explore.exe

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Key:

"Y" - Normally leave to run at start-up
"N" - Not required - typically infrequently used tasks that can be started manually if necessary
"U" - User's choice - depends whether a user deems it necessary
"X" - Definitely not required - typically viruses, spyware, adware and "resource hogs"
"?" - Unknown

	Startup Name	Process Name	Details
X	$WindowsRegKey%update	IEXPLORE.EXE	"Added by the RBOT-EZ WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	10Base-T	explore.exe	"Added by the AGOBOT-IJ WORM!"
X	cmssapp	iexplore.exe	"Added by the BANCBAN-GF TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %Windir%"
X	Config Loadation	iEEexplore.exe	"Added by the SDBOT.H TROJAN!"
X	Configuration Loader	lexplore.exe	"Added by the RBOT-AGX WORM! Note - the executable is spelt with a lower case ""L"" rather than an lower or upper case ""i"" which is the case with Internet Explorer"
X	Configuration Loader	IEXPLORE.EXE	"Added by the SDBOT-KW WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	Configuration Loader	explore.exe	"Added by the GAOBOT.GW WORM!"
X	Configuration Loadr	iexplore.exee	Added by an unidentified WORM or TROJAN!
X	explore	explore.exe	"Added by any number of VIRUSES
X	Explore	explore.exe	Adult content dialler
X	explore manager	explore.exe	"Added by the DONBOMB.A TROJAN!"
X	explore.exe	Explore.exe	"Added by the GRAYBIRD.G TROJAN!"
X	EXPLORER MICROSOFT SYSTEM	explore.exe	"Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM!"
X	Explorer Updater	IEXPLORE.exe	"Added by the SDBOT-WO WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	filename process	explore.exe	"Added by the AGOBOT-QN WORM!"
X	FireExplore Update	FireExplore.exe	"Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM!"
X	Iexplore	iexplore.exe	"Added by the BOXER TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	IEXPLORE	iexplore.exe	"Added by the APHEXDOOR TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %Windir%"
X	IExplore	IEXPLORE.EXE	"Added by the DLOADER-YZ TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in a ""Custom"" subfolder"
X	IEXPLORE	IEXPLORE.EXE	"Added by the BANKER-BWE TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	Iexplore Services	iexplore.exe	"Added by the LITHIUM BACKDOOR! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup!"
X	IEXPLORE.EXE	[path to trojan]	"Added by the BANCOS-CJ TROJAN!"
X	IEXPLORE.EXE	goot.exe	"Added by the BIFROSE-C TROJAN!"
X	Internet Explore Microsoft	lEXPLORE.EXE	"Added by the RBOT-AOF WORM! Note - the executable is spelt with a lower case ""L"" rather than an lower or upper case ""i"" which is the case with Internet Explorer"
X	Internet Explorer	IEXPLORE.EXE	"Added by the RBOT-EY WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	Internet Explorer Configuration	IEXPLORE.EXE	"Added by the SDBOT-UL WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	Internet Explorer6	IEexplore.exe	"Added by the RBOT.AGC WORM. Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	Internet Explorer6.0	IEXPLORE.EXE	"Added by the RBOT.ENZ WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	Intespention	IEXPLORE.exe	"Added by the FORBOT-FL WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	Java Runtimes	iexplore.exe	"Added by the KILLAV.B WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This file is located in a %Windir%\Java\Java folder"
X	KernellApps	lexplore.exe	"Added by the BANCBAN-BS TROJAN! Note - the executable is spelt with a lower case ""L"" rather than an lower or upper case ""i"" which is the case with Internet Explorer"
X	lexplore	lexplore.exe	"Added by the BROPIA WORM! Note - the executable is spelt with a lower case ""L"" rather than an lower or upper case ""i"" which is the case with Internet Explorer"
X	lnternet Update	lExplore.exe	"Added by the RBOT-GRH WORM! Note - the executable is spelt with a lower case ""L"" rather than an lower or upper case ""i"" which is the case with Internet Explorer"
X	Microsoft	iexplore.exe	"Added by the QQROB-R TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	Microsoft Explorer Service	msexplore.exe	"Added by the IRCBOT.AYB BACKDOOR!"
X	Microsoft IE	Iexplore.exe	"Added by the FORBOT-AG WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	Microsoft Internet Explorer	iexplore.exe	"Added by the POEBOT-J WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	Microsoft Internet Explorer	lEXPLORE.EXE	"Added by the RBOT-AMM WORM! Note - the executable is spelt with a lower case ""L"" rather than an lower or upper case ""i"" which is the case with Internet Explorer"
X	Microsoft Windows (D)	iexplore.exe	Identified as a variant of the TrojanSpy.Agent malware
X	Microsoft�	iexplore.exe	"Added by the IRCBOT-ACO TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%\dllcache"
