Process Explorer
Process Explorer is an advanced system utility for Windows developed by Sysinternals (Microsoft). It provides detailed real-time monitoring of running processes, displaying the active handles and loaded DLLs for each program.
download.sysinternals.com · Official website
- ✓ Official source (winget)
- ✓ SHA256 taken from the official repository
- ✓ Last checked: Nov. 4, 2026
- This is not a virus scan. Check on VirusTotal
- Version
- 17.2
- Release date
- Oct. 15, 2026
- License
- Proprietary
- Installer type
- zip
How do I use this?
Type Terminal in the Start menu and open it, paste the command (Ctrl+V or right-click) and press Enter. It uses winget, Windows' own package manager, to install the program from its official source.
winget install --id Microsoft.Sysinternals.ProcessExplorer -eSHA256 (file verification)
dab147316264b89ae46ae2ad7d8a94116848ef0b703bcac8de9ff22689ce9d51We couldn't find a macOS version of Process Explorer in the official repositories; check the publisher's website.
We couldn't find a Linux version of Process Explorer in the official repositories; check the publisher's website.
We couldn't find a Android version of Process Explorer in the official repositories; check the publisher's website.
Highlights
- Displays active processes in a hierarchical tree structure.
- Shows loaded DLLs and handles associated with each selected process.
- Provides granular CPU, memory, and GPU usage graphics per process.
- Allows quick searching to identify which process has a specific file or folder locked.
Who is it for?
Process Explorer is designed for system administrators, developers, and power users who need to analyze active Windows processes, open handles, and loaded DLLs. It is commonly used to troubleshoot unresponsive applications, trace file locking issues, and investigate suspicious background activity.
Good to know before installing
- Available exclusively on Windows platforms.
- The dense interface and technical details present a steep learning curve for non-technical users.
- Requires administrative privileges to inspect certain system processes and handles.
How to install
Windows
- Click the official download button on our site to get the archive file, or run 'winget install --id Microsoft.Sysinternals.ProcessExplorer -e' in PowerShell.
- Extract the contents of the downloaded ZIP file to your preferred folder.
- Run procexp.exe as administrator to launch the tool.
Alternatives
- Process Hacker
- System Informer
- Task Manager
Frequently asked questions
Is Process Explorer free to use?
Yes, Process Explorer is provided for free by Microsoft Sysinternals.
Can Process Explorer replace the default Windows Task Manager?
Yes, it includes an option under the Options menu to replace Task Manager when launching it.
How do I find which process is locking a file?
Use the search feature (Ctrl+F) in Process Explorer and type the filename or handle name to find the locking process.