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explorer.exe


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What is it?
Windows Explorer - explorer.exe

What does it do?
explorer.exe - Below is a direct quote from Microsoft found on THIS page:

This is the user shell, which we see as the familiar taskbar, desktop, and so on. This process isn't as vital to the running of Windows as you might expect, and can be stopped (and restarted) from Task Manager, usually with no negative side effects on the system.

I have found that stopping this process is needed sometimes to stop some other processes.

More Info
More Info

Virus Precaution:
The original file from Microsoft gets placed at C:WINDOWSSystem32explorer.exe . if you find it anywhere else then you should be suspicious for sure.

You'll want to keep an eye on this google search for any known viruses. There's only one unique virus found through this search. All of the results are the various names of this single virus.

Deloder-A @ Sophos
MyDoom.B @ Symantec


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explorer.exe is a Windows System File and should be in a system directory. If it is then this application is safe.

Startup DB Entries:
[456655]"Added by the BIFROSE-DE TROJAN! Note - the legitimate Windows Explorer (same filename) is located in %Windir% and would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually! This one is located in %System%" b
[ccreg]"Added by the ZCREW BACKDOOR! Note - the legitimate Windows Explorer (same filename) is located in %Windir% and would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually! This one is located in %System%" b
[explorer]"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" u
[Explorer lptt01]"RapidBlaster variant (in a ""explorer"" folder in Program Files). Recommended you use RapidBlaster Killer to uninstall - see here.Note - this is not the legitimate Windows Explorer (explorer.exe) which would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually!" b
[Explorer ml097e]"RapidBlaster variant (in a ""explorer"" folder in Program Files). Recommended you use RapidBlaster Killer to uninstall - see here.Note - this is not the legitimate Windows Explorer (explorer.exe) which would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually!" b
[explorer.exe]"Added by the AGENT-EW or PWS-CY TROJANS! Note - the legitimate Windows Explorer (same filename) is located in %Windir% and would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually! This one is located in %System%" b
[Explorer6.1.EXE]Added by the MYDOOM.B WORM! Note - the legitimate Windows Explorer (same filename) is located in %Windir% and would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually! b
[ExplorerTask]"Added by the ZCREW-B BACKDOOR! Note - the legitimate Windows Explorer (same filename) is located in %Windir% and would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually! This one is located in the ""Fonts"" sub-folder" b
[IE configure]"Added by the LINEAGE-C TROJAN! Note - the legitimate Windows Explorer (same filename) is located in %Windir% and would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually!" b
[Loadab1]"Added by the LINEAGE-AJ TROJAN! Note - the legitimate Windows Explorer (same filename) is located in %Windir% and would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually! This one is located in %ProgramFiles%" b
[loadMecq0]"Added by the MUMUBOY.C TROJAN! Note - the legitimate Windows Explorer (same filename) is located in %Windir% and would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually! This one is located in %ProgramFiles%" b
[loadMect1]"Added by the LINEAGE-L TROJAN! Note - the legitimate Windows Explorer (same filename) is located in %Windir% and would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually! This one is located in %ProgramFiles%" b
[MicroCQ0]"Added by the LINEAGE-AK TROJAN! Note - the legitimate Windows Explorer (same filename) is located in %Windir% and would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually! This one is located in %ProgramFiles%" b
[Microsoft Automatic Updater]"Added by the RBOT-SG WORM! Note - the legitimate Windows Explorer (same filename) is located in %Windir% and would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually! This one is located in %System%" b
[MMB2]Added by an unidentified WORM or TROJAN! Note - the legitimate Windows Explorer (same filename) is located in %Windir% and would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually! This one is located in %System% b
[MsAudio]"Added by the LEGMIR-BY TROJAN! Note - the legitimate Windows Explorer (same filename) is located in %Windir% and would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually! This one is located in %System%" b
[RpcLocator]"Added by the RBOT-GSA WORM! Note - the legitimate Windows Explorer (same filename) is located in %Windir% and would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually! This one is located in %System%" b
[smsys]"Added by the CLICKER-C BACKDOOR! Note - the legitimate Windows Explorer (same filename) is located in %Windir% and would not normally appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you added it manually! This one is located in a ""Template"" subfolder" b
[Sustem]"Added by an unidentified VIRUSb
[SustemUpdate]"Added by an unidentified VIRUSb

Service DB Entries:
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Operat (Microsoft Corporation) Added by the Troj/Feutel-W TROJAN! Note: This is not the legitimate Windows Process (iexplore.exe) w
iexplorer (iexplorer) Added by the Troj/Singu-U TROJAN! Note: This trojan file is found in the System32 folder
aim.ex Added by the SDBOT.COW WORM! Read the link rootkit type stealth involved.

Disclaimer

Every attempt has been made to ensure the information about explorer.exe is accurate but alot of malware applications try to pose as valid applications. If it is something other than what was posted above please leave some feedback in the forum.
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User Comments
HeRMaNWhat if it is slightly different like ,Explorer.EXE as opposed to exporer.exe.
AntiXexplorer.exe is located at \WINDOWS\explorer.exe not \WINDOWS\System32\explorer.exe
davei found explorer.exe in my windows folder not my system32. plus this program uses all my CPU and alot of memory, and when i close it with the task manager i lose my taskbar and desktop
re: daveDave explorer.exe is the shell. =]
VoltaireYou know, when you get rid of it, the taskbar and desktop go away. Why? because it is IT.
1nsaneexplorer.exe for windows vista is effect the taskbar,start menu and make it blank and just left the one file folder..
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