Hi,
check these things first:
what os are you using?
Do you have big files in C:\ or in the folder you are using ( like desktop folder ) that are needing previewing (big images and videos)  ?? .
explorer.exe updates sometimes preview images for some reasons. ( the same thing happens also on linux with nemo or nautilus ( both explorer.exe equivalents)!).
Think that is the case on your system.


Also do you have enough space left on your main hard disk ?

Is a disk or floppy or cd/dvd/bluray disk attached /inserted that is corrrupt or damaged . ?
It  Don' t need to be physical or cause data loss , sometimes its only a simple software based sector fault for unused space. ( happens often for Eink- readers or cheap sd/MMC/SDHC cards!)) ??. A case like this won`t cause any data loss ( except for deleted files ), but can slow down the system a lot ( even prevent from booting).
So try to run chkdsk or scandisk on your smaller disks . ( they schould be included in win7 (even if they aren hte ones from w95/98bluedxca93 anymore)

On my 3ghz dual core win7 64 bit explorer.exe crashes every 2 minutes. Have only 1 gb left and my file system is nearly damaged.But i do know why ( cause of writing files with other  OS to disk ) and i don`t mind it .

b.t.w im still a visitor on this site and it took me 3 min to open this reply window ( damn interente connection)
regards bluedxca93

I can't tell you the exact problem, but I can tell you what worked for me.

I was having the same problem. I googled it and found a lot of responses about having any "arguments" on any explorer shortcut, such as renaming one, or changing the file it points to.

I had renamed a few libraries on my start menu, and pointed them to another directory.

But that didn't seem to be the problem, I reverted those to default.......no help.

I found that unpinning the libraries icon from the taskbar, and just navigating to the library I wanted to open, fixed the problem.

Dunno why, but it worked for me. I seem to remember losing that shortcut before, accidentally removing it. I think when I replaced it with the actual explorer.exe, I caused the problem.

Thanks, guys.  None of this has worked.  Anybody else have any suggestions?  Thanks.

Disable some services may ease up a bit . 

hi  

check  to be logged in only once. ( on windows you can normally use the switch users section b.t.w).

 Its hard to find the  problem with explore.exe since it controls a huge part of the microsoft systems. 

Disabling some system startup services could help Gaspershooters is right there  ( on my pc there were some unecessary macafee + toshiba + nero services. ). Also some programs do start there support "service" with the windows service list and not autostart ( cause its harder to remove them this way). Happens  often with toolbars or wrong antivirus software. Some applications also use it for their registrated/activated control programm services. 

But be also aware that disabling the false system services might even break your system or a part of it. Normally you can decide if the service is essencial for the system  by their description but not always, if you are unsure google which ones are necessary and which ones aren`t.  Look also how much cpu they use (perhaps there is already the connection with the explorer instances bug).

regards bluedxca93

What OS (XP Vista 7/8)?  is it a x32 or x64 version?
Please provide some system specs.
Any Antivirus installed ? If so what brand ?
Is there any explorer like total commander installed?

Common reasons for having several explorer tasks running in taskmanager:
1.Explorer crashed and was restarted...
2.Virus, Malware  

If the Taskmanager is opened and F5 is pressed the explorer tasks is mouseovered ( the list should refresh ) afterwards there should be only 1 running task remaining.
If thats not the case right click on any running explorer task and then select propertys, check the datapath it should be C:\Windows check another 2 just to make sure all have the same path if they dont have the same path see below
If that is not the case, i would recommend scanning the system.

Before you check these steps below open your Taskmanager now navigate to rider "view"
under the option refresh, should be something named refresh speed is that set to Fast ? if not set it so.
And press F5... check for the remaining Tasks.

PS you can try this if on WIN7

End the explorer.exe, but the safe way!
After opening the Startmenu  hold ctrl + shift and move the mousecursor to an empty spot in the start menu and make right click,  a window should come up with END Properties and Explorer , click on close explorer.
The Start-menu + desktop + taskbar are now beeing closed.
Now, restart the taskmanager, to do so press ctrl + shift + esc!
After that is done check the Taskmanager whether any multiple/several explorer.exe  are running. 
If yes it can indicate Trojan / virus, if there is only one visable now, then the explorer.exe is probably 
damaged !!
repair / get a new one over @ Microsoft
Restart the explorer inside Taskmanager: apllication/new Task/open .... now type in explorer.exe 

Enter in the task manager --- Applications --- new task --- Opening --- Explorer.exe and OK (Enter) Explorer starts and everything is normal.

I finally found the culprit. After a repair reinstall of Windows 7 didn't fix the problem, I went all out and did a full format and reinstall of Windows 7.

Installed all windows updates, all is well.....

Installed several of my Must Have Stardock Products, and the problem returned.

So, I uninstalled all Stardock products, problem is gone again.

After several install/uninstalls of various Stardock products, I finally narrowed it down to DeskScapes 8.  Without DS8, I have no multiple explorer.exes in task manager bogging down a system with 12 GB ram, a 6 core cpu, and an SSD.

I am currently running DeskScapes 3 with no problems.

Also running Fences 2, WindowBlinds, CursorFX, WindowFX.

So, if you still have the problem, try uninstalling DeskScapes8. Remember to deactivate it first, via about.

I put in a ticket on this, guys.  Waiting...

Deskscapes 8 version 8.10 works without the multiple explorer.exe as well.

Are you telling me I cannot use Deskscapes anymore?  Why should it happen now and how do I fix it?  Also, I'm getting multiple instances of Chrome, also.

If you're getting multiple instances of Chrome a virus is likely the suspect. Chrome isn't as secure as some believe it to be.

Avast detects no virus.

Have you tried any online scans?

Yes.  Nothing seems to work.

Try this registry fix:

Change HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Explorer/Advanced/SeparateProcess to 0 and then reboot.

None of the above works.  I currently have six explorer.exes.

yes because each addon will show as seperate running task however they are all named chrome...i hope that they will fix that in the near future

I got rid of Chrome for that reason, even though I had zero addons, plus really crazy adds and something else very weird. On this site only every time I clicked on something and it didn't matter what it was, I noticed a quick download. I looked in my download folder and found something called file. I immediately deleted itthen 86'd Chrome. I now use Whitehat Aviator exclusively.