Process Explorer
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| Process Explorer | |
 Process Explorer v10.21 running in Windows XP |
|
| Developer: | Sysinternals |
|---|---|
| Latest release: | 10.21 / November 1, 2006 |
| OS: | Windows 9x, ME, NT4, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista and x64 versions |
| Use: | |
| License: | Proprietary |
| Website: | microsoft.com |
Process Explorer is a freeware computer program for Microsoft Windows created by Sysinternals, which was acquired by Microsoft Corporation.
Process Explorer is a system monitoring and examination utility, similar to a souped-up version of Task Manager, and often can be used as the first step in debugging software or system problems when in the hands of an experienced software engineer.
Process Explorer provides many unique features that can be used to empower the user of the product to track down problems. For example, it provides a means to list or search for named resources that are held by a process or all processes. This can be used to track down what is holding a file open and preventing its use by another program. Or as another example, it can show the command lines used to start a program, allowing otherwise identical processes to be distinguished. Or like Task Manager, it can show a process that is maxing out the CPU, but unlike Task Manager it can show which thread (with the callstack) is using the CPU information that is not even available under a debugger.
Process Explorer works on Windows 9x/Me, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista. It also works on 64-bit versions of Windows.
[edit] Versions
- 10.21 - Nov 01 2006 - Ability to search for processes using Google removed - now uses MSN search engine only. License changed to prohibit certain uses (e.g. commercial use).
- 10.2 - Jul 14 2006 - Final version prior to acquisition by Microsoft. Added Vista integrity level and virtualized columns and process properties, signed driver for 64-bit Vista for x64 processors
- 10.1 - May 11 2006 - Added ability to display I/O graph within the system tray, vista process cycle counters in process properties and as column, service permissions viewing and editing, workaround for .NET runtime handle leak, many new I/O columns and process properties, system and per-process I/O bytes history graphs, memory commit history minigraph, windows 64-bit for Itanium support
- 10.06 - Feb 23 2006
- 10.03 - Feb 09 2006
- 9.25 - Aug 23 2005
- 9.0 - Feb 09 2005
- 8.61 - Dec 22 2004
- 8.0 - Oct 25 2003 -
- .NET tab for .NET processes that shows AppDomains and .NET performance counters.
- Option to only show your own processes. System Information dialog showing the same memory counters as Task Manager (when symbols are configured, also shows maximum paged and nonpaged pool values).
- Better symbol configuration guidance. Difference highlight duration is configurable.
- Tray icon for CPU usage that s yellow when usage is > 70% and red when > 90%.
- Minimize-to-tray option.Hhighlight color configuration dialog. Context switch and context-switch delta columns.
- Run processes using the system Run dialog from the File menu.
- Replace task manager option so that when you run Task Manager Process Explorer runs instead.
- Only non-zero CPU usage, .NET counters and context-switch values are displayed to clearly highlight process activity.
- Search for DLLs or handles regardless of what mode the lower pane is in.
- Correct icons for MMC windows.
- Mouse hover over process names and DLL names shows full path of executable or DLL.
- 7.02 - Sep 14 2003
[edit] Features
- Hierarchical view of processes.
- Ability to display icon and company name next to each process.
- Live CPU activity graph in the task bar.
- Ability to Suspend selected process.
- Complete Process Tree can be killed.