X	MS Explorer	mexplore.exe	"Added by the YAHA.AE WORM!"
X	msmsgs.exe	IEXPLORE.EXE	"Added by the VB.FQX TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	nternet Explorer	iexplore.exe	"Added by the FORBOT-CT WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	OPTIMIZER	iexplore.exe	"Added by the EVEVINC BACKDOORNote - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	OPTIMIZER	iexplore.exe	"Added by the EVIVINC BACKDOOR! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	Program in Windows	IEXPLORE.exe	"Added by the LOVGATE.AB WORM!"
X	ravshell	1explore.exe	"Added by the DLOADER.MJF TROJAN!"
X	rx	explore.exe	"Added by the ZHENGTU-A TROJAN!"
X	Services	iexplore.exe	"Added by the MOGI WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	Shell	Explorer.exe iexplore.exe	"Added by the KIPIS-U WORM! Note - do not delete the legitimate Windows Explorer (explorer.exe) which is located in %Windir% and can be used to launch other files. The legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%\Microsoft"
X	Shell32	iexplore.exe	"Added by the IRCBOT-AY BACKDOOR! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	ShellRun32	iexplore.exe	"Added by the IRCBOT-AY BACKDOOR! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	slide	Iexplore.exe	"Added by the GASLIDE TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup!"
X	starter	iexplore.exe	"Added by the FORBOT-DU WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	System Configuration	iexplore.exe	"Added by the RANDEX.AD WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	System Information Manager	iexplore.exe	"Added by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	SystemExplorer	explore.exe	"Homepage hijacker - file located in the ""Services"" folder in Common Files"
X	Telephony Provider	Iexplore.exe	"Added by the FORBOT-DF BACKDOOR! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	Update Windows	EXPLORE.EXE	"Added by a variant of the SDBOT WORM!"
X	Update Windows	EXPLORE.EXE	"Added by a variant of the SDBOT WORM!"
X	Video Services	explore.exe	"Added by the GAOBOT.GL WORM!"
X	Window	explore.exe	"Added by the GAOBOT.ADW WORM!"
X	windows	iexplore.exe	"Added by the RBOT-UM WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	Windows Configuration System	IExplore.exe	"Added by the RBOT-DDG WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	windows Live Messenger	iexplore.exe	"Added by the BCKDR-QTS BACKDOOR! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %Windir%"
X	Windows Services	iexplore.exe	"Added by the RBOT-WE WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	WINDOWS SYSTEM CLEANER	iexplore.exe	"Added by the MYTOB.ET WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	Windows update	explore.exe	"Added by the GAOBOT.AL WORM!"
X	windows update configurator	explore.exe	"Added by the SDBOT.RY BACKDOOR!"
X	Windows USB Control Driver	iexplore.exe	"Added by a variant of the IRCBOT BACKDOOR! See here. Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %Windir%"
X	Windows Vista Transformation	IEXPLORE.exe	"Added by the FORBOT-GV WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	Windows Workstation Service	explore.exe	Added by unknown malware
X	WindowsUpdate renew	iexplore.exe	"Added by the AGENT.QG TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %Windir%"
X	Windws Configuration Loader	LEXPLORE.exe	"Added by the SODABOT WORM!"
X	Zonealarm	iexplore.exe	"Added by the FORBOT-CP WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) which is always located in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer and should not normally figure in Msconfig/Startup! This one is located in %System%"
X	_explore manager	_explore.exe	"Added by the SPEXTA-C TROJAN!"

DISCLAIMER: It is assumed that users are familiar with the operating system they are using and comfortable with making the suggested changes. I will not be held responsible if changes you make cause a system failure.

This is NOT a list of tasks/processes taken from Task Manager or the Close Program window (CTRL+ALT+DEL) but a list of startup applications, although you will find some of them listed via this method. Pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL identifies programs that are currently running - not necessarily at startup. For a list of tasks/processes you should try WinTasks 5 Standard/Professional from LIUtilities or the list at AnswersThatWork. Therefore, before ending a task/process via CTRL+ALT+DEL just because it has an "X" recommendation, please check whether it's in MSCONFIG or the registry first. An example would be "svchost.exe" - which doesn't appear in either under normal conditions but does via CTRL+ALT+DEL. If in doubt, don't do anything.