Help, multiple explorer.exe's staying open.

WBFAir

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Hello all

First, running Win7 64bit on full & clean install to a new HD.

Recently I have been noticing on a few trips to task manager that some times I will have a whole bunch of explorer.exe's running even if I have nothing but my desktop.

In doing some checking I found that this is happening from each time I open a new explorer window but the issue is, when I close the window, the process still is running.

It even happens if say from my desktop, I open only one explorer window and close that one and then at open another single one and close it and on an on like this.

Simple put it seems like for any condition I open an explorer window, despite the fact that I have closed it, it doesn't really seem to close.

Note, in doing some Googling I have found that I am not alone with this an some have recommend to uncheck, "Launch folder in separate process" in folder options and I have tried this but it doesn't work.

So how do I get Windows 7 to stop running a process of explorer.exe once I have closed it as sometimes I have even seen up to 10 of these running and its really eating up my memory.

Thanks
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Homebuilt
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit (Full)
CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 965
Motherboard
Asus M4A78T-E
Memory
8G Corsair DDR3 CMD4GX3M2B1600C8
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Ed
Sound Card
Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro Series
Monitor(s) Displays
SAMSUNG 943BX Black 19" 5ms LCD
Screen Resolution
1024 x 768, 75Hz
Hard Drives
(4) WD Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM in 2 RAID

(2) WD 1 Tera's
PSU
Enermax Galaxy 1000w
Case
LianLi Full Alum.
Cooling
CPU: Artic-Cooling Freezer 46 Pro, Case: (6) 80mm
Keyboard
Microsoft Natural
Mouse
Microsoft Optical Wheel
After some research of my own, a few people have said this link fixed their problem

You could also try an sfc scannow
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Built
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate
CPU
AMD Athlon II X2 245 2.90Ghz
Motherboard
Some Gigabyte one, dont remember model
Memory
3.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
8800GTS 512MB
Sound Card
Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty
Monitor(s) Displays
Dual 22" widescreen
Hard Drives
250GB internal, 500GB internal
PSU
CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W Power Supply
Case
Thermalkake Tsunami Dream
Cooling
Thermaltake Golden Orb II
Keyboard
Saitek Eclipse 2
Mouse
Logitech MX518
Thanks for the reply Kirsch.

Truthfully though I'm not quite sure of all of that but just to show you what I have that opens for explorer, here is the command line:

%windir%\explorer.exe c:\

Basically I have this open just in the same way things did in 98, and I have removed all the other stuff from the nav pain so it just starts out at the top with my C directory just like 98 did.

As well to mention that this is the whole reason I use this as in my opinion, going directly to my files on my C drive is the whole point and where I need to go for 99% of my computers browsing so to go anywhere else would just mean more clicks to get me to there.

Thanks for the input though.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Homebuilt
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit (Full)
CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 965
Motherboard
Asus M4A78T-E
Memory
8G Corsair DDR3 CMD4GX3M2B1600C8
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Ed
Sound Card
Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro Series
Monitor(s) Displays
SAMSUNG 943BX Black 19" 5ms LCD
Screen Resolution
1024 x 768, 75Hz
Hard Drives
(4) WD Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM in 2 RAID

(2) WD 1 Tera's
PSU
Enermax Galaxy 1000w
Case
LianLi Full Alum.
Cooling
CPU: Artic-Cooling Freezer 46 Pro, Case: (6) 80mm
Keyboard
Microsoft Natural
Mouse
Microsoft Optical Wheel
wait wait wait.

Did you say you tried an old command from Windows 98? Things have changed my friend.

Have you actually tried anything that Kirsch recommended?
 

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba P775-S7100
OS
Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i5-2450M @2.5 GHz
Memory
6 GB DDR3 1333MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD 3000
Monitor(s) Displays
Built-in 17.3" LED; 22" Insignia NS-L22Q-10A
Screen Resolution
1600x900; 1360x768
Hard Drives
750 GB Hitachi
1TB Seagate FreeAgent External
Internet Speed
Verizon DSL Speed(Down/Up): 3360 Kbps / 800 Kbps
Antivirus
MSE and MBAM Pro
Browser
IE10
Well I wouldn't say this is a old command from 98, its just a command line that opens explorer to your C drives root instead of somewhere else.

This has been a old trick if you will ever since XP but I don't see any diff between that an the normal line to what 7 uses to open an explorer window.

Same thing just dif ultimate destination.

If you want to know more about it, try a Google of that line and see.

