Hundreds of explorer.exe running in Windows 7

[Eber]

I have recently switched to Windows 7 from Windows Vista. Now, from a couple of days when I open the task manager, I can see hundreds of explorer.exe running in Windows 7. This happens even when I have only 5 applications along with the 3 built-in running running in the background. The RAM becomes overloaded at about 40%, that is a 5GB load. From among the 4 cores, one remains at 40% and the other at 10%. Somebody kindly help with some solutions to this problem.

[Lillebror]

If hundreds of explorer.exe running in Windows 7, then it means that they are actually trojans that are disguised into explorer.exe and spreading infections and malicious codes on your system. They must have entered your system through some infected link that you might have accidentally clicked on. I suggest you to use "Spyware Doctor", which is a good anti-malware used to curb such infections. You system can ultimately crash if such a load comes on it.

[Calvin K]

Check out for the version of the operating system that you have installed. The problems like hundreds of explorer.exe running in Windows 7 are generally seen in the cases of BETA VERSION operating systems. I guess that there has been the same problem with you because of which the operating system is giving such a high load on your machine. Install the genuine FULL VERSION of Windows 7 operating system to stop the problem.

[Dr. V]

To stop hundreds of explorer.exe running in Windows 7, you just have to follow the steps given below:

1. You have to forcefully kill/terminate all the explorer.exe processes that are running through the task manager.
2. You will note that the following will be stopped and the other applications will be running as before:
   
   • START MENU
   • TASKBAR
   • DESKTOP
3. A new process of explore.exe has to be started through the task manager.
4. In the TASK MANAGER, go to File, then select NEW TASK(RUN).
5. Here, enter Explorer.exe and then, press enter.

[Devasis]

1. The start menu has to be started by pressing CTRL+ESC.
2. Then the focus has to be set to the power button by pressing the right arrow.
3. The CTRL and SHIFT has to be pressed and held, along with the press of the application key.
4. A mouse pointer's image is there on the menu. When the key is depressed, it will show the shortcut window of the selected item.
5. The pop-up menu that has the EXIT EXPLORER command is opened now.
6. On the keyboard, press X and run the command:
   
   • {CTRL} {ESC} {RIGHT} ({CTRL} {SHIFT}) {APPKEY} {X} OR
   • {CTRL} {ESC} {RIGHT} ({CTRL} {SHIFT}) {F10} {X}
7. The hundreds of explorer.exe running in Windows 7 will be terminated. Now you have to start a new explorer process manually.

[Solomon]

When you have queries like hundreds of explorer.exe running in Windows 7, then the following typical technique is used to solve them:

• First press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC.
• After that go to File, then New Task.
• Now, type REGEDIT.
• Next go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image Execution Options\
• You will find explorer.exe there in the list. You ahve to export it by right ckicking on it..
• Delete the key for debugger on the right hand side.