iexplore.exe starts after closing Internet Explorer

Many people complain that iexplore.exe is still showing up in Task Manager after closing Internet Explorer. We have determined that this is a symptom of a malicious or non-malicious add-on that is preventing the Explorer from performing a proper shutdown. There are several methods to fix this problem, and we have collected them in this article.

Solving security problems

Look up the exact name of the process in the task manager.

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and see if the job is called iexplore r . Malware is often disguised under it. If your task manager shows a process listed as “explore r ”, your system is most likely infected.
• It is necessary to scan the system with a powerful antivirus.

Uninstall Adobe PDF Assistant

Another common scenario that causes this behavior is when the user has installed an unwanted add-on that works through the explorer. This is usually the Adobe PDF link helper. This is a legal add-on and will not harm your system in any way. Check out IE add-ons. For this:

• Open IE, click on “service and click on“ Manage add-ons ”.
• In the Manage Add-ons window, scroll down and see if you have the Adobe PDF Companion Assistant. This add-on is not malicious, but the legitimate IE process is known to open after the user closes the internet browser.
• If you find that the Adobe PDF Link Assistant is installed, right-click it and select Disable. Then close your browser and restart your computer.

Launch IE in no add-on mode

One way is definitely to determine if one of your installed browser add-ons is causing this problem, stop them and see if the iexplore.exe process is running after you close your internet browser.

• Open the explorer and type “about: NoAdd-ons” in the address bar and hit enter. A message should appear stating that it works without addons.
• After all of them have been cut down, just close the explorer and open the task manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).

If the iexplore.exe process is no longer visible, you have determined that one of the add-ons is causing this problem. The question remains which addition is now responsible.

• To do this, open IE again, go to Settings and click on Manage Add-ons. Then disable anything that is not signed by Microsoft or Oracle.
• Disable each of the remaining ones, close your browser and check if the process disappeared from the task manager.

Disable third-party antivirus package

Sometimes disabling the external security package is enough to fix the problem. The most common problems are due to packages:

• Sophos Antivirus;
• Symantec Endpoint Protection;
• Avira Antivirus.

1. Stop real-time protection.
2. Then open IE, close it again and open Task Manager to check if iexplore.exe is closed along with the browser.

Please note that some AV programs cannot be disabled and must be uninstalled to remove their interference.