Explorer.exe is also known as Windows Explorer or File Explorer. We have multiple definition of the Explorer.exe
This is what AI said “Explorer.exe is a Windows process that runs the file manager, desktop, taskbar, and Start menu. It’s an executable module that runs automatically when Windows starts.”
According to STZ, explorer.exe is a executable which comes into picture when ever end-user interact with the computer system.
How and Where to locate Windows Explorer
This is how windows explore or file explorer look like in Windows Operating System and where to find it?
So here’s file path of the Windows explorer is C:\Windows\explorer.exe
We can locate the Windows explorer in task bar as well if you’re using any kind of windows operating system like Windows XP, Windows vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows 11.
This is what File explorer look like when you hover the mouse in task bar.
Locating the explorer.exe in Task Manager,
Press Window key + R and type taskmgr and enter or direct search by pressing windows keys & type task manager
Watch below video for same
More Technical Details about Windows Explorer
File Name: Explorer.exe
File Path: C:\Windows\explorer.exe
File Size: 5.26 MB
File Hashes:-
-MD5: 29a1ba68edc4176e7d42dfe5ac2dc19e
-SHA-256: d69d10c4ee2b10309da5304c1c178be6cd62239d62105aba1d89f3baa2f1fdd1
File Reputation: Clean
File Version Information:-
-Copyright: © Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
-Product: Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
-Description: Windows Explorer
-Original Name: EXPLORER.EXE
-Internal Name: explorer
-File Version: 10.0.22621.4830 (WinBuild.160101.0800)
-Date signed: 2025-01-23 08:59:00 UTC
You can see all the details from the VirusTotal itself.
>General Details about Explorer.exe
The file “explorer.exe” is a Windows Explorer application located in the C:\Windows directory. It is 5.25 MB in size, created and modified on 12 February 2025, and last accessed on 1 March 2025. It has no special attributes like Read-only or Hidden.
>Digital Signature about Explorer.exe
The below screenshot shows the Digital Signatures tab of the “explorer.exe” file properties. It confirms that the file is digitally signed by Microsoft Windows using the SHA-256 digest algorithm. The signature was timestamped on 23 January 2025, 14:29:59, indicating its authenticity and integrity.
This tab is useful for verifying that the file is genuine and has not been tampered with, as it ensures it comes from a trusted source (Microsoft).
>Security Details about Explorer.exe
The Security tab shows that “explorer.exe” is located in C:\Windows and has controlled permissions. Administrators have Read & Execute and Read access, while no permissions are denied. This ensures secure access to the file.
>File Description about Explorer.exe
The Details tab confirms “explorer.exe” is a Microsoft Windows system file, version 10.0.22621.4830, last modified on 12 February 2025, with a size of 5.25 MB. It’s copyrighted by Microsoft.
>Previous Versions about Explorer.exe
The Previous Versions tab shows that there are no restore points or file history backups available for “explorer.exe.”
Crazy Idea about Explorer:-
1.) In the wild we have seen that many Threat Actors (TA) misuses the explorer.exe to compromise the host/server.
2.) What if we kill the explorer.exe, any idea?