Solved 2 explorer.exe processes running

[abu46]

Hi guys

i have got 2 explorer.exe processes running on my system!!!

as far as i can remember it happened after i installed tune up utilities 2011 (but not sure about this)

can it be some kind of virus/malware??
am using MSE and comodo firewall

i have Unchecked “Launch folder windows in a separate process” option

 

[Brink]

Hello Abu,

This is normal. You will have one explorer.exe process by default, and another explorer.exe process for each separate Windows Explorer window you have opened. After you close a explorer window, the process will close as well after a bit.

This is this way so if one explorer window should crash or stop responding, it wouldn't affect the other separate explorer processes.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[abu46]

thanks for the reply shawn

but this is the first time i am seeing 2 explorer.exes running at the same time on my system and also eating away twice the ram

and you are right the 2nd one closes after some time of closing the explorer window

is there a way to stop windows creating 2 processes??

 

[StalkeR]

Hello there. This is what I'm doing when I see 2 explorer.exe processes. Open Task Manager and from View menu select Select Columns. There select CPU Time.
Now in Task Manager you'll see one thing more. That CPU Time show you how much time that process is active. So one explorer.exe is the original and it's starting with Windows(it have more time there) and another one should have less.
Highlighted is time that you need to know. This should help you with another processes,not just for explorer.exe

 

[abu46]

^^
thanks for the tip


also now when i open diff. explorere windows i see only 1 explorer.exe process!!

 

[StalkeR]

Yes,I also have the same.

 

[davehc]

Maybe it should be pointed out that the entire desktop is on of your Explorer processes. You can see this. Open the taskbar, right clcik the the explorer.exe and END process. Your entire desktop will disappear. DO NOT close the taskbar. Go up to FILE - New task (run) and type in Explorer.exe. Your desktop is back. This is the one, as Brink explained, which runs on startup and by default.