Process Explorer
Process Explorer shows you which processes are active and which files and DLLs they have opened.
Developer Microsoft
Version 17.14 · Freeware · Windows
Looking for an alternative to Process Explorer?Compare Process Monitor, ESET SysInspector, ProcessKO.Compare alternativesIf Windows reports that a file is in use, Process Explorer will help you find the app involved. You can search for open files or libraries and see processes in a hierarchy. Additional details make visible under which account a process runs and which parts it uses. With that, the app goes beyond a simple list of CPU usage. You don't have to end processes right away to collect information. Forced closure of a process or handle can lose unsaved work or disrupt an app.
Compare Process Explorer with alternatives
For problems on Windows, it makes a difference whether you want to see what's going on right now or capture events over time. A process list can be seen more quickly; a trace contains more detail but requires filters. Don't just force system processes to stop when you're doing research alone.
| Software | What can it do? | Platform and licence |
|---|---|---|
| Process ExplorerYou are viewing this app | You will investigate processes, loaded parts and the relationship between processes in an extended task manager. This helps to find out which program uses a file or source. | WindowsFreeware |
| Process MonitorView this alternative | You record file, registry and process events with filters. You choose this if you want to find out what concrete actions a program performs. | WindowsFree to use |
| ESET SysInspectorView this alternative | You collect Windows system information about processes, drivers and connections for diagnosis. You thus evaluate an overview of the system state. | WindowsFree to use |
| ProcessKOView this alternative | You end selected processes with a small Windows tool. That is a targeted stop action and not an extensive process analysis. | WindowsFree to use |
Choose an alternative to explore its features, system requirements and download options.
Who is it for?
You can use it with fixed apps, occupied files or unclear process behavior. The details are especially useful if you are willing to examine system terms and file paths.
Getting started
Download and unpack the Sysinternals archive. Start Process Explorer and increase the rights only if the data of system processes is necessary for your research.
Privacy
Process names, user accounts and file paths are displayed locally. Do not share screenshots or exports uncontrolled: they may contain names of documents, accounts and internal network locations.
Good to know
The process information requires interpretation. High CPU consumption can be part of a legitimate task and an unknown process name does not prove contamination.
Please note
Close a program preferably via its own window. Forced termination and closing handles are investigative means at risk of loss of unsaved data.
Advantages
- You can find out which process a file uses.
- You see loaded DLLs and process relationships.
- You can investigate more specifically than with just a trial name.
Things to consider
- A lot of information requires technical interpretation.
- An unknown process is not automatically harmful.
- Forced interventions can cause work to be lost.
Download Process Explorer
The download page opens in a new tab.
Provider’s website · learn.microsoft.com
Version history
17.14
This release offers the current Sysinternals package for research into processes, open files and DLLs.
You can first collect information without ending processes. When sharing an overview, check if there are personal file paths in it.
Report a new version
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Our verdict
Process Explorer is a useful floor next to Task Manager. It especially helps you to find the cause of a problem; use the end functions only after you understand that cause.
Choose this tool when you want to connect an active app to a concrete problem, such as a file that stays in use. First check which process is included and try to close the app normally. That'll give you room to save work. To easily see which apps are open Task Manager can be sufficient. The extra depth is especially useful when you can also use that data to support a follow-up step.
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