NoteHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
| Data type | Range | Default value |
|---|---|---|
| REG_DWORD | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Determines whether the components of Windows 2000 Explorer run in a single process or in two separate processes.
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | All of the components of Windows Explorer (Explorer, Desktop, and Taskbar) run as separate threads in a single, multithreaded process called Explorer.exe. |
| 1 | All instances of Windows Explorer run in one process and the Desktop and Taskbar run in a separate process. Both processes are called Explorer.exe. |
Note
Windows 2000 does not add this entry to the registry. You can add it by editing the registry or by using a program that edits the registry.
Tip
To verify that DesktopProcess is enabled, use the Processes tab in Task Manager. If the value of DesktopProcess is 1, at least two instances of the Explorer.exe process should appear in the list of processes (one for the Desktop and Taskbar and one for Windows Explorer). For each additional instance of Windows Explorer, a new instance of Explorer.exe should appear in the list of processes.
Caution
Enabling DesktopProcess can interfere with the functions of Windows Explorer if the computer is not equipped to run all processes efficiently. Do not set the value of DesktopProcess to 1 unless the computer has a Pentium processor (or equivalent) and at least 16 MB of physical random access memory.