"Task Manager" processes

Question

More of a question of curiosity than an issue ATM. I hope I chose the correct place to post.

A few details before I proceed, if needed. I have a Dell Optiplex 3130 that came with Windows 7 Pro, I've upgraded to windows 10 Pro. All updates are current as of two or three days ago.

I have the Task Manager opened so it always shows all processes (Details).

My question is simply this, Why are there more than one instance (entry) for programs (processes) such as, right now, there are two lines for Windows Explorer. There are three entries for Microsoft Edge, there are 6 entries for crashpad_handler. Those are what I see at the moment. Windows Explorer isn't open or in use. Edge isn't in use except for this window (discussion) here. ???

Just curious ... I could be worrying about nothing.

Answer 1

These links should explain why multiple Edge processes are running on the system.

Microsoft Edge’s multi-process architecture - Microsoft Edge Blog Improving how Microsoft Edge processes appear in Task Manager - Microsoft Edge Blog

Regarding the Explorer.exe processes, one Explorer.exe will be running anyway though you may not have any folder windows open. It's the default shell process.

The other Explorer.exe process may be a remnant process for a folder window launched earlier -- especially by running explorer.exe <folder path> or via a shortcut. The 2nd explorer.exe process may show up with the "/factory" command line argument.