9/25/2023 0 Comments How to use process explorer![]() ![]() If you wanted to know why a process crashed or is using a lot of memory, it could be any one of the threads within it causing the problem. Understanding Threads with Service Host (svchost.exe) Stacks are just like a stack of plates where you can Pop and Push items off the stack. ![]() Stacks are integral to a thread and represents the stack of instructions in the memory that is associated to the thread running. Processes are more like buckets that contain many threads to run that are given their own memory allocation, etc. Now, in ProcExp all new processes between the time you hit Space and F5 will be highlighted:īecause Task Manager cannot see Threads and Stacks, this is one of the best uses of ProcExp. Now, wait for the process to pop up on the screen, and then hit F5. To see them, first pause ProcExp by hitting the Space Key. If you are trying to track down a process that is only very briefly popping up or closing quickly, there is a trick to see what processes might be doing this. You can also reverse this process by right clicking a process and selecting to bring it to the front: ![]() In this example, I click the Registry Editor One of the best ways to determine what process a certain application is, you can use the target tool to click it, and the process will become highlighted. Now, if you create multiple Column Sets you can toggle between them by entering CTRL+1, CTRL+2, etc. You can then choose to save the column set for future use by selecting View -> Save Column Set In this example I have chosen columns that would help with debugging malware: To do this, right click on the columns and click Select Columns. You can enable several additional columns in process explorer. This is useful to diagnose headless servers, etc. Once at the logon screen, press Shift 5 times and cmd.exe will open where you can run process explorer. You can do this by adding an Image File Execution Option for Sticky Keys (sethc.exe) and have it open cmd.exe. When you select to have process explorer replace task manager, it is actually making use of the Image File Execution Options which replaces taskmon.exe with procmon.exe.Īnother useful way to start ProcMon is at the Windows Logon Screen (CTRL+ALT+DEL). One of the most useful ways to run ProcExp is before logon, or as a replacement to Task Manager. If you start ProcExp in standard mode, you’ll notice it has extra options to Show Details for All Processes:Īlso, if you every have issues opening ProcExp, you should clear its registry key at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Sysinternals. I recommend starting ProcExp.exe from an elevated command prompt, so that it opens in administrative mode. This UNC path is a service provided by Microsoft and is referred to as Sysinternals Live. The set of tools is now available on any Windows computer by opening \\\tools\ in a file explorer. Microsoft acquired Winternals on July 18, 2006, which included Sysinternals and the utilities within it. Sysinternals was originally created in 1996 by Winternals Software and was started by Bryce Cogswell and Mark Russinovich. Process Explorer is a part of Windows Sysinternals which is a set of utilities to manage, diagnose, troubleshoot, and monitor Windows. This is the most downloaded tool of the Sysinternals toolkit, with over 3 Million downloads a year. Process Explorer shows you information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded. This tutorial helped me develop my technical skills and become more familiar with the Sysinternals toolkit. I also cover how to enable additional columns in ProcExp, and how to save column sets for future use. This tutorial covers a variety of topics, including how to start ProcExp in administrative mode, how to find running processes and those that close quickly, how to understand threads with Service Host (svchost.exe), and how to hunt for a virus. Process Explorer is a tool within the Windows Sysinternals utilities that shows information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded. I created a tutorial for Process Explorer (ProcExp) to help me practice my skills for an upcoming interview to be a Sr Solutions Architect at Microsoft. ![]()
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