Comments for Why are there duplicate entries in Task Manager, and how do I clean it out?

Comment from Cammy on 2011-11-30

2011-11-30T21:05:25Z

I am no troll but I have to dispute the author's statement that the reason for multiple browser.exe entries running in the Task Mgr window is just the result of using Start to open a new window or tab for the browser. I am seeing these multiples constantly for firefox and IE and I Never use Start to open a new window. Good suggestions on how to quickly close these unwelcome multiples would be most appreciated.

Since the time this article was written browsers have taken to using multiple instances under the hood. Some will set up another instance for each tab, for example, which prevents one tab's crash from taking down all the others. I don't recommend trying to close or kill the processes simply because they're probably there legitimately.

30-Nov-2011

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Comment from StevenX on 2011-06-26

2011-06-26T07:10:58Z

I found this forum with a Google search. I have the same problem with IE8 (and now IE9) in Vista 32bit. It suddenly gets really slow to the point of nearly stopping, like one byte's going though at a time...I open Task Manager (which, as a result of the slowdown, takes about 45 seconds) and there are almost always 3 IEs open there when I only opened one, and one of them has a huge memory size (and growing). After reading the first answer I left them alone to let them close on their own. 10 minutes later I was still waiting. If you delete the one with the largest memory size, it disappears and the others do behind it. As it stands I have to run Task Manager about every third time I use my computer to dislodge the IEs. They do not, I repeat, not leave on their own (like that Thanksgiving house guest...). They do the same thing on a friend's computer.

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Comment from joe on 2011-02-28

2011-03-01T06:49:56Z

some of the comment writers here seem to be trolls attacking the author for trying to explain something which is really very simple and logical, but which apparently baffle the comment writers to the point of being somewhat mad and venting on a website at someone trying to help them.

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Comment from Valerie Mckinley on 2010-07-16

2010-07-16T23:37:24Z

I will see your "multiple" instances of Internet Explorer running after only opening one and raise you two, count them, two Windows Explorers running! And I didnt ask for either one of them. A solution to this madness would be very appreciated. Other sites are dancing around the problem too. Is there no solution? Am I to continue running my computer on 4 resources, because Internet Explorer is running the remaining 96?

It's not a problem that needs to be fixed, so there's no "solution". Internet Explorer runs multiple instances on purpose. Windows Explorer frequently does as well. (In addition to any Windows Explorer that you might have open, it's the same program - explorer.exe - that "is" your Windows Start Meny and Task Bar).

I'm afraid I don't understand your 4/96 resources comment.

17-Jul-2010

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Comment from Nancy Pakkala on 2010-05-15

2010-05-15T17:45:18Z

I just read your article about programs replicating themselves in task manager. My problem is that task manager is replicating itself in that window. It makes everything run so slow that you can't do anything else. I have an E Machine with Windows XP and we're on broadband. I have the AOL special edition of McAfee and it updates 2-3 times a day. Also have a firewall thru AOL and windows and Lavasoft Adaware and Registry Patrol. Any ideas?
Nancy

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Comment from slash2 on 2010-04-15

2010-04-15T17:58:07Z

i just put a fresh install of xp pro on my computer.ie8 when i open it brings up two iexplorer.exe's when i close ie8 they both stay running if i reopen ie8 the first two iexplorer.exe's stay running and it adds two more and continues on like this until theres about 20 of them running and no web pages will load...i can manually shut them down in the task manager but if i dont ....its a real pain in the neck lol...the problem started before3 i did the fresh install of ex which is why i took the chance,lost everything and ran killdisk and reinstalled new xp

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A comment on: Why are there duplicate entries in Task Manager, and how do I clean it out?

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Comment from Grayskin on 2010-02-24

2010-02-24T21:28:47Z

no no no no no. You aren't understanding the problem here. The problem is that processes loaded into memory aren't deleted after the cpu reached the processes eop pointer; or two copies are allocated into memory instead of one. For example, IE8 is run ONCE. TaskMgr shows two processes of IE8 NOT one. Example 2: (Only one copy of WORD is in mem); WORD is closed (both explictly and automated); WORD is still in memory. Explain that?
IMO it's some Windows Update BS, cuz i certainly don't remember this problem before.

No, no, no yourself. IE8 runs two processes. That's a change from IE7. Word and Outlook are also known to remain in memory unless closed exactly the right way. This is not some mysterious plot - mysterious software design, perhaps, but not as horrific as people make it out to be.

