rundll32.exe opens and closes continiously

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  1. Posts : 44
    W10 Home 22H2 (Build 19045.2364)
       #1

    rundll32.exe opens and closes continiously


    All this started back in early August, or about the time "Windows Creator" was installed.
    I have sound notifications for processes that open or close, a paranoia from long ago, or I would have never known this was going on.

    rundll32.exe continuously opens and closes (1-2sec intervals) when a "windows explorer" R click menu is pulled up. I can pull up "MS Process Explorer" and it all stops. Found the culprit process by 1st pulling up "Process Explorer" and then R click on any icon pinned to the taskbar. I could then see the process open and closing.

    I'm sure someone will suggest to simply just turn off the sounds for opening and closing, but I like to know when something is happening that is not normal, and a continual opening and closing of a process is not normal.... Normally all is quiet.
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 114
    Windows 10 Pro 21H1 (19043) x64
       #2

    I would imagine it's some sort of context menu extension kicking in on the right click menu, what is on your right click context menus in explorer? Does it happen when right clicking on the desktop?
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 44
    W10 Home 22H2 (Build 19045.2364)
    Thread Starter
       #3

    rundll32.exe opens and closes continiously-r-click.jpg

    ScrnSht of Explorer R click.
    and...
    No, it does not happen from R click of desktop.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 114
    Windows 10 Pro 21H1 (19043) x64
       #4

    I can't see anything obvious on there, I thought there might be some sort of application extension installed which is initialising rundll32.exe whenever a right click is performed. Does this happen only when you right click on the taskbar? Or when you right click an empty part of the desktop too?
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 44
    W10 Home 22H2 (Build 19045.2364)
    Thread Starter
       #5

    alexncfc....
    Just now getting back in from 10 days in the woods, hunting...
    Does not happen on "R" click of desktop.
    Just from "R" click on task bar.
    Also sometimes when a program such as Firefox or perhaps Thunderbird is minimized.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 5,299
    Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
       #6

    Rundll32.exe allows invoking a function exported from a DLL (Dynamic Link Library) files. The valid process is normally located at \Windows\System32\rundll32.exe, if the Rundll32.exe is running from any other directory it a malware infection.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 44
    W10 Home 22H2 (Build 19045.2364)
    Thread Starter
       #7

    It appears to be only running from, \Windows\System32\rundll32.exe, but not 100% positive. How do I find out?
    It's in & out on "Process Explorer" so fast, I can't be sure.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #8

    hapEcat said:
    It appears to be only running from, \Windows\System32\rundll32.exe, but not 100% positive. How do I find out?
    It's in & out on "Process Explorer" so fast, I can't be sure.
    You could run procmon.

    Capture events (ctrl + E to start/stop) while you recreate the issue then search for rundll32.exe ( crtl + F )

    Hover your mouse over the process name and it will tell you the path.

    rundll32.exe opens and closes continiously-capture.png
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 44
    W10 Home 22H2 (Build 19045.2364)
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Will try "procmon" this evening, as we are driving up to the Carolinas for Thanksgiving, and report back sometime tomorrow.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #10

    Have a good one!
      My Computer


 

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