Windows · System & Backup
Process Explorer
Process Explorer shows you information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded
Version 17.14.0 · by Mark Russinovich
Official site: learn.microsoft.com
About Process Explorer
Ever wondered which program has a particular file or directory open? Now you can find out. Process Explorer shows you information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded.
The Process Explorer display consists of two sub-windows. The top window always shows a list of the currently active processes, including the names of their owning accounts, whereas the information displayed in the bottom window depends on the mode that Process Explorer is in: if it is in handle mode you'll see the handles that the process selected in the top window has opened; if Process Explorer is in DLL mode you'll see the DLLs and memory-mapped files that the process has loaded. Process Explorer also has a powerful search capability that will quickly show you which processes have particular handles opened or DLLs loaded.
The unique capabilities of Process Explorer make it useful for tracking down DLL-version problems or handle leaks, and provide insight into the way Windows and applications work.
How to install Process Explorer
- Click Download — the developer's official website opens in a new tab.
- Download the latest version there and run it. Choose Custom/Advanced where offered, and skip any bundled extras.
- Prefer the command line? With Chocolatey you can install and update it with: choco install process-explorer
- Open Process Explorer once it finishes installing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Process Explorer free to download?
Yes. The Download button sends you to learn.microsoft.com, the developer's official site, where Process Explorer is available to download. Grabware doesn't host or modify any files.
What is the latest version of Process Explorer?
The version listed here is 17.14.0, published /Date(1789. The developer's site always has the newest release.
How do I install Process Explorer from the command line?
With Chocolatey, run: choco install process-explorer. This installs it from the official source and keeps it updated.
Is Process Explorer safe?
Process Explorer downloads directly from the developer. As always, scan the installer with your antivirus and choose Custom setup to skip any bundled extras.
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