Explorer.exe taking up obscene amount of memory

w00kiec00kie · April 27th, 2005

This only happens if I leave the computer on for a while...
so Explorer.exe starts off using about 18Kbyte of memory (~15Kbyte of virtual memory) then it shoots all the way up to about 55Kbyte of memory, while using about 70-80Kbyte of virtual memory.

I've scanned the computer for virus (I'm running Symantec Antivirus Corporate), and have also scanned the computer for Adwares, without any result.
Does anyone know why Explorer.exe decided to become all bloated?

I currently cannot tell if there is anthing wrong with my computer (no random popups, no random access to the internet, at least according to the Symantec Firewall)

Thanks for any tips.

**Xie** · April 27th, 2005

By Kbyte do you mean MB? With the way you have it stated now I don't see an issue at all. In fact your machine probably isn't even running with Explorer running that small amount of memory use.

**VenomXt** · April 27th, 2005

've scanned the computer for virus (I'm running Symantec Antivirus Corporate),

you did update it right?

Try the new micosoft antispyware beta. (seems to work best for me so far)

Any other fishy acctivity?

**Cosmin** · April 27th, 2005

ussualy takes the most part of v.m .. but .. who knows ..
are u a windows server 2003 user ?

w00kiec00kie · April 28th, 2005

oh sorry, I meant like 18k Kbyte, lol... yeah that would be like 18Mbyte, huh. Lol..

Im using windows xp pro right now... and the virus def. are updated at least twice a week, and same goes for the adware scans...

what's a VM? virtual machine?

Oh yeah, and Im also using the microsoft antispyware too.. (in addition to Ad-Aware)

**Xie** · April 28th, 2005

You could try running "sfc /scannow" from the command line. It scans your system files and replaces ones that are wack, perhaps Explorer is borked.

w00kiec00kie · April 28th, 2005

hey, when I used the sfc /scannow command, I was prompted for the windows xp cd. so I put in my xp pro sp2 slipstreamed cd, but it says that I put in an incorrect version of the cd?
do I have to put in all the hotfixes too?

**j79zlr** · April 28th, 2005

That memory usage is completely normal. explorer.exe is the windows shell, it does use alot of memory.

**perris** · April 28th, 2005

Originally Posted by j79zlr

That memory usage is completely normal. explorer.exe is the windows shell, it does use alot of memory.

and it will have wild swings in memory useage

**Bootsy** · April 28th, 2005

Agreed, explorer is a memory hog sometimes.

w00kiec00kie · April 29th, 2005

That's kind of weird.. because on my laptop, it only uses about 18Mbyte -> 20Mbyte...

I guess I have to live with it?

Does anyone know how to use the sfc command??

**Xie** · April 29th, 2005

Originally Posted by w00kiec00kie

Does anyone know how to use the sfc command??

Yep sfc info.

April 27th, 2005	Top \| #1
w00kiec00kie OSNN Addict Joined: July 2004 Posts: 81 Reputation: 0 Power: 97	Explorer.exe taking up obscene amount of memory This only happens if I leave the computer on for a while... so Explorer.exe starts off using about 18Kbyte of memory (~15Kbyte of virtual memory) then it shoots all the way up to about 55Kbyte of memory, while using about 70-80Kbyte of virtual memory. I've scanned the computer for virus (I'm running Symantec Antivirus Corporate), and have also scanned the computer for Adwares, without any result. Does anyone know why Explorer.exe decided to become all bloated? I currently cannot tell if there is anthing wrong with my computer (no random popups, no random access to the internet, at least according to the Symantec Firewall) Thanks for any tips. Computer specs are.. interesting, but yeah.

