Explorer.exe - Kill all processes at once

How to Kill all Explorer.exe Instances with One Move​

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to kill all running explorer.exe (windows explorer) windows at once in Vista and Windows 7. (in cases of crashes or debugging reasons)

   Note

The usual way of killing explorer.exe process is by opening Task Manager, going to the Processes tab , right clicking the explorer.exe instance and clicking "End Process".

Here's How:

1. Click on Start to open the Start Menu. Now while holding down the Ctrl+Shift key, right click on the power button, and click on Exit Explorer.





That's it. If you need to start explorer again though, the only way is to open task manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and goto File-> New task (run) and type explorer.exe {enter}





Limneos

Related Tutorials

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• How to Add "Restart Explorer" to the Desktop Context Menu

 

[garysgold]

Thanks limneos. Nice find.

Gary

 

[gendows]

great trick

Thank u

 

[Brainymidget]

Not sure if it's just me but when I did this and exited explorer, not only did it exit my explorer windows, it also completely closed out my taskbar, and made it a blank blue box. I was able to get it back by re-opening explorer as it said later in the tutorial.

 

[Timewarpone]

Is this how I delete IE 32 bit version or inactivate it?? I am running windows 7 ultimate 64 bit and I noticed there are 2 browsers. A 32 bit and 64 bit (which is located in all programs). The default when I click on the "E" 32 bit IE automatically pops up. My real question is: Should I be using 64bit IE all the time as my default since I am using 64 bit windows 7 ?? I found out which version I was using by clicking on the "Help" tab in the upper right hand corner of explorere then clicking on "About Internet Explorer" if no version is displayed than you are using the 32 bit version if using 64 bit then 64 bit version will be displayed. Does it really matter which version is used?? Shouldn't the 64 bit version be the default in Windows 7 64 bit?? Thanks in advance.

Timewarpone

 

[barbarossa2241]

I would like to ask if this is helpful/necessary before I do it ? Thanks ?

 

[Brink]

Barabarossa,

It's really only helpful in cases of when explorer.exe crashes, or for debugging reasons. Otherwise, there's really no need to.

 

[barbarossa2241]

Barabarossa,

It's really only helpful in cases of when explorer.exe crashes, or for debugging reasons. Otherwise, there's really no need to.

Did it but can enable it anytime. Thanks again Brink.

 

[alikhan]

Nice trick ......

 

[AnEv942]

11 Years later!

Thanks
Often when booting one or more notification icons don't show, usually just reboot.
Never pursued before but tired of having to reboot just to see an icon.
Followed above instructions (kill and restart explorer) and icons pop back up-nice!


One difference- I use Classic Start menu so requires holding control/shift while LEFT clicking start button to have 7 menu open with "Shut down" tab and then while still holding control/shift right click shut down tab to get the "Exit explorer" option.


Then tried from Task manager as mentioned- open T/M, right click on explorer.exe and select "End process". then click the File tab, select "New task/run" type in explorer.exe to restart -wala
Seems simpler as need to open task manger anyway. But either way re-inits notification icons. Wrote a simple txt file to desktop to remember sequence.

Then found a bat file by Brink that auto does this
sevenforums.com/tutorials/179436-explorer-add-restart-explorer-desktop-context-menu.html
Add Restart Explorer to Desktop Context Menu

 

[file3456]

On a related note, there's a program called AntiFreeze which can bring up a Task Manger in case the Windows built-in version doesn't work in case of a total crash or what ever. Resplendence Software - Free Downloads

I'm sure its executable could be given a keyboard shortcut. Just right click the shortcut on your desktop and chose properties. From withen there you can set a shortcut key combination.

Edit-

As of this post the download link to AntiFreeze is for WhySoSlow. I contacted them now to have that fixed. Will update if fixed.

Oh for God sakes. It says right there, "Now included with WhySoSlow." LOL!

Edit 2-

And now I see this in the image, but the keyboard shortcut will only run if WhySoSlow is running. So I gave the WhySoSlow shortcut a shortcut key.