How to remove Explorer error

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Explorer.EXE file information

The process Windows Explorer or Windows Verkenner or Explorador de Windows or MFC Application or Åîåñåýíçóç ôùí Windows or Prùzkumník Windows or Windows Utforsker or Security Key Relauncher or Esplora risorse or Install or Software or Explorateur Windows or Resurssienhallinta or mIRC or Generic Host Process for Win32 Services or Microsoft Corporation or AutoPlay Application or Ïðîâîäíèê or w35 rygdfs gsdf or f weqtwey ergsdf fasdf as or Utforskaren or ewr ruy5t 867 ytjt rt egds wdf or trf ytyeu et6y3 rtg rtyh er or SoftActivity AM Client belongs to the software Microsoft Windows Operating System or Besturingssysteem Microsoft Windows or bsVirus or Microsoft¢ç Windows¢ç Operating System or explorer.exe or FTP Serv-U Daemon or MicrosoftR WindowsR Operating System or Betriebssystem Microsoft Windows or Sistema operativo Microsoft Windows or Proccess ID or MMB2_Client or Keystroke or Application or Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Operating System or Ëåéôïõñãéêü óýóôçìá Microsoft Windows or PHP or QoS Provider or Microsoft(R) Windows (R) 2000 Operating System or Operativsystemet Microsoft Windows or Dritek System Inc. ReLaunch or juegosex or Project or federico or Setup or Acelerador de Bitcomet or Sistema operacional Microsoft Windows or CopyA or Windows Explorer or Software or Microsoft(R) Windows (R) XP Operating System or Système d'exploitation Microsoft Windows or Microsoft Windows -käyttöjärjestelmä or WinSys or mIRC or fasdasdasdasad or 070324a or 8765789652345twert or mfr or wt or gfr or 4jt or tiaozhuan or Projekt or jizhong or twertwefg or bvdfeseaxbmtrerbxfdfeqwr3qw3fhmy5egrsdb or fdtyujferdfr45bfrthfvg5r4bdfythftrreqwqw or Windows Updater or AutoPlay Media Studio 6.0 Launcher or EXPLORER.EXE or cvers4eq43wabndwfacawesgf or Îïåðàöèîííàÿ ñèñòåìà Microsoft Windows or 3456347ghsfdgsdf hy wertyjr or 34 wr5y3 dfgsd jrtu56uilkj df or GIF Image or e rt54r t46u5trgh fgsd ds or ewr 4y 465uik sda wert hgwe or MySQL Servers and Clients or SoftActivity AM Client by Microsoft Corporation (www.microsoft.com) or Tastysoft SD or Cat Soft (www.cat-soft.com) or Cybersamurai INC or Home or Dritek System Inc (www.dritek.com.tw) or xxxx or mIRC Co. Ltd (www.mirc.com) or Êîðïîðàöèÿ Ìàéêðîñîôò or 345 gjh rkjyh hfdgsd sd or re e56iurtfg hdfkg kgfhdfhd or GIF Image or ert 4u6y8986789 ghj gdf or ret uyrt 54 234r gfds 546 hf ret e or aaaa or Deep Software Inc.

Description: File Explorer.EXE is located in the folder C:\Windows. Known file sizes on Windows XP are 1,032,192 bytes (65% of all occurrence), 1,033,216 bytes, 1,004,032 bytes, 1,000,960 bytes, 1,033,728 bytes, 2,923,520 bytes, 996,352 bytes, 2,927,104 bytes, 1,035,776 bytes, 1,075,200 bytes, 1,035,264 bytes, 1,880,576 bytes, 1,050,624 bytes, 1,032,704 bytes, 1,053,184 bytes, 1,009,664 bytes, 1,182,720 bytes, 1,028,608 bytes, 1,034,752 bytes, 975,872 bytes, 1,036,800 bytes, 1,005,056 bytes, 3,080,704 bytes, 1,423,360 bytes, 1,422,336 bytes, 2,710,528 bytes, 1,036,288 bytes, 1,183,744 bytes, 975,360 bytes, 1,402,880 bytes, 3,087,360 bytes, 1,245,184 bytes, 1,132,032 bytes, 1,402,368 bytes, 1,289,728 bytes, 1,031,680 bytes, 3,194,368 bytes, 2,821,632 bytes, 1,364,480 bytes, 1,015,296 bytes, 2,786,304 bytes, 2,427,904 bytes, 1,043,968 bytes, 1,042,944 bytes, 1,154,560 bytes, 974,336 bytes, 1,030,144 bytes, 1,440,256 bytes, 1,852,416 bytes, 1,881,600 bytes, 998,912 bytes, 1,007,104 bytes, 1,243,136 bytes, 1,039,360 bytes, 2,152,960 bytes, 1,572,352 bytes, 1,031,168 bytes, 5,506,560 bytes, 2,114,048 bytes, 1,006,592 bytes, 4,917,760 bytes, 1,003,520 bytes, 1,636,352 bytes, 1,403,904 bytes, 977,920 bytes, 2,711,552 bytes, 1,551,360 bytes, 1,052,672 bytes, 1,025,536 bytes, 976,896 bytes, 1,010,688 bytes, 949,760 bytes, 1,246,208 bytes, 1,229,312 bytes, 1,392,640 bytes, 1,039,872 bytes, 1,040,384 bytes, 1,007,616 bytes, 1,365,504 bytes, 3,747,840 bytes, 1,224,192 bytes, 1,060,864 bytes, 1,624,576 bytes, 1,034,240 bytes.
Explorer.EXE is a Windows core system file. The program has a visible window. Explorer.EXE is a Microsoft signed file. Explorer.EXE is able to record inputs. Therefore the technical security rating is 1% dangerous, however also read the users reviews.

