Windows Vista - Explorer - Increase Stability via Separate Processes

SUMMARY: Increase Windows Vista's stability by launching Explorer folders in separate processes.

If you have difficulties with Windows Vista that cause Explorer to crash frequently, you may be growing tired of the blank screens, refreshing Desktop icons and Explorer restarts, or computer reboots that result. There is a tweak you can perform that may help increase the stability of Explorer by making each folder window open in its own separate process.

1. Access the "Folder Options" dialog box by doing one of the following:

* Click on the "Organize" button in an Explorer folder, and then choose "Folder and Search Options".

* Open a folder in Explorer. Press the ALT key to temporarily show the menu, and then select "Tools" - "Folder Options".

* Click the Windows/Start button, type "folder options", and press ENTER.

2. When the "Folder Options" multi-tabbed dialog box appears, click the "View" tab.

3. Check "Launch folder windows in a separate process".

4. Click "OK" to close the dialog box.

Notes:

1. Performing this tweak may cause Explorer to require more memory, CPU usage, and/or hard drive storage, so it is possible your computer may run slower.

2. Frequent Explorer crashes may be the result of spyware or other malware, so you should scan your system using spyware and malware removal tools just in case.