In fact I found this one: http://www.maxi-pedia.com/Windows+7+Explorer+default+folder

As well just to maybe explain better, I took a look at Kirsch's recommends but again, with the thousand times a day I need to get to my C drive, going through two or three more clicks is not a option.

Btw too, I tried a sfc/scannow and it went to 100% without mentioning any issues or reporting that it changed any thing.

Does this mean its fine?
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Homebuilt
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit (Full)
CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 965
Motherboard
Asus M4A78T-E
Memory
8G Corsair DDR3 CMD4GX3M2B1600C8
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Ed
Sound Card
Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro Series
Monitor(s) Displays
SAMSUNG 943BX Black 19" 5ms LCD
Screen Resolution
1024 x 768, 75Hz
Hard Drives
(4) WD Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM in 2 RAID

(2) WD 1 Tera's
PSU
Enermax Galaxy 1000w
Case
LianLi Full Alum.
Cooling
CPU: Artic-Cooling Freezer 46 Pro, Case: (6) 80mm
Keyboard
Microsoft Natural
Mouse
Microsoft Optical Wheel
First, sorry I misread your post. I can understand that it going straight to C as in the 98 days is more convenient. As I was, well, 8/9 when we had windows 98 I don't always remember those little things. Second, I remember their being a way to pin a particular folder to the taskbar, which might be even more convenient then what you have now (I'm trying to remember how to do it). Also, in explorer, click the triangle next to computer. Then click the triangle next to C. Then it takes the same amount of clicks to get to your stuff from now on. So, you can use Kirsch's fix, and still not be inconvenienced with having to make two extra clicks. Third, it's two extra clicks to begin with, instead of having 50 explorer processes.
 

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba P775-S7100
OS
Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i5-2450M @2.5 GHz
Memory
6 GB DDR3 1333MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD 3000
Monitor(s) Displays
Built-in 17.3" LED; 22" Insignia NS-L22Q-10A
Screen Resolution
1600x900; 1360x768
Hard Drives
750 GB Hitachi
1TB Seagate FreeAgent External
Internet Speed
Verizon DSL Speed(Down/Up): 3360 Kbps / 800 Kbps
Antivirus
MSE and MBAM Pro
Browser
IE10
First, sorry I misread your post. I can understand that it going straight to C as in the 98 days is more convenient. As I was, well, 8/9 when we had windows 98 I don't always remember those little things. Second, I remember their being a way to pin a particular folder to the taskbar, which might be even more convenient then what you have now (I'm trying to remember how to do it). Also, in explorer, click the triangle next to computer. Then click the triangle next to C. Then it takes the same amount of clicks to get to your stuff from now on. So, you can use Kirsch's fix, and still not be inconvenienced with having to make two extra clicks. Third, it's two extra clicks to begin with, instead of having 50 explorer processes.
NP, yeah actually I already have a shortcut for this in my quick launch so its nice and small and leaves more room for open programs icons.

Basically, I have gone to great lengths to make 7 look and be setup like 98, best an most efficient interface I feel and uses the least resources to do so.

At least for me that is in the way I use the machine.

Makes it a bit hard to post here for support sometimes though as I typically have a hard time getting others to know what I'm talking about, but that's understandable.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Homebuilt
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit (Full)
CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 965
Motherboard
Asus M4A78T-E
Memory
8G Corsair DDR3 CMD4GX3M2B1600C8
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Ed
Sound Card
Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro Series
Monitor(s) Displays
SAMSUNG 943BX Black 19" 5ms LCD
Screen Resolution
1024 x 768, 75Hz
Hard Drives
(4) WD Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM in 2 RAID

(2) WD 1 Tera's
PSU
Enermax Galaxy 1000w
Case
LianLi Full Alum.
Cooling
CPU: Artic-Cooling Freezer 46 Pro, Case: (6) 80mm
Keyboard
Microsoft Natural
Mouse
Microsoft Optical Wheel
I have to be honest. I have no clue why one would want 7 to look like 98. Maybe its a generational thing.

If I were you I'd use the fix Kirsch found. Otherwise, you will have to deal with having the problem. In this case at least, it's not a matter of people not wanting to help you. It's a matter of, if you won't take the advice, then there is nothing we can do for you. I have unsubscribed from a few threads where my advice was simply ignored, because there was nothing more I could tell the person to do, yet they kept asking for a different answer and refused to try the one I suggested. I'm not saying your as bad as some of them or that you are trying to be. Just that you have to make the choice. Is your mod more important, or you not having several explorer processes open.
 

