure what it means, and whether or not there is some action I should take.

[Description of issue]

When I am online using the Firefox browser (set as the default), I noticed in the Windows Task Manager (under the Processes tab), there are two identical entries at the top of the list which say: firefox.exe*32. (As shown in the attached screenshot).

My questions:

1. Why are these two identical processes being shown in the Processes tab?
(I've never seen but one "firefox.exe*32" listed until just recently)

2. What action(s) should I take (if any)?

Thank you for your time and any enlightenment!

ThrashZone · 19 Feb 2017

Hi,
Yep not something i would expect to see in a 32 bit version :/
Palemoon does not do it is the odd thing since they are essentially the same.

Ranger4 · 19 Feb 2017

I have just had a look at my Task Manager while Opera is open & running & it's showing 5 Opera.exe *32's, so I assume this is normal.

Just to stop jumping to conclusions I am running Opera 64 bit on Win 7 64 bit. Incidentally those 5 Opera.exe's are when here on Seven Forums.

As a test I closed Opera & those 5 Opera.exe's disappeared immediately. Then reopened Opera again, then back here on the Forum & all 5 are back again.

townsbg · 20 Feb 2017

Right click on each entry and select open file location. If either doesn't open up the file in the firefox folder then you have a problem. Otherwise there could be numerous reasons why there is a second process. If they are both legit processes then I wouldn't worry about it.

spc3rd · 20 Feb 2017

Thank you to everyone who has replied to my inquiry!

Per townsbg's instructions, I checked the file location for both the firefox.exe*32 entries, and as you can see in the attached screenshot, both go to the same location: C:\Program Files(x86)\Mozilla Firefox.

The two identical entries will continue to be shown in the Processes tab in Task Manager as long as I have Firefox open. Once I click the red [X] at the top right of the webpage to return to my Desktop screen, the entries will no longer be displayed in TM.

Also, I've not seen more than two entries at any time, regardless of what website I may be on, or doing a Google search, etc. Scans with MSE, MBAM Premium, and SAS are clean. No issues found.

Like Ranger4, I'm using a Win 7 64-bit machine. (This refurbished computer is one that was recently given to me & set-up by a trusted friend who owns a local computer repair shop, to replace the previous Dell Optiplex 64-bit machine I had which finally bit the dust).

I guess this must be just some odd quirk for which there is no explanation.

Again..thank you to everyone who replied to my topic! :)

ThrashZone · 20 Feb 2017

Hi,
I suppose it might be the quick dial page that is the weird 2nd process
If you end the smaller .....k process the tab you're on will end leaving a message window saying bad news is your tab closed....
Good news.....

End the large .......k process and firefox will completely crash :)

Either way like I said prior palemoon does not do it I have both and both are 32 bit version of the browser on a 64 bit machine
So seems firefox has a 64 bit feature/ bug in it's 32 bit browser version.

64 bit versions or at least internet explorer has always had a 64 bit process managing all 32 bit tabs so with even 1 tab open you'd always see 2 ie processes open.

spc3rd · 20 Feb 2017

Much obliged for your follow-up info, TZ!

FWIW, I also uploaded the firefox.exe file to VirusTotal...just to make sure it was legit - which it was.
Since it doesn't appear the two identical entries are causing any issues, I'll go ahead and consider this issue solved.

Cheers!

LMiller7 · 20 Feb 2017

It appears that Firefox is going to a multiprocess model, such as has been used by other popular browsers for some time. This is being done for reasons of security, reliability, and performance. Firefox has been late to adopt this model, primarily due to incompatible extensions designed for the old model.

Firefox takes the next step toward rolling out multi-process to everyone | Ars Technica

spc3rd · 20 Feb 2017

Thanks very much for the additional info & link, LMiller7!

ThrashZone · 20 Feb 2017

LMiller7 said:

It appears that Firefox is going to a multiprocess model, such as has been used by other popular browsers for some time. This is being done for reasons of security, reliability, and performance. Firefox has been late to adopt this model, primarily due to incompatible extensions designed for the old model.

Firefox takes the next step toward rolling out multi-process to everyone | Ars Technica

Hi,
Yea seems we should just switch to the 64 bit version if that is the case :)