Multiple iexplorer.exe instances

[Jackie1]

I have the same issue, and understand it's part of how IE 8 works. But, like others, after I close all instances of IE, I still have some listed in my task manager, some very large, eating up memory. I'm still on IE 8. Would upgrading to 10 help, or no?

 

[UsernameIssues]

Uninstall all versions of Java that you might have and see if you can live without it.

Restart your computer.
Do not open IE.
Look in Task Manager to make sure the IE is not loaded.
Wait a few minutes - while doing nothing with the computer.
Re-check Task Manager to make sure the IE is not loaded.

Now open IE and do a few of your normal things.

Close IE and watch the Task Manager for a while - sometimes it can take several minutes for all instances of IE to leave RAM after you close the window(s). If they stay there overnight, you have a problem

I've not used IE10 - so I cannot speak to that, but I would suggest moving to at least IE9 after the tiny experiment above. If IE9 continues to hang around in RAM after closing the windows, then there are several more things we can try.

edit: what antivirus tool are you using?