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IE8 iexplore.exe stays open in task manager despite end task (Read 27200 times)
Rad
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IE8 iexplore.exe stays open in task manager despite end task
Jun 6th, 2009 at 12:24am
 
I have IE8.

One of my Adobe prgms says to close internet explorer when I try to update using Adobe Updater.

So I close all IE windows.

Same error.

I look in task manager and see one iexplore.exe. So I end task, but the thing pops back open in a few secs .. with a size of ~3.2KB.

Adobe updater cannot update cuz I cannot close (or keep closed) iexplore.exe

I use Windows XP Home.

Any ideas?
 
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Christer
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Re: IE8 iexplore.exe stays open in task manager despite end task
Reply #1 - Jun 6th, 2009 at 1:05am
 
I run IE8 on Windows XP Professional and get two instances of iexplore.exe, both running under my username. Both go away and stay away when I close IE8.

I installed no betas or RC's but waited for the final release. How about you?

It seems like you have something running in the background, requiring iexplore.exe.
 

Old chinese proverb:
If I hear - I forget, If I see - I remember, If I do - I understand
 
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MrMagoo
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Re: IE8 iexplore.exe stays open in task manager despite end task
Reply #2 - Jun 6th, 2009 at 1:57am
 
Ick, sounds like spyware to me.  That's usually the only thing that will come back automatically when you close it (besides OS components, which should warn you before you kill them.) 

Have you tried killing the associated process?
 
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Re: IE8 iexplore.exe stays open in task manager despite end task
Reply #3 - Jun 6th, 2009 at 1:18pm
 
MrMagoo wrote on Jun 6th, 2009 at 1:57am:
Have you tried killing the associated process?

What is the associated process?
 
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Rad
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Re: IE8 iexplore.exe stays open in task manager despite end task
Reply #4 - Jun 6th, 2009 at 1:20pm
 
Christer wrote on Jun 6th, 2009 at 1:05am:
I installed no betas or RC's but waited for the final release. How about you?

Same here.

Christer wrote on Jun 6th, 2009 at 1:05am:
It seems like you have something running in the background, requiring iexplore.exe.

That seems a reasonable assumption. How to determine what it is?
 
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Re: IE8 iexplore.exe stays open in task manager despite end task
Reply #5 - Jun 6th, 2009 at 2:13pm
 
@
Rad

Quote:
What is the associated process?

Probably the process that's calling the program--the one that is bringing the ie program back to life!

Maybe one of these programs could help show the interdependency associated with the process in question:

Process Monitor v2.04


Process Explorer v11.33

Quote:
I look in task manager and see one iexplore.exe. So I end task, but the thing pops back open in a few secs .. with a size of ~3.2KB.

Where do you see that *size* info in Task Manager?

Quote:
Ick, sounds like spyware to me.  That's usually the only thing that will come back automatically when you close it

That would be my concern--or a virus, key-logger, or trojan!
 

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Re: IE8 iexplore.exe stays open in task manager despite end task
Reply #6 - Jun 6th, 2009 at 4:18pm
 
NightOwl wrote on Jun 6th, 2009 at 2:13pm:
Where do you see that *size* info in Task Manager?

Processes tab, list under column labeled 'Mem Usage"
 
 
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Rad
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Re: IE8 iexplore.exe stays open in task manager despite end task
Reply #7 - Jun 6th, 2009 at 6:26pm
 
I downloaded & installed Process Monitor but I think it provides too much info. Not sure where to start or what to look for. Hundreds of thousands of entries.

When I open 1 instance of IE8 (the Rad home page), I get 2 more instances of iexplore.exe in task manager (for a total of 3).

1 is ~ 20K, and the other ~55K.

When I close home page, these 2 go away, and I'm left with the 4K-ish iexplore.exe that won't go awaywith anything less than a tactical nuclear weapon.
 
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Re: IE8 iexplore.exe stays open in task manager despite end task
Reply #8 - Jun 6th, 2009 at 8:42pm
 
I'd say run msconfig and disable any start-up programs you don't need, then reboot and see if it helps.  Other than that, my bet is still on malware.
 
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Dan Goodell
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Re: IE8 iexplore.exe stays open in task manager despite end task
Reply #9 - Jun 7th, 2009 at 3:34am
 
I agree it sounds like malware.  Besides the usual startup locations and registry [Run] keys, there are a lot of other places malware can insert itself to avoid detection.

In addition to the other suggestions, I'd try SysInternals Autoruns.  Checkmark the 'Hide Microsoft Entries' option to screen out some of Windows' own stuff, and press F5 to refresh.

You might also try HiJackThis and look for a BHO somewhere, though Autoruns should probably do just as well.



 
 
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Rad
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Re: IE8 iexplore.exe stays open in task manager despite end task
Reply #10 - Jun 7th, 2009 at 12:26pm
 
here is my autoruns with ie tab selected. anything look hokey?

i do not know how to tell exactly what is launching ie .. even when no browser window is open.
 
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Re: IE8 iexplore.exe stays open in task manager despite end task
Reply #11 - Jun 7th, 2009 at 12:41pm
 
Here's the first part of my hijack. Anything look suspect?

Quote:
edited out
 
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Rad
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Re: IE8 iexplore.exe stays open in task manager despite end task
Reply #12 - Jun 7th, 2009 at 12:44pm
 
here's more hijack scan. forum is set to limit posts to 6k, so posting in parts:

Quote:
edited out
 
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Rad
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Re: IE8 iexplore.exe stays open in task manager despite end task
Reply #13 - Jun 7th, 2009 at 12:48pm
 
this should be last section:

Quote:
edited out
 
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Rad
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Re: IE8 iexplore.exe stays open in task manager despite end task
Reply #14 - Jun 7th, 2009 at 12:50pm
 
here's the last of it:

Quote:
edited out

End of file - 18304 bytes
 
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