KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q156366: How to Run Windows NT Explorer As a Separate Process

Article: Q156366
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): WinNT:4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 08-AUG-2001

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

By default, the Windows NT 4.0 Desktop, Taskbar, and Explorer run in a single
process using multiple threads. If you modify the registry, enabling the
DesktopProcess entry, the Taskbar and Desktop will run in one process with each
instance of Explorer in a separate process. Each new instance of Explorer.exe
will use its own thread. The setting can be verified when two instances of
Explorer.exe are visible using Pviewer.exe from the Windows NT 4.0 Resource Kit
or the Process tab of the Windows NT 4.0 Task Manager.

MORE INFORMATION
================

This configuration is enabled on a per-user basis by modifying the registry as
follows:

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may
require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that
problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use
Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And
Values" online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and
Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" online Help topics
in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it.

1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).

2. Under the HKEY_CURRENT_USER subtree, go to the following subkey:

  Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

3. Create a new value called DesktopProcess (REG_DWORD) with the data field set
  to 1.

  Valid entries are 0 and 1; 0 is the default.

4. Quit Registry Editor.

This entry will allow access to the taskbar and desktop when Explorer becomes
unresponsive.

NOTE: This setting should only be enabled on Pentium-based computers with more
than 16 MB of RAM.

NOTE: Use default settings if you encounter shell problems.

If you encounter problems after you install Internet Explorer version 4.0 or
4.01, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  ARTICLE-ID: Q181562
  TITLE : Problems Opening or Exploring Folders in Internet Explorer

Additional query words: toolbar
======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400
Version           : WinNT:4.0
Issue type        : kbhowto

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.