Process Explorer
Process tree
Understanding the Process Tree in Windows
Learn how parent and child processes relate, how to read a process hierarchy, and where the process tree fits into everyday troubleshooting.
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Process Explorer Guides
Nine focused articles covering process trees, handles, modules, search, resource usage, troubleshooting, services, security investigation and process relationships.
Open files and handles
How to Find Which Process Has a File Open
A practical guide to tracing open files and handles when Windows says a file is in use or an application refuses to release a resource.
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DLLs and modules
Understanding DLLs and Loaded Modules
See how loaded modules add context to a running process and how module information can help when investigating application behavior.
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Search
How to Search Processes, Handles and Modules
Use focused search to narrow a busy Windows system and find the process connected to a file, handle or loaded component.
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CPU and memory
Reading CPU and Memory Activity
Understand the difference between a process that is busy, a process that is simply large, and a short-lived spike that may not indicate a problem.
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Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting an Unresponsive or Stuck Application
A structured workflow for moving from a visible application problem to the process, child processes, resources and modules involved.
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Services
Using Process Explorer for Windows Services
Learn how services appear in the process landscape and how process relationships can add context when a service behaves unexpectedly.
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Security analysis
Using Process Details for Security Investigation
Use process names, paths, relationships and loaded components as evidence during a careful investigation of unfamiliar activity.
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Process relationships
Tracing Process Relationships and Dependencies
Follow the chain from a parent process to helper processes and loaded components to understand how an application is assembled at runtime.
Read guide →Start with the basics
Learn the workflow, then go deeper.
Each guide is designed as a standalone reference with one clear topic, practical steps and its own visual example.
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