This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

I use Ffox exclusively, but Win Expl keeps popping up w multi windows whch I can't get rid of unles I switch off my cpter; I cn't fnd Exp in my prgs to remove.

hgoldie
hgoldie
more options

I use Firefox exclusively, but Win Explorer keeps popping up with multiple windows which I can't get rid of unless I switch off my computer; I can't find Explorer in my programs to remove it, but its icon sits on my taskbar. I won't try to access it, fearing the worst. How can I get rid of Explorer?

I use Firefox exclusively, but Win Explorer keeps popping up with multiple windows which I can't get rid of unless I switch off my computer; I can't find Explorer in my programs to remove it, but its icon sits on my taskbar. I won't try to access it, fearing the worst. How can I get rid of Explorer?

All Replies (1)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

IE is composed of numerous system components that you can't remove without gravely damaging Windows. So you can hide IE, but really there's no way to remove it.

I think the problem is malware, and most likely it is outside of Firefox, but could possibly be generated by Firefox add-ons. Could you do some basic cleanup along the following lines and see whether this helps:

(A) Open the Windows Control Panel, Uninstall a Program. After the list loads, click the "Installed on" column heading to group the infections, I mean, additions, by date. This can help surface undisclosed bundle items that snuck in with some software you agreed to install. Be suspicious of everything you do not recognize/remember, as malware often uses important or innocent sounding names to discourage you from removing it. Take out as much trash as possible here.

(B) Open Firefox's Add-ons page using either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
  • in the Windows "Run" dialog, type or paste
    firefox.exe "about:addons"

In the left column, click Plugins. Set nonessential and unrecognized plugins to "Never Activate".

In the left column, click Extensions. Then, if in doubt, disable (or Remove, if possible) unrecognized and unwanted extensions. Bear in mind that all extensions are optional, none are included with Firefox itself.

Often a link will appear above at least one disabled extension to restart Firefox. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step.

Any improvement?

(C) You can search for remaining issues with the scanning/cleaning tools listed in our support article: Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware. These on-demand scanners are free and take considerable time to run. If they finish quickly and especially if they require payment, you may have a serious infection. I suggest the specialized forums listed in the article in that case.

Success?