April 27th, 2005	Top \| #2
Xie - geek - Joined: September 2003 Location: NY, USA Posts: 5,224 Reputation: 1730 Power: 175	Re: Explorer.exe taking up obscene amount of memory By Kbyte do you mean MB? With the way you have it stated now I don't see an issue at all. In fact your machine probably isn't even running with Explorer running that small amount of memory use. tehgeek \| tehgeek \| geeking out to tech \| IRC \| Parted Magic \| A+ Certified Professional

April 27th, 2005	Top \| #3
VenomXt Blame me for the RAZR's Joined: March 2004 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,442 Reputation: 1240 Power: 146	Re: Explorer.exe taking up obscene amount of memory 've scanned the computer for virus (I'm running Symantec Antivirus Corporate), you did update it right? Try the new micosoft antispyware beta. (seems to work best for me so far) Any other fishy acctivity? www.venomxt.com

April 27th, 2005	Top \| #4
Cosmin Graphic Designer Joined: March 2002 Location: Romania Posts: 1,633 Reputation: 110 Power: 141	Re: Explorer.exe taking up obscene amount of memory ussualy takes the most part of v.m .. but .. who knows .. are u a windows server 2003 user ?

April 28th, 2005	Top \| #5
w00kiec00kie OSNN Addict Joined: July 2004 Posts: 81 Reputation: 0 Power: 97	Re: Explorer.exe taking up obscene amount of memory oh sorry, I meant like 18k Kbyte, lol... yeah that would be like 18Mbyte, huh. Lol.. Im using windows xp pro right now... and the virus def. are updated at least twice a week, and same goes for the adware scans... what's a VM? virtual machine? Oh yeah, and Im also using the microsoft antispyware too.. (in addition to Ad-Aware) Computer specs are.. interesting, but yeah.

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April 28th, 2005	Top \| #6
Xie - geek - Joined: September 2003 Location: NY, USA Posts: 5,224 Reputation: 1730 Power: 175	Re: Explorer.exe taking up obscene amount of memory You could try running "sfc /scannow" from the command line. It scans your system files and replaces ones that are wack, perhaps Explorer is borked. tehgeek \| tehgeek \| geeking out to tech \| IRC \| Parted Magic \| A+ Certified Professional

April 28th, 2005	Top \| #7
w00kiec00kie OSNN Addict Joined: July 2004 Posts: 81 Reputation: 0 Power: 97	Re: Explorer.exe taking up obscene amount of memory hey, when I used the sfc /scannow command, I was prompted for the windows xp cd. so I put in my xp pro sp2 slipstreamed cd, but it says that I put in an incorrect version of the cd? do I have to put in all the hotfixes too? Computer specs are.. interesting, but yeah.

April 28th, 2005	Top \| #8
j79zlr Glaanies script monkey Joined: February 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,725 Reputation: 1520 Power: 155	Re: Explorer.exe taking up obscene amount of memory That memory usage is completely normal. explorer.exe is the windows shell, it does use alot of memory. http://www.j79zlr.com

April 28th, 2005	Top \| #9
perris OSNN Godlike Veteran Joined: January 2002 Location: new york Posts: 12,258 Reputation: 4333 Power: 291	Re: Explorer.exe taking up obscene amount of memory Originally Posted by j79zlr That memory usage is completely normal. explorer.exe is the windows shell, it does use alot of memory. and it will have wild swings in memory useage IT'S NOT WHAT YOU'VE DONE IT'S WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO

April 28th, 2005	Top \| #10
Bootsy Huh? Joined: February 2004 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 1,124 Reputation: 50 Power: 112	Re: Explorer.exe taking up obscene amount of memory Agreed, explorer is a memory hog sometimes.

April 29th, 2005	Top \| #11
w00kiec00kie OSNN Addict Joined: July 2004 Posts: 81 Reputation: 0 Power: 97	Re: Explorer.exe taking up obscene amount of memory That's kind of weird.. because on my laptop, it only uses about 18Mbyte -> 20Mbyte... I guess I have to live with it? Does anyone know how to use the sfc command?? Computer specs are.. interesting, but yeah.

April 29th, 2005	Top \| #12
Xie - geek - Joined: September 2003 Location: NY, USA Posts: 5,224 Reputation: 1730 Power: 175	Re: Explorer.exe taking up obscene amount of memory Originally Posted by w00kiec00kie Does anyone know how to use the sfc command?? Yep sfc info. tehgeek \| tehgeek \| geeking out to tech \| IRC \| Parted Magic \| A+ Certified Professional

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