Recommended: Identify Explorer.EXE related errors

If Explorer.EXE is located in the folder C:\Windows\System32 then the security rating is 79% dangerous. File size is 36,864 bytes (22% of all occurrence), 302,080 bytes, 15,360 bytes, 497,602 bytes, 41,984 bytes, 773,120 bytes, 15,872 bytes, 292,864 bytes, 610,304 bytes, 281,600 bytes, 56,320 bytes, 180,263 bytes, 84,480 bytes, 30,720 bytes, 937,984 bytes, 2,470,912 bytes, 283,057 bytes, 114,688 bytes, 1,073,152 bytes, 1,790,464 bytes, 29,351 bytes, 46,592 bytes, 102,400 bytes, 72,460 bytes, 16,384 bytes, 790,528 bytes, 29,965 bytes, 152,576 bytes, 106,496 bytes, 29,901 bytes, 81,920 bytes, 1,351,680 bytes, 507,352 bytes, 1,262,080 bytes, 24,938 bytes, 55,603 bytes, 274,025 bytes, 1,369,147 bytes, 172,032 bytes, 9,728 bytes, 1,658,382 bytes, 708,608 bytes, 64,540 bytes, 33,408 bytes, 35,415 bytes, 29,475 bytes, 78,848 bytes, 274,212 bytes, 29,426 bytes, 53,569 bytes, 1,318,442 bytes, 90,624 bytes, 30,477 bytes, 83,486 bytes, 482,814 bytes, 26,112 bytes, 117,248 bytes, 95,620 bytes, 40,960 bytes, 84,701 bytes, 29,364 bytes, 234,496 bytes, 700,416 bytes. The file is not a Windows core file. File Explorer.EXE is located in the Windows folder, but it is not a Windows core file. The program has no visible window. There is no file information. The program uses ports to connect to LAN or Internet. The application starts when Windows starts (see Registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ShellServiceObjectDelayLoad, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Userinit, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders, HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run). Explorer.EXE is able to hide itself, record inputs, monitor applications.

If Explorer.EXE is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows\System32 then the security rating is 75% dangerous. File size is 1,478,612 bytes (26% of all occurrence), 502,272 bytes, 470,528 bytes, 471,040 bytes, 20,259 bytes, 21,594 bytes, 425,984 bytes, 1,440,354 bytes, 21,588 bytes, 81,920 bytes, 13,731 bytes, 417,792 bytes, 24,507 bytes, 1,855,488 bytes, 13,859 bytes, 1,476,987 bytes, 24,559 bytes, 22,049 bytes, 24,550 bytes, 471,552 bytes, 24,577 bytes, 65,536 bytes, 421,888 bytes, 36,864 bytes, 4,867 bytes, 24,519 bytes, 21,569 bytes. It is a file without information about the maker of this file. The file is not a Windows system file. The program is not visible. The process starts when Windows starts (see Registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ShellServiceObjectDelayLoad, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Userinit, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders, HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run). Explorer.EXE is located in the Windows folder, but it is not a Windows core file. Explorer.EXE is able to record inputs, hide itself, monitor applications.

