More than 1 "explorer.exe"; won't close! Help!!!

[iWin7]

I'm not sure what happened, but I suddenly have 3 "explorer.exe" processes running. One of them has changing "CPU" and "Memory" values, so I know that one is working. However, the other 2 have a zero CPU value and a constant Memory value. Whenever I click on them and click "End process", nothing happens. The process doesn't close, the taskbar is still visible, etc. When I end the "explorer.exe" that is working, the taskbar disappears like it should. This wouldn't be a problem, but I can't open up an actual Explorer program like "Computer". I'm not sure what the problem is or how to solve it...


Any help is appreciated.

-P.S. in the Folder Options, the "Launch folder windows in a separate process" is unchecked.

 

[koolkat77]

what antivirus do you use? done a full scan with it? download Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows & Malwarebytes : Free anti-malware, anti-virus and spyware removal download and post back what you get.

 

[iWin7]

what antivirus do you use? done a full scan with it? download Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows & Malwarebytes : Free anti-malware, anti-virus and spyware removal download and post back what you get.

I would, but now the problem is worse and my internet won't work... It won't start my Network and Sharing Center.

 

[search53]

Just FYI, I'm quite disappointed with Window's Task Manager's ability (or lack thereof) to end processes. I use a program called Process Explorer. When you use this to "kill" a process, it dies quickly and effectively. This program can even be used to replace Task Manager. If you do this, CTRL-ALT-DEL will bring it up instead of Window's lame version.

Here's where you can get it - Win 7 compatible.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653

 

[whs]

What you have is one running IE .exe and 2 cached .exes which are actually not running but are on stand-by. The cached ones cannot be accessed. That is a completely normal behavior by the system. Superfetch does that for you in orfer to be able to pull an .exe out of cache rather than from disk the next time it is needed. That is a LOT faster.

Note that the cache is "available storage" and when needed, your cached .exes will have to give way. Have a look in Resource Monitor > Memory tab. The dark blue area is the cache.

 

[SIW2]

Really?

I only have one explorer.exe running.

There was a minor issue a while ago with one of my pe builds and the command interpreter I use.

Fixed it by

in the Folder Options, the "Launch folder windows in a separate process" is unchecked

Just as the OP tried.