A few things have bubbled to the surface since the problem began (over a year ago). I present these in no particular order, although some are subjective).
The EXPLORER.EXE File
I have 8 different versions of Explorer installed on this PC (carry over from past Win installations). All versions of the explorer.exe date from 2009. I have This is about when Win 7-64 was installed over a 32-bit VIsta OS. My recollection of the original file was that it was named "EXPLORER.EXE" (all caps). Although dated 2009, all versions of the Explorer.exe files now are named in lower case. (yes, this is subjective but please bear with me) FOllowing are the Explorer versions on the system. Ddifferent file sizes for roughly the same write date.
The explorer.exe file visible in task manager displays in lower case although I clearly remember it displying in all upper case (EXPLORER.EXE). Selecting "properties" from within WTM, there is no date associated with the explorer.exe file executing per WTM. However, viewing file properties from within WTM indicates a previously named version of the file as "EXPLORER.EXE" but no file date (see following) ...
I submitted the separate explorer.exe versions to Webroot file submission. All came back OK.
Disc Check and Internet Connection
Prior to Win 10 the PC in question was the most stable system imaginable. Bullet proof. Sonce the system began locking up without Windows Task Manager running and open on the desk top, the system periodically demands a disc check during reboot. This action takes time so I tend to ignore the prompt. If I delay running run disc check enough times, the system begins closing Windows Task Manager by itself and locks up, again demanding a disc check upon reboot.
When I run disc check during reboot, it is roughly a 30 hour process. I am not exagerating this. It takes almost a day and a half to disc check this machine when it demands a disc check be completed. HOWEVER, I allowed a disc check recently when my router was down (was working on cable issues). The disc check completes in under 20 minutes.
The above is not an exageration and is highly reproducible. Disc chek on reboot connected to the Iinternet = 30 hours. Disc check w/o Internet = 20 minutes.
Router Data Usage
The third issue for consideration concerns my monthly data use. I live in a remote desert area and utilize a sateliet connection for Internet. I am limited to 150 Gigs of up + down per month and I never go above my monthly data alotment. However, my router (a Netgear Blackhawk) has built in usage limit) set to the same 150 Gig allocation. While I never excede the monthly limit as defined by the ISP, my router reports data usage at 4 to 5 times that of the provider. I am forced to reset the usage monitor weekly.
A New Explorer In Most New Folders
I do not have capture of this as proof for every instance, however, I managed earlier to capture a snag and then submit to Webroot a file named simply "explorer". It appeared in a newly created folder this morning. The Date Modified time coincides with the create time of the folder. I have seen the file before but never managed to snag or copy until today.
In Summary
All of this is possibly a confluence of misinterpretted and unrelated issues. Or, it could be something more sinister. I have absolutely no idea. Webroot and every other virus tool reports nothing. However, the PC behaves oddly. I have again and again researched this issue as a virus or root issue and come up with nothing. I have also posted in several MS boards for an explanation. Nada on that effort. My next step is to completely blow the system and do a total rebuild on a new drive. There is so much history in the system I find that difficult to do. So, giving this one last shot here.
Does the above raise a red flag for anyone, is any of this familiar to anyone, and in general, what are thioughts here?
Dave