Multiple instances of explorer.exe running

[k1n9k00p4]

Lately my computer has been opening more than one instance of explorer.exe. Sometimes it will open 2, but somtimes i press CTRL,ALT,DEL and look at the processes and there are 8 explorer.exe open!

This causes alot of problems like, my computer or any other windows wont open so basically explorer.exe wont open windows, and say if winamp is open and i click a song it will open a second version of winamp, it will open a new winamp for every instance of explorer.exe.

So does anybody know why my computer is running multiple explorer.exe's?

anyhelp will be appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[Nodsu]

There's a Windows tweak that makes it run a separate Explorer process for every Explorer window and the desktop. This way, when one of your Explorer windows hangs, you can kill the bad one and keep the rest.

Of course, it could be some malware.. Use some advanced utility like the Sysinternals Process Explorer to make sure all those explorer.exe are running from the proper location.

 

[Peddant]

This worked for somebody -

1. Double-Click on "My Computer"
2. Click "Tools" -- "Folder Options"
3. Click the | View | tab
4. Un-check [ ] Launch Folder Windows in a separate process
5. Click [OK]

 

[DelJo63]

just fyi: if you switch users, each will have its own explorer.exe running.
you can monitor multiple users with the Taskmanager Users tab.

if per chance you don't use switch users and catch another instance
of explorer.exe running under Admin, -- bad new Charley -- you've been hacked!