Memory used by Windows Explorer

[groveoz]

I have an ASUS 900HA Netbook 1GB RAM, XP SP3, AVG Free 9.0.733

When I open a folder containing picture files these seem to be loaded into RAM just by opening the folder.

As an example I have a folder with 29 JPG files totaling 65 MB

Looking in Task Manager
before opening the folder, explorer.exe is using 32,968KB
after opening the folder, explorer.exe is using 429,468KB
after closing Windows Explorer, explorer.exe is still using 429,468KB

Also, when the folder is opened the icons on the left side of the file name activate slowly - each file takes about 1 second.

Everything else on the computer works normally.

Any help appreciated

John

 

[MrChad]

You can try disabling thumbnail generation:

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/...ia-and-video-thumbnail-preview-in-windows-xp/

 

[groveoz]

Thanks MrChad

Tried that fix - regsvr32 /u shmedia.dll

Also tried another fix from the My Digital Life site - regsvr32 /u shimgvw.dll

Also tried the following in Folder Options

Ticked "do not cache thumbnails"
Unticked "display contents of system folders"

But no luck

thanks

John

 

[JackMDS]

Use it on your own risk YMMV.

http://www.itsamples.com/thumbnail-database-cleaner.html



.

 

[groveoz]

Thanks Jack,
I used the Thumbnail Database Viewer application and found one small Thumbnail file - deleted.
Perhaps thumbnail generation is not involved.
Still baffled.
thanks
John

 

[JackMDS]

Download Process Explorer.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

Run it you would see all the processes including Explorer.

Right click on the Explorer and click on properties.

Click on Performance it will give you a rundown on how the memory is used.

Also look at other tab. Look at the string tab and see if there is some unusual large string attached to the process.

However under normal condition the working memory of explorer is about 32MB and the Virtual memory use can bring it to 500MB.

 

[groveoz]

Thanks again Jack,
Ran Process Explorer. Very detailed and a bit overwhelming.
I have before and after screen shots of Explorer Performance but cannot figure how to attach these as I am set up as "You may not post attachments"
Also found there is a very large number of strings under Explorer Properties - some long strings found for example about 100 of letter "y" - 17 of these in a row.
Can I get access to post attachments to show you more.
thanks
John