explorer.exe spawns 'libraries' when restarted

Hi guys, I'm new here so, before starting my first post, I'll take my chance to say hi to everyone !

I'll try now as well to quickly describe my issue:

I'm running Windows 7 ultimate in Kiosk mode (no explorer.exe, no taskbar, just apps) and so far, so good.
... I'm doing this since the PC needs to go into a cabinet for a custom app where Windows need to be hidden.

Anyway, whenever I close an application/window (I use a batch file and few scripts to switch from an app to the next), explorer.exe is restarted (just the process, not the task bar) but, worse thing, whenever this happens, a 'Libraries' windows pops up taking focus

Couple of questions then to you knowledgeable guys :)

- why if I kill explorer.exe it doesn't stay dead ?
- why on earth, whenever this process is restarted it throws out a 'Libraries' window ?

I already have a spare place in my wall of fame for whoever helps me fixing this

Thanks a lot and have a great evening

metalhammer said:

Hi guys, I'm new here so, before starting my first post, I'll take my chance to say hi to everyone !

Hi Metalhammer! Welcome to SevenForums.

I feel that the problem lies in your batch program. You haven’t provided this so I can only answer your questions.

metalhammer said:

- why if I kill explorer.exe it doesn't stay dead ?

When the Explorer process is killed Windows will detect this and attempt to restart it. Try running tskill explorer. It will close Explorer and Windows will immediately restart it. Interestingly, if you use the taskkill command with the /f switch to kill Explorer, Explorer won’t be relaunched. I’ve also noticed that if you run two tskills in quick succession (tskill explorer & tskill explorer), Explorer will stay closed.

metalhammer said:

- why on earth, whenever this process is restarted it throws out a 'Libraries' window ?

If Explorer is already running and you attempt to launch explorer.exe again, an Explorer window will open.

You’ll need to identify what is launching explorer.exe more times than required. I would guess this would have something to do with the logic of your batch program.

Hi Pyprohly,

really appreciated your help here :)
... I tried looking everywhere but didn not find any useful tip

First thing first, I did more tests in the past few days and I found one interesting clue:

- explorer.exe is restarted when I close (taskkill) my front end (my1st_app.exe in the excerpt below)

so one question is why closing an app causes the system to restart explorer.exe ?

Here's my 'raw' batch file flow (minor details removed):

Code:

echo Closing front end
echo ...
taskkill.exe /IM my1st_app.exe
timeout 4
echo FE terminated succesfully
echo ################################
echo Initiating graphics driver change
echo ...
DriverChange.exe %1
echo Refresh Rate correctly set
echo ################################
echo Wainting for driver restart
echo ...
timeout 4
echo ################################
echo Starting 2ndApp
echo ...
my2nd_app.exe %1
echo ################################
echo Restarting 1stApp.
echo ...
start "My1stApp" /b my1st_app.exe
exit

The timeouts you see are needed to prevent race conditions coming from video driver restart.

So the problem seems to stem from 3rd line where my1st_app is closed: after closure explorer is restarted and 'libraries' pops up, the most annoying thing

Thanks

metalhammer said:

- explorer.exe is restarted when I close (taskkill) my front end (my1st_app.exe in the excerpt below)

so one question is why closing an app causes the system to restart explorer.exe ?

So you have verified this is the only app causing this problem?

If it’s an isolated problem with the app, this might not be something we can easily assist you with without taking a closer look at the app.

Tbh I didn't verify this is the only app behaving like this

... anyway, 2nd app doesn't spawn anything when closing so probably you're right

I'll need to talk to the developers and check with them if the code calls something on closure which could lead to the explorer process respawn.

I'll keep you posted if I'll be able to make any progress

Cheers :)

Developers just confirmed the application restarts explorer.exe on exit, should this process not be running

Thanks man for the help, it looks we found why it didn't stay dead

Cheers