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba P775-S7100
OS
Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i5-2450M @2.5 GHz
Memory
6 GB DDR3 1333MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD 3000
Monitor(s) Displays
Built-in 17.3" LED; 22" Insignia NS-L22Q-10A
Screen Resolution
1600x900; 1360x768
Hard Drives
750 GB Hitachi
1TB Seagate FreeAgent External
Internet Speed
Verizon DSL Speed(Down/Up): 3360 Kbps / 800 Kbps
Antivirus
MSE and MBAM Pro
Browser
IE10
Really Pete, don't take this so personally.

I guess my question here is, do you know if this shortcut I am using is the cause for this problem?

Have you tried it and found this to be the case?

Now while I don't have time to become completely educated on this it seems to me that this trick has been around for a long time and no one is reporting that it is causing this issue for them.

Heck it's even outlined in that link I posted above to do this for 7 as well as a whole bunch of other options, so don't you think if this and those were a problem, it would have been noticed?

So visa vie, its not that I don't want to do things your way its just I don't see how my way is the cause for the problem.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Homebuilt
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit (Full)
CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 965
Motherboard
Asus M4A78T-E
Memory
8G Corsair DDR3 CMD4GX3M2B1600C8
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Ed
Sound Card
Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro Series
Monitor(s) Displays
SAMSUNG 943BX Black 19" 5ms LCD
Screen Resolution
1024 x 768, 75Hz
Hard Drives
(4) WD Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM in 2 RAID

(2) WD 1 Tera's
PSU
Enermax Galaxy 1000w
Case
LianLi Full Alum.
Cooling
CPU: Artic-Cooling Freezer 46 Pro, Case: (6) 80mm
Keyboard
Microsoft Natural
Mouse
Microsoft Optical Wheel
I didn't say your trick caused the problem. Apparently, Kirsch's fix requires you to change it back and throw in an extra string of data. I don't want you to lose you mod. But it looks like you might have to, at least temporarily, to fix your current problem. I mean, I don't know how else to explain it. If the number of explorer processes built up, and you don't want to try anything else, why not just end them in Task Manager. If you do the wrong one you'll kill the taskbar, but then all you have to do is use run in Task Manger to bring it back by typing explorer in to it. I'm not taking it personally. I just don't understand why you, and so many others, ask for a solution then say you don't want to do it.
 

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba P775-S7100
OS
Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i5-2450M @2.5 GHz
Memory
6 GB DDR3 1333MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD 3000
Monitor(s) Displays
Built-in 17.3" LED; 22" Insignia NS-L22Q-10A
Screen Resolution
1600x900; 1360x768
Hard Drives
750 GB Hitachi
1TB Seagate FreeAgent External
Internet Speed
Verizon DSL Speed(Down/Up): 3360 Kbps / 800 Kbps
Antivirus
MSE and MBAM Pro
Browser
IE10
Well perhaps to explain.

What I am looking for is the "solution".

In other words, if this is not how it works for other that again visa-vie there is a problem on my machine that at least I might hope for, is correctable.

Basically and I mean this by no offense, but what you want me to do is more considered "a work around" and not the a solution to the problem.

And as well is a work around that includes actually more time consuming and troublesome steps.

So again not offense Pete but that is not what I'm looking for here.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Homebuilt
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit (Full)
CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 965
Motherboard
Asus M4A78T-E
Memory
8G Corsair DDR3 CMD4GX3M2B1600C8
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Ed
Sound Card
Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro Series
Monitor(s) Displays
SAMSUNG 943BX Black 19" 5ms LCD
Screen Resolution
1024 x 768, 75Hz
Hard Drives
(4) WD Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM in 2 RAID

(2) WD 1 Tera's
PSU
Enermax Galaxy 1000w
Case
LianLi Full Alum.
Cooling
CPU: Artic-Cooling Freezer 46 Pro, Case: (6) 80mm
Keyboard
Microsoft Natural
Mouse
Microsoft Optical Wheel

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba P775-S7100
OS
Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i5-2450M @2.5 GHz
Memory
6 GB DDR3 1333MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD 3000
Monitor(s) Displays
Built-in 17.3" LED; 22" Insignia NS-L22Q-10A
Screen Resolution
1600x900; 1360x768
Hard Drives
750 GB Hitachi
1TB Seagate FreeAgent External
Internet Speed
Verizon DSL Speed(Down/Up): 3360 Kbps / 800 Kbps
Antivirus
MSE and MBAM Pro
Browser
IE10
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