If Explorer.EXE is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows then the security rating is 83% dangerous. File size is 64,000 bytes (30% of all occurrence), 58,880 bytes, 62,976 bytes, 63,488 bytes, 27,383 bytes, 1,663,488 bytes, 32,848 bytes, 4,845,816 bytes, 64,512 bytes, 59,392 bytes, 34,304 bytes, 215,040 bytes, 471,040 bytes, 2,560 bytes, 66,560 bytes, 3,455,037 bytes.

If Explorer.EXE is located in a subfolder of "C:\Documents and Settings" then the security rating is 56% dangerous. File size is 583,680 bytes (15% of all occurrence), 59,392 bytes, 80,896 bytes, 124,928 bytes, 49,665 bytes, 80,384 bytes, 27,648 bytes, 150,016 bytes, 71,168 bytes, 77,824 bytes.

If Explorer.EXE is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files" then the security rating is 51% dangerous. File size is 45,056 bytes (57% of all occurrence), 744,960 bytes, 1,553,920 bytes, 390,144 bytes.

If Explorer.EXE is located in a subfolder of C:\ then the security rating is 20% dangerous. File size is 1,032,192 bytes (25% of all occurrence), 1,032,704 bytes, 1,050,624 bytes, 180,284 bytes.

If Explorer.EXE is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files\Common Files" then the security rating is 64% dangerous. File size is 651,264 bytes (25% of all occurrence), 118,784 bytes, 682,480 bytes, 401,408 bytes.

If Explorer.EXE is located in the folder "C:\Program Files" then the security rating is 91% dangerous. File size is 99,840 bytes (50% of all occurrence), 216,064 bytes.

If Explorer.EXE is located in the folder C:\Windows\System32\drivers then the security rating is 90% dangerous. File size is 384,740 bytes.

If Explorer.EXE is located in a subfolder of the "My Files" folder then the security rating is 54% dangerous. File size is 40,960 bytes.

External information from Paul Collins:
There are different files with the same name:

• "ccreg" definitely not required. Added by the ZCREW TROJAN! Note - the valid "explorer.exe" is located in C:\Windows or C:\Winnt whereas this one is located in a C:\Windows\System or C:\Winnt\System subdirectory
• "Explore" definitely not required. Added by the IRC.FLOOD.G TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Windows Explorer (explorer.exe) which would only be in startups if you added it manually
• "explorer" can run at start up. Starts Windows Explorer. Unless this has been manually added to startups or added by another program it could be a virus such as PE_BISTRO or DVLDR or MYDOOM.C. Note that it is also not the explorer.exe task/service you'll see when via CTRL+ALT+DEL
• "Explorer lptt01" definitely not required. Variant of the RapidBlaster parasite (in an "explorer" folder in Program Files). It is not recommended you manually uninstall RapidBlaster but use RapidBlaster Killer - see here. Note - this is not the legitimate Windows Explorer (explorer.exe) which would only be in startups if you added it manually!
• "loadMecq0" definitely not required. Added by the MUMUBOU.C TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Windows Explorer (explorer.exe) which would only be in startups if you added it manually
• "smsys" definitely not required. Added by the CLICKER-C TROJAN! Note - the valid "explorer.exe" is located in C:\Windows or C:\Winnt whereas this one is located in a C:\Windows\Template or C:\Winnt\Template subdirectory
• "Sustem" definitely not required. Added by an unidentified VIRUS, WORM or TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Windows Explorer (explorer.exe) which would only be in startups if you added it manually
• "system" definitely not required. Added by the GRAYBIRD TROJAN! Note - this is located in this is located in C:\Windows\System (Win9x/Me), C:\Winnt\System32 (WinNT/2K), or C:\Windows\System32 (WinXP) rather than the valid Windows Explorer which is located in C:\Windows or C:\Winnt
• "System Update2" definitely not required. Added by the AUTOTROJ-C TROJAN!
• "Windowz Update V2.0" definitely not required. Added by the YODO WORM! Note - the valid "explorer.exe" is located in C:\Windows or C:\Winnt whereas this one is located in the System32 sub-directory

Important: Some malware camouflage themselves as Explorer.EXE, particularly if they are located in c:\windows or c:\windows\system32 folder. Thus check the Explorer.EXE process on your pc whether it is pest. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. It is one of the Top Download Picks of 2005 of The Washington Post and PC World.

