What does the explorer.exe file do?
The explorer.exe process is also known as Windows Explorer or, as the case may be, TJprojMain and is a part of Microsoft Windows Operating System or, as the case may be, Project1. This software is produced by Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) or, as the case may be, Intel (www.intel.com). An outdated or faulty version of explorer.exe can cause problems for your computer, ranging from slowness to error messages like these:
- Windows Explorer has stopped working. Windows is checking for a solution to the problem... (Windows 11, 10, 7)
- Windows Explorer has stopped working. A problem caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close the program and notify you if a solution is available. (Windows 11, 10, 7)
- explorer.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close.
- Access violation at address FFFFFFFF in module explorer.exe. Read of address 00000000.
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What you should know about explorer.exe Windows Explorer
explorer.exe is a Windows system file. Explorer.exe is found in the C:\Windows directory.
Frequently occurring are file sizes such as 2,871,808 bytes (15% of all these files), 1,033,728 bytes as well as 240 other variants.
This particular software is recognizable as a window and also on the taskbar. The Windows operating system requires this file. The original file was created by Microsoft. The file itself can therefore be considered trustworthy.
Explorer.exe is capable of interpret keystrokes.
For this reason, 1% of all experts consider this file to be a possible threat. The probability that it can cause harm is high.
explorer.exe is a system file used by Microsoft Windows, and appears in Windows Task Manager as a process named "Windows Explorer." However, some viruses and Trojans use the same file name to avoid detection (such as Win32:Rebhip-B [Trj] (recognized by Avast), as well as HEUR:Trojan.Win32.Generic (recognized by Kaspersky)).
For better security, scan your computer with two different antivirus engines. You can use free antivirus software for this purpose.
Objectionable files with the same file name have the following characteristics:
- A explorer.exe file has a 69% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of C:\Windows. In this case, the file size is usually 211,751 bytes (1% of all these files), 211,947 bytes as well as 94 other variants. Explorer.exe is no part of Microsoft Windows. This file contains no information about the producer or the version. Windows starts the process each time that the computer boots up (Registry: MACHINE\RunOnce, TaskScheduler, MACHINE\Run, Run, User Shell Folders, Winlogon\Shell). This process does not have a visible window, and does not appear on the taskbar. It is interesting to note that the file is placed in the Windows folder, even though it is not part of the operating system. Explorer.exe is capable of track other applications as well as record keystrokes.
- A explorer.exe file has a 66% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of "C:\Users\USERNAME". In this case, the file size is usually 99,840 bytes (4% of all these files), 179,200 bytes as well as 19 other variants. The file was developed by a so-called third party provider - and not by Microsoft. The application does not appear as a visible window, but only in Task Manager. When Windows starts, this process is automatically started at the same time (Registry: MACHINE\RunOnce, TaskScheduler, MACHINE\Run, Run, User Shell Folders, Winlogon\Shell). The file has none of the usual file information, such as version number, etc. Explorer.exe is capable of log keyboard entries as well as supervise programs.
- A explorer.exe file has a 67% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in the C:\Windows\System32 directory. In this case, the file size is usually 4,287,416 bytes (5% of all these files), 438,272 bytes as well as 16 other variants.
- A explorer.exe file has a 48% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of C:\. In this case, the file size is usually 2,872,320 bytes (33% of all these files), 1,729,024 bytes or, as the case may be, 7,351,808 bytes.
- A explorer.exe file has a 53% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of "C:\Program Files". In this case, the file size is usually 358,912 bytes (33% of all these files), 431,104 bytes or, as the case may be, 281,088 bytes.
- A explorer.exe file has a 37% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in the Windows Temp directory. In this case, the file size is usually 79,872 bytes (50% of all these files) or, as the case may be, 151,040 bytes.
- A explorer.exe file has a 74% certainty of being dangerous if it is found on C:\. In this case, the file size is usually 2,048 bytes.
- A explorer.exe file has a 72% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of C:\Windows\System32. In this case, the file size is usually 287,744 bytes.
If you see this file on your hard drive or in Windows Task Manager, please make sure that it is not a malicious variant. It's a fact that many trojans try to cloak their true identity by calling themselves explorer.exe. With the above information or by using tools like Security Task Manager you can determine if, in your case, the file is an undesirable variant.
What do other computer users say about explorer?
Windows Program Manager Alex | |
This is used file for All Windows OS. Its Microsoft's Own Created File. (further information...) MEHUL (KANUDO) | |
It's ESSENTIAL to showing the task bar, and is included in the installation package of every Windows OS I know of (Windows XP, Vista, and 7). (further information...) AlekTheNerd |
Summary: 168 users consider explorer.exe essential and should not be removed. 14 users consider it harmless. However, 22 users consider this to be a suspicious process and would like to get rid of it. For this reason, 55 users have already removed explorer.exe. source: file.net
How to uninstall the program or Project1
To remove Windows Explorer from your computer, please follow the manual instructions below.
- Click the Windows Start Button. You can find it in the lower-left corner of the taskbar.
- Type 'uninstall'.
- Click Add or remove programs.
- Now locate the program or Project1 in the list of displayed applications.
- Click the program, and then click Uninstall.


How to check if explorer.exe (Windows Explorer) was uninstalled completely
After uninstalling, restart your computer. Then open Windows Explorer and check if a folder with the software name still exists under C:\Program Files. Also, check the Registry for remnants of Windows Explorer. To do this, start Regedit, then look under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > Software for: Windows Explorer or the name of the producer. Keep in mind that only a computer professional should delete entries in the Windows Registry directly.
Last but not least
If Windows is not working properly, startup is slow, or explorer.exe is causing problems, a good Windows diagnostic tool may help. This is especially effective when it comes to older computers that have accumulated vast quantities of "garbage data" as the result of many software installs and uninstalls.
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