We review files commonly found on (mainly Windows) computers. Many users find these files and become concerned that they may be a virus or other forms of malware such as spyware or trojans.
We look at the following types of files:
Executable .exe Files
These executable files are working programs used by the computer to perform tasks.
They are used by the Windows operating system and any legitimate software used by users. But they are also the way used by hackers to run viruses and other malware.
Some examples:
Userinit.exe, an executable file, runs the Windows startup process, loading users’ preferences on log in. The name of this executable is …
Bootsect.exe is the executable file within Windows that runs the Boot Sector Manipulation Tool. This is an important program which …
The name of this executable file, taskhostw.exe, stands for Task Host for Windows, and it is another program that …
cplexe.exe is an obsolete file, part of the old Windows XP operating system and is not included in modern versions …
The unusual name of Toaster.exe gets it some extra attention. However the file is common and is part of Dell’s …
Steam.exe is an essential executable for running the Steam Client. Steam is a company that distributes video games to computer …
This executable is fairly new and is not a critical file on most Windows computers. It is a piece of …
Winload.exe is short for, as you may have guessed, Windows Loader, a very basic program that helps Windows to start …
Regedit.exe controls the Windows Registry Editor, which allows users to make changes to their computer set up. But is it …
What is ntvdm.exe? NTVDM.exe is an authorized executable file that is part of the Microsoft Windows operating system. The .exe extension …
Developed by Microsoft Corporation, MigSetup.exe, is an executable file. It’s usually about 40448 bytes in size, but the version you …
What Should You Do If You Find A File Called Halo.exe On Your PC? If you have found a file on …
The file printfilterpipelinesvc.exe, is the part of Microsoft Windows which enables XPS printer driver functionality. The full details are below: File Name:printfilterpipelinesvc.exeFile …
Developed by Microsoft Corporation, GrooveMonitor.exe, is an executable file, part of the now defunct Microsoft Office Groove software from the …
wbengine.exe is an executable file developed by Microsoft as part of Windows Back Up & Restore functionality. It runs the …
Developed by Microsoft Corporation, fsavailux.exe is an executable file. It’s usually about 6656 bytes in size, but the version you …
Securityhealthservice.exe runs the Windows Security Health Center, part of the Microsoft Windows Defender security system. But is this file safe? The …
Developed by Microsoft Corporation, TabTip.exe, is an executable file which runs the Tablet PC Input Panel which that converts …
Developed by Mamesick, chdman.exe, is an executable file used by the MAMEUIFX32 arcade game emulation software. It allows users to play …
Net.exe, is an executable file developed by Microsoft Corporation, that runs the Microsoft Windows Networking Process. But is it safe? …
Fixmapi.exe, is an executable file developed by Microsoft Corporation, that runs the FIXMAPI 1.0 MAPI Repair Tool Windows Process. But …
OfficeHubTaskHost.exe was developed by Cerulean Studios for Microsoft Office 2016. It is an executable file used in Office’s Hub Task …
onenotem.exe, is an executable file that runs the Microsoft Office OneNote Quick Launcher. The full details are below: File Name:ONENOTEM.EXEFile Extension:EXE file …
vsserv.exe is the executable file that runs the BitDefender internet security software package. But is it safe? How can it …
netsh.exe, is an executable file which runs the network command shell (Netsh) utility, part of the Windows Operating system. Here’s …
Developed by Microsoft Corporation, bootmgr.exe, is an executable file that runs the Windows Boot Manager. This assists your computer to …
The file sihost.exe runs the Windows Shell Experience Host used by the Windows graphical interface to manage things like the …
Developed by Microsoft Corporation, SpeechModelDownload.exe, is an executable file. It’s part of Windows’ Cortana speech functionality. The full details are below: File …
WWAHost.exe is the file that hosts and executes a Windows Store app using JavaScript via the Microsoft WWA Host process. The …
Developed by Microsoft Corporation, sndrec32.exe, is an executable file, introduced in Windows XP to run the Microsoft Windows Sound Recorder …