25-Feb-2010

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Comment from Donna on 2009-12-31

2010-01-01T06:43:31Z

I read the answer you gave above about multiple IEXPLORER processes in task manager, but it happens to me even when I only have one IE open. As a matter of fact, it is happening right now and I only have this webpage open, no other windows or tabs. What could be causing it then?

Also, I have two of the following processes running at the same time in task manager: E_S4I2H1.EXE.
Why?

IE8 appears to run multiple processes even if you're viewing a single page. No idea why there are two, but E_S4I2H1.EXE is apparently a status monitor program for Epson printers.

01-Jan-2010

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Comment from Amazon Sister on 2009-08-23

2009-08-23T08:49:26Z

A well written article Sir. Always appriciated.

You've covered basic processes that tend to run multuple instances & a few apps that run simultanious processs. So I'm thinking Info on instances not falling within these parameters would logicly begin on the next page right? :-> I just can't seem to find the 'next page' link!

"I have done my homework, knowing that most q's have already been answered somewhere if one bothers to look! But after reading umpteen pages of info, I find nothing I'd not already covered. I've also ran ALL the 'ware/av/etc.. Hijackthis shows nothing new. Reg apps find 'nada'. I've even manually checked Registry..did I say the R word? Rats! "We know a guy once who said the word registry, and three days later he was hit by a bus." (tweakomatic)

Here's my problem: Running Xp HomeEd_sp3. When browsing w IE8, only 1 window open (tabbed browsing,). I show 2/3/4 iexplore.exe entries in Task Manager. I am accessing the web by tether with my cellular phone (samsung sch-r410 on metropcs, Free Internet, Yeah!!), which I would suspect if this were not a new problem. I updated from IE7 about a month ago but only noticed the multiple processes about 10 days ago.

Closing window (all tabs), results in only 1 process closing. Even 'end process tree' closes only the highlighted process. Each instance shows similar CPU and memory usage, handles/thread counts ALL HIGH #'S, I/O writes.. Lets just say they arn't just redundant entries.. Memory usage high yet networking tab shows no unexpl'd activity.

Anyway.. Finally resigned to asking for help, I chose to bother you. I'm hoping that your High Google Ranking is equal to your 'geeky guru-ness' (as she crumples 2 floor, head bowed)...

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Comment from Ron S on 2009-05-27

2009-05-28T00:35:24Z

I am running IE7 on an XP machine & when I have more than one tab open it uses alot of memory, as does the numerous svchost.exe processes. I have 1.5 GB memory on the Sony Vaio, but the TaskManager frequently shows I am using 100%, or very close to it, memory making the computer unuseable. Also, when I shut it down I frequently find programs "hanging" like Outlook, MS Money, etc. Consequently, I frequently will close some programs running in the background, (systray), that I don't want to use, etc. But I still run into problems at times. I think IE6 is less memory intensive then IE7, and I am sorry I upgraded to it. Any suggestions on the 100% memory useage would be greatly appreciated!!!!

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Comment from Michael on 2009-05-21

2009-05-22T03:42:34Z

IE7 does not create a new process for each tab. Neither does IE8. The rules for IE processes changed drastically between IE7 and IE8.

I don't fully understand the rules for IE8, but its definitely not a simple one to one relationship between a tab and a process. For example, Java gets its own process in IE8.

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Comment from RJ on 2009-05-20

2009-05-20T16:45:13Z

IE7 and higher will open a new process for each additional tab that you create, as well. I think it just now makes all windows a new process, for simplicity.

As well, I use Outlook 2003 at my work and it seems to close itself entirely if you use the X button. At least, it won't continue to tie up any files it had open (like PSTs), though it takes a few seconds after the window closes before it really lets go.

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A comment on: Why are there duplicate entries in Task Manager, and how do I clean it out?

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Comment from ryan on 2009-05-19

2009-05-19T20:18:45Z

firefox always has NEW WINDWOWS, it will never open another copy :) sometimes it yells at you to close the existing app first...but only when its not responding

Not quite true. FireFox opens seperate processes for me, for example, when I click on the FireFox shortcut.

- Leo
20-May-2009

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Comment from anon- on 2009-05-19

2009-05-19T17:42:51Z

Event viewer.
Multiples that look the same.
Click on either one and PROCESS DOES **NOT** CLOSE.
Try this multiple times, on both even clicking on the 'do you want to close' dialog box - still not close.
Suggestions??

It's unclear what application you're closing - event viewer? It should close, but there are processes that cannot be closed because they are critical to system operation.

- Leo
20-May-2009

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A comment on: Why are there duplicate entries in Task Manager, and how do I clean it out?

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