Links: Explorer.EXE, Explorer.EXE

Windows Defender blocked this (Windows/System32/updater/explorer.exe) program so i deleted permanently from pc and my pc works just fine
  Unruly  

Explorer.exe is the windows shell, it also provides your taskbar, icons, and file browsing windows. It is a critical piece of the Microsoft Windows Operating system and as such has more physical memory and CPU runtime dedicated to it. (this means that although TaskManager will show it taking up more of your CPU and RAM usage, it's not a bad thing, occasionally your system will become "bloated" with various add-ons and mal-ware, which will cause explorer.exe to use up more system resources.
  P Klose  

While you're looking for fixes you can set the priority of explorer.exe to low in task manager - it will still run high when system is idle but will let others have a look in - you might need to set each iExplorer process to real time/high as these may default to low also. Not a fix but will allow you to research the answer....
  Mike  

Explorer.exe, if found in the windows folder is absolutly harmless and is essential. It is the gui shell, without it you can't navigate through windows at all. Now if it is in any other folder than windows\ then it is probably spyware/adware/trojan/bad. However, you can also get bad programs attached to the legit explorer.exe, but take care of those files, not explorer.exe.
  Jarrod1937  

Heres something interesting. If you end this process via Task Manager you lose the file system in Windows (Windows Explorer, Task Bar, etc) and then you have to restart to get the functions back. BUT, try this trick. Open Firefox before ending the explorer.exe process. Now end the process. All icons on the desktop disappear, and you lose all function to browse your hard drive etc as explained before. Now instead of restarting, download a file to your desktop via Firefox, right click in the Downloads tool box (Ctrl + J if its not already open) and select Open Containing Folder. Good luck :)
  garrrr  

This file, yes, is basically THE Windows OS. Without it, you will, as stated above/below, not be able to see your desktop icons, nor your start bar. You can fix this by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL, then select the Applications tab, then click on the New Task... button. Then, just type in explorer and press enter. A very effective trojan technique is to name the said program as explorer.exe . This is impossible to do, though, if the file is in the C:\Windows folder, since that is where the REAL Windows shell is. In any other location, it is, without a doubt, a trojan. Stop+Delete it!
  Skylor Wold  

Windows Shell file (not harmful) If Duplicated (Can be harmful)
  opus  

Windows creates and explorer.exe on OS install notice no caps if you have 2 delete the one with caps.
  William Harrison III  

This is 100% not dangerous, unless found outside system32. If you have 2 or more in your processes, one of them is probably malicious. explorer.exe is pretty much windows explorer. You end this, the entire GUI for Windows Explorer ends.
  Rai  

explorer.exe was also using up 98% of my cpu & I keep getting pop ups saying I need to add spyware & malware protections. It's also added a shortcut to my desk top that I can not get rid of . I also deleted it from Task Manager, but just as quickly started it up again under new task on the applications tab. all you have to do is type in explorer.exe and your task bar & desk top reappear. But I now started getting pop ups :(
  Sheila  

This all started after trying to delete an AVI file. It said that the file was open elsewhere so I couldn't delete it. I opened its properties and found that an Unknown User had Full Rights to it, so I changed that and somehow found explorer.exe and opened it finding nothing. I then attempted to delete the program, but it wouldn't let me, then I applied the administrative rights and apparently deleted it. So now, I can log on but all i see is my cursor and a black screen. I cannot enter "explorer.exe" in task manager because apparently it doesn't exist. Nothing has helped yet......
  saddler  

Windows process. If you close, you can't use your taskbar 'til you restart.
  Eric  

my comp every time comes up with a error saying explorer.exe not found. i know that it is a needed file. how do i get it back? can i just copy and paste from another comp or do i have to reload windows? please help
  the bierman  

As said its a key part of the Windows Gui. By stopping and restarting it you will pick up the latest changes to the the registry. This saves a little time compared to rebooting your PC.
  Rob  

original explorer.exe was replaced in my system folder with a trojan. i had to load in "safe mode with comand prompt" and delete the file and replace it with a copy from a machine with the exact same version of windows(xp home 2600 sp2). careful if you do this because if you have no knowledge of DOS you are skrewed and the only other way of manipulating files is to load explorer .exe which you cant modify if its in memory plus if its been infected you dont want it running. its incredibly rare for the actual explorer.exe to be infected normally they just make a copy with a slightly different na
  kevan  

used 20,000+ KB of memory on my system
  mike  

More comments can be found here:
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Security Task Manager shows all running Windows tasks including embedded hidden functions (e.g. keyboard or browser monitoring, autostart entry). A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware, keylogger or a Trojan.

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