35 Explorer.exe Processes in Task Manager

  • Thread starter Thread starter pbl
  • Start date Start date
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pbl

I have been having huge file management problems with continued lockups once
opened to the point that I cannot move or delete the file until I restart. I
came across a little app called Unlocker that informs what process is
locking the file and then allows you to 'unlock' or kill it. 99% of the time
the culprit is explorer.exe. I have been keeping an eye on it through Task
Manager and it is not uncommon for me to have up to 35 instances of
explorer.exe running and chewing up my RAM. It seems like the process never
terminates and a new instance is generated each time explorer.exe is
required.

Is this a known or common bug? Are there any solutions? I have done some
serious Googling and found little to help. Thanks.
 
pbl said:
I have been having huge file management problems with continued lockups
once opened to the point that I cannot move or delete the file until I
restart. I came across a little app called Unlocker that informs what
process is locking the file and then allows you to 'unlock' or kill it.
99% of the time the culprit is explorer.exe. I have been keeping an eye on
it through Task Manager and it is not uncommon for me to have up to 35
instances of explorer.exe running and chewing up my RAM. It seems like the
process never terminates and a new instance is generated each time
explorer.exe is required.
Click to expand...
Go through these general malware removal steps systematically -
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Include scanning with David Lipman's Multi_AV and follow instructions to do
all scans in Safe Mode. Please see the special Notes regarding using
Multi_AV in Vista.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Multi-AV - instructions
http://tinyurl.com/yoeru3 - download link and more instructions

You can also check to see if there are targeted removal steps for your
malware here:
Bleeping Computer removal how-to's -
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum55.html
Or here: Malwarebytes malware removal guides - http://tinyurl.com/5xrpft

When all else fails, get guided help. Choose one of the specialty forums
listed at the first link. Register and read its posting FAQ. PLEASE DO NOT
POST LOGS IN THE MS NEWSGROUPS.

Standard disclaimer: I can't see and test your computer myself, so these are
just suggestions based on many years of being a professional computer tech;
suggestions based on what you've written. You should not take my
suggestions as a definitive diagnosis. If you can't do the work yourself
(and there is no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea), take the
machine to a professional computer repair shop (not your local equivalent
of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). Please be aware that not all local shops
are skilled at removing malware and even if they are, your computer may be
so infested that Windows will need to be clean-installed. If possible, have
all your data backed up before you take the machine into a shop.

Malke
 
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