Osppsvc.exe is an executable file, developed by Microsoft to run the Office Software Protection Platform Service. This manages the licensing …
The executable file known as MusNotifyIcon.exe is part of the Microsoft Windows 10 Operating System and usually safe. Here we investigate …
Developed by Adobe Systems Incorporated, reader-sl.exe, is an executable file. It’s usually safe but may be used to hide malware …
The cefsharp.browsersubprocess.exe executable file allows a developer to embed the Chromium web browser into C# or VB.Net programs using the …
What Is ctfmon.exe? ctfmon.exe is a Microsoft Windows exe file that runs the Alternative User Input and Office Language bar. These …
What Is mom.exe? mom.exe is an exe file, part of AMD’s Catalyst Control Center. This is the performance management software for computers using AMD …
dsmain.exe is an executable file used in Qihoo’s 360 Total Software suite, used to guard against viruses and other malware. But is …
Should you remove the msascuil.exe file? Is it a type of spyware, virus, trojan, or is a legitimate file that …
jaureg.exe is an executable file that comes as part of the Java(TM) Platform SE Auto Updater 2.0. It was manufactured …
The wicainventory.exe file is usually safe and does not harm computers. However, some people may find it over-utilizing their CPUs …
tieringengineservice.exe is part of a special European edition of Windows 10 made to comply with EU law. Find out more …
If you have the latest version of the Windows 10 Operating System, you might have encountered cofire.exe. This executable file …
Feedback.exe is part of the now-discontinued Agnitum Outpost Firewall Pro, software that provided a secure firewall to protect systems from …
CMigrate.exe is an executable file that has been developed by Microsoft Corporation as a part of its Office 365 Home …
WinKavApp.exe is adware software written by Boxer. All internet users are prone to come across malicious adware. The advertisements will hit …
The ngentask.exe file is part of the Microsoft .NET Framework. Does your computer run on the Microsoft Operating System? Then you …
Like many executable files on this site, rwinsta.exe is indispensable for the proper operation of the Windows Operating System. …
The filesyncconfig.exe file is part of the Microsoft OneDrive software program. It’s safe on its own and usually doesn’t present …
Today we’re talking about the dmclient.exe file. We’re bringing you all you need to know about this executable file. Many …
The accelerometerst.exe file is part of the Mobile Data Protection System, designed by HP, and is usually safe. Here we …
.dll Files
DLL files are shared libraries of common functions used by executable files.
Rather than each Windows programs containing code for these functions, they call on the common library to access these common funtions.
This saves memory and is a more efficient use of computing power.
Here are some examples:
RGSS202E.dll is used in games developed using the RPG Maker software and is usually safe. However, out of date dll files, or files masquerading as safe dlls, should be fixed …
What Is vcomp140.dll? vcomp140.dll is a DLL file, part of the “Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2015”, a Microsoft product. Sometimes the error ‘vcomp140.dll Is Missing’ is received, especially when trying to …
What Is AVChrome.dll? AVChrome.dll is a DLL file associated with the AVG Anti Virus software package. Sometimes the error ‘AVChrome.dll Is Missing’ is received, especially when trying to run this software. We take …
What Is Libcef.dll? Libcef.dll is a DLL file associated with the Chromium Embedded Framework. It is used to embed the open-source Chromium web browser into another application. Who Wrote This Libcef.dll File? Chromium …
What Is LogiLDA.dll? LogiLDA.dll is a DLL file associated with the Logitech Download Assistant, usually downloaded when installing a Logitech piece of hardware, such as a mouse, webcam, or keyboard, onto …
Guides & Reviews
We also have guides on everything to do with the cybersecurity world, including:
The Best Malware Removal Tools. Reviews of the top 5 tools to remove trojans, spyware , viruses and other malware from your computer.
Learn how to show hidden files in Windows 10. As great as Windows is, it doesn’t always make it easy for you to find your files, especially hidden files. We …
What is the best online scanner? Reviews of software built to ensure the Microsoft Office and zipped files you download are safe.
