What is iexplore.exe?

Iexplore.exe file information

The process known as Internet Explorer or Windows Explorer or Updater belongs to software Windows Internet Explorer (version 9, 8, 7) or Internet Explorer (version 11, 11 Release Preview) or Microsoft Windows or Microsoft Windows Operating System or Adobe Flash Player (version 11 ActiveX) or WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe or Super DVD Creator (version 9.8 Trial Version) or Updater by Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) or WinUpdate.

Description: The original iexplore.exe from Microsoft is an important part of Windows, but often causes problems. The file iexplore.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files (x86)" (typically C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\). Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 638,816 bytes (17% of all occurrences), 673,040 bytes and 168 more variants.  
The iexplore.exe file is a Windows core system file. The iexplore.exe file is a Microsoft signed file. The iexplore.exe file is certified by a trustworthy company. Therefore the technical security rating is 4% dangerous, however you should also read the user reviews.

Recommended: Identify iexplore.exe related errors

Viruses with the same file name

Is iexplore.exe a virus? No, it is not. The true iexplore.exe file is a safe Microsoft Windows system process, called "Internet Explorer". However, writers of malware programs, such as viruses, worms, and Trojans deliberately give their processes the same file name to escape detection. Viruses with the same file name are such as Trojan-Spy.Win32.WinSpy.acj or Backdoor.Win32.Cbot.bg (detected by Kaspersky), and Spyware.PCAcme or WS.Reputation.1 (detected by Symantec).
To ensure that no rogue iexplore.exe is running on your PC, click here to run a Free Virus Scan.

How to recognize suspicious variants?

• If iexplore.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 53% dangerous. The file size is 673,048 bytes (20% of all occurrences), 445,440 bytes, 1,536 bytes, 132,096 bytes or 770,704 bytes. The iexplore.exe file is not a Windows system file. The program has no visible window.
• If iexplore.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 28% dangerous. The file size is 1,825,280 bytes (33% of all occurrences), 815,280 bytes or 811,728 bytes. It is not a Windows core file. The program has no visible window. The iexplore.exe file is a Microsoft signed file. The file is certified by a trustworthy company. Iexplore.exe is able to manipulate other programs, monitor applications and record keyboard and mouse inputs.
• If iexplore.exe is located in the C:\Windows folder, the security rating is 84% dangerous. The file size is 435,200 bytes (33% of all occurrences), 451,072 bytes or 236,304 bytes.
• If iexplore.exe is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder, the security rating is 42% dangerous. The file size is 952,832 bytes.

External information from Paul Collins:
There are different files with the same name:

• "$WindowsRegKey%update" definitely not required.
• "Explorer Updater" definitely not required. Added by the SDBOT-WO WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) process, which should not appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you add it manually!
• "Iexplore" definitely not required. Added by the BOXER TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) process, which should not appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you add it manually!
• "IEXPLORE" definitely not required. Added by the APHEXDOOR TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) process, which should not appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you add it manually!
• "Iexplore Services" definitely not required. Added by an unidentified VIRUS, WORM or TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) process, which should not appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you add it manually!
• "Internet Explorer" definitely not required. Added by the RBOT-EY WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) process, which should not appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you add it manually!
• "Java Runtimes" definitely not required. Added by the KILLAV.B TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) process, which should not appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you add it manually!
• "Microsoft IE" definitely not required. Added by the FORBOT-AG WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) process, which should not appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you add it manually!
• "Microsoft Internet Explorer" definitely not required. Downloader trojan. Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) process, which should not appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you add it manually!
• "OPTIMIZER" definitely not required. Added by the EVIVINC TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) process, which should not appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you add it manually!
• "Program in Windows" definitely not required. Added by a variant of the LOVGATE WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) process, which should not appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you add it manually!
• "slide" definitely not required. Added by the GASLIDE TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) process, which should not appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you add it manually!
• "System Configuration" definitely not required. Added by the RANDEX.AD WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) process, which should not appear in Msconfig/Startup unless you add it manually!

Important: Some malware camouflages itself as iexplore.exe, particularly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the iexplore.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.