explore.exe file report
ThreatInfo file report
explore.exe
Why it matters
Evidence available for this file
Latest status is clean for this hash.
First seen 2017-06-11 06:04:59 (8 years ago); latest analysis 2021-03-22 21:05:31 (5 years ago).
Company metadata: Microsoft Corporation. Product metadata: Windows® Internet Explorer.
Signed by Microsoft Corporation. The signature is reported as valid, but signed files can still be bundled or abused.
This hash has appeared under multiple file names, which can happen with repackaging, bundling, or deliberate renaming.
ThreatInfo has seen this file in user or system paths listed below. Unexpected locations increase the need for local verification.
Recommended action
What to do next
- Confirm the hash and publisher match the expected software.
- Review the observed locations and signature information below.
- Rescan if the file was downloaded from an unknown source or appears in an unusual path.
File context
explore.exe is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with Windows® Internet Explorer. The reported company name is Microsoft Corporation. The current detection status is Clean, based on the latest analysis from 2021-03-22 21:05:31 (5 years ago).
This record is currently marked as clean, but file reputation can depend on the exact path, hash, and source. Compare the MD5 and publisher data below with the file on your system.
File Details
| Product Name: | Windows® Internet Explorer |
| Company Name: | Microsoft Corporation |
| MD5: | c613e69c3b191bb02c7a191741a1d024 |
| Size: | 657 KB |
| First Published: | 2017-06-11 06:04:59 (8 years ago) |
| Latest Published: | 2021-03-22 21:05:31 (5 years ago) |
| Status: | Clean (on last analysis) | |
| Analysis Date: | 2021-03-22 21:05:31 (5 years ago) |
Overview
| Signed By: | Microsoft Corporation |
| Status: | Valid |
The signature on explore.exe is reported as valid. A valid signature helps confirm publisher identity, but it does not automatically make the file safe if the installer was bundled, abused, or downloaded from an untrusted source.
Common Places:
| %appdata%\browsers |
| %programfiles%\internet explorer |
| %programfiles%\explorer |
| %programs%\startup |
| %programfiles% |
| %appdata% |
| %system%\config\systemprofile\appdata\roaming |
| %appdata% |
| %programfiles% |
| %programfiles% |
ThreatInfo has observed explore.exe in the locations listed above. Files found in temporary folders, user profile folders, startup locations, or unusual application directories should be reviewed more carefully than files installed under a known program directory.
File Names:
| iexplore.bat.exe |
| iexplore.exe |
| gigabitupnews.com/cl/?guid=p50slxdbjqf4n5u69p8ye7ucajvau3za@amp;prid=1@amp;pid=6_1308_63111 |
| zokidif.com/cl/?guid=zj175c7f6xvouz3kvlf1gl8r47rxz7vo@amp;prid=1@amp;pid=4_1324_0 |
| go.playmmogames.com/aff_c?offer_id=174@amp;aff_id=1034@amp;aff_sub2=dfKJIwqCipFIEh41VBYjisVxipFjQUBhIwBUImMV1LQjUtk3sgLV97cM1Lf0RQfgf4uAAAAM7G6Zwieie |
| explore.exe |
This hash has been seen with multiple file names. Alternate names can appear when software is updated, copied between folders, packed by an installer, or deliberately renamed to avoid recognition. Compare the exact MD5 above before assuming two names refer to the same file.
Geography:
| 25.3% | ||
| 18.0% | ||
| 6.9% | ||
| 5.8% | ||
| 4.6% | ||
| 4.1% | ||
| 3.7% | ||
| 3.2% | ||
| 2.9% | ||
| 2.5% | ||
| 2.2% | ||
| 2.1% | ||
| 1.5% | ||
| 1.3% | ||
| 1.1% | ||
| 1.1% | ||
| 1.0% | ||
| 1.0% | ||
| 0.8% | ||
| 0.8% | ||
| 0.7% | ||
| 0.6% | ||
| 0.6% | ||
| 0.6% | ||
| 0.6% | ||
| 0.5% | ||
| 0.5% | ||
| 0.4% | ||
| 0.4% | ||
| 0.3% | ||
| 0.3% | ||
| 0.3% | ||
| 0.3% | ||
| 0.3% | ||
| 0.3% | ||
| 0.3% | ||
| 0.3% | ||
| 0.3% | ||
| 0.3% | ||
| 0.3% | ||
| 0.2% | ||
| 0.2% | ||
| 0.2% | ||
| 0.2% | ||
| 0.2% | ||
| 0.2% | ||
| 0.2% | ||
| 0.2% | ||
| 0.1% | ||
| 0.1% | ||
| 0.1% | ||
| 0.1% | ||
| 0.1% | ||
| 0.1% | ||
| 0.1% | ||
| 0.1% | ||
| 0.1% | ||
| 0.1% | ||
| 0.1% | ||
| 0.1% |
The strongest geographic signal for this file is Vietnam with 25.3% of observed hits. Geographic distribution can help identify targeted campaigns, regional software bundles, or where a file is most commonly reported.
OS Version:
| Windows 7 | 96.2% | |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 | 3.0% | |
| Windows 10 | 0.5% | |
| Windows Embedded Standard | 0.2% | |
| Windows Vista | 0.1% |
The most common operating system signal for explore.exe is Windows 7 with 96.2% of observed hits. If your system differs from the common profile, check whether the file was introduced by a specific installer, archive, or removable device.
Analysis
explore.exe is identified as pe for 32 systems. The subsystem is Windows GUI. PE header values are useful for triage, especially when they do not match the expected publisher, product, or release timeline.
| Subsystem: | Windows GUI |
| PE Type: | pe |
| OS Bitness: | 32 |
| Image Base: | 0x00400000 |
| Entry Address: | 0x00001c9a |
PE Sections:
| Name | Size of data | MD5 |
| .text | 41472 | 90e728188ecf1a607f521e9365e8f3d4 |
| .data | 1536 | 076bf136b6cfd6506f95b5f387da1cc7 |
| .rsrc | 619008 | e119bb8d564c721091b97ed0d2362a0f |
| .reloc | 3072 | e1c0ea7a45e2fc4f9df3bcb0d4414d7f |
PE section names and hashes can reveal packing, injected resources, or unusual build artifacts. Sections with uncommon names, very large raw data, or hashes that differ from a trusted copy deserve additional review.
More information:
