Should you remove the agcinvokerutility.exe file from your computer? Is the exe file a virus, trojan, or some spyware? Could it be a legitimate file?
We investigate!
If you were checking the performance of your computer, trying to figure out all those processes on your Task manager and came across the agcinvokerutility.exe file, a program you know you never downloaded and are now stuck on whether to delete it or not, what would your first reaction be?
In this article, we’ll help you figure out more about the agcinvokerutility.exe file, and what you should do about the file.
What is agcinvokerutility.exe?
agcinvokerutility.exe, also known as the GC Invoker Utility, is a product of Adobe Systems, Inc.
If it’s in your computer system, you should know that the file is one of the non-essential and even harmful executable files that could cause damage to your computer.
According to experts, and most of the leading anti-virus protection companies around, the agcinvokerutility.exe file is one of the harmful executable files found in computers.
Wondering how it got into your computer? The file infects your system through spammy email attachments, external storage devices, as well as free downloadable apps.
Once in your system, the file will be displayed as a fake sponsored link or an ad. As soon as you click and install the agcinvokerutility.exe file, this malicious program will execute drop files or worse harmful software cracking codes that create backdoors into your computer system and files.
You can find this file in this folder: Path: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\AdobeGCClient\AGCInvokerUtility.exe. This is the original/ right location of the file. But you will know that you are dealing with an infection or malware when you find the file located here: C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 or in any other folder.
Is agcinvokerutility.exe Safe? Should You Remove It?
agcinvokerutility.exe is a malicious file, and therefore, it’s not safe. So, yes, you should remove it if you find it on your computer.
When is agcinvokerutility.exe Not Safe?
Some of the symptoms or issues that signal the immediate removal of the files include:
- Modification of your system’s settings
- Damage to your registry files
- Disabled security programs
- Strange sounds to your video card’s cooler
- Blocking of system updates in an attempt to hide the identity of the agcinvokerutility.exe file.
How to Remove the agcinvokerutility.exe file
Option 1- Remove the Unwanted Program from your Operating System
On Windows 8 or 8.1, Right-click the right-most corner of your desktop screen then select the Control Panel.
In the control panel, click the Uninstall Programs option in the Programs and Features option. Next, locate the agcinvokerutility.exe file. Finally, click the Uninstall button. Windows 7 (Click Start, Control Panel, Programs, and Features).
If you use the Mac OS, Go to Finder and then open your Applications folder. Here, search for the suspicious applications then drag them off to the trash.
Option 2 – Removal of the Suspicious and Unwanted Browser Extensions and Add-ons
Since the malicious file gets into your system mostly through links and ads from the internet, you might want to start by removing all the malicious links and extensions from your browser.
Google Chrome
- Open your Chrome browser then click on the settings tab. Under settings, select Extensions.
- In the extensions window, run a search for agcinvokerutility.exe file, as well as any other extensions that look suspicious and then delete them.
- When done, you should reset the homepage and the search engine. For the reset, go to the bottom of the Settings page, select advanced settings and at the bottom of this page, click on the Reset browser option.
Internet Explorer
- If you use Internet Explorer as your browser, click the cogwheel icon, then select the Manage Add-ons option from the menu.
- Next, choose the Toolbar, and the extensions tab then run a search for agcinvokerutility.exe then delete or disable that extension.
- To reset the browser, go to Internet Options, select Advanced, and select the Reset option.
Mozilla Firefox
- Open the Firefox browser, type in Add-ons on your address bar. On the new window that opens, search for agcinvokerutility.exe in the extensions or any other extensions that you don’t recognize or the ones that look suspicious. Click on the Remove button.
- Next, select the orange icon (FIirefox) and select Help then select the Troubleshooting Information option. Here, click the Reset Firefox option. Repeat the reset to ensure that you’ve actually reset the system.
Safari
- Open the browser then click on the Safari menu. Doing this gives you a drop-down menu – select Reset Safari.
Option 3 – Identify all the Registry Entries Created by agcinvokerutility.exe
Windows Users – Press on Windows+R keys simultaneously. In the Run window that appears, type in Regedit. This opens the Registry Editor Window. In this window look for and the delete every registry item that’s associated with the agcinvokerutility.exe program.
Now select File then click the Export options and save the identified file in local disk C as a regbackup and then select Save.
Next, select Edit, then Find and type in agcinvokerutility.exe. To run the search, press the F3 file. Once you identify the item in question, read it again to ensure that it’s an actual link to the agcinvokerutility.exe program. Delete it.
Keep pressing F3 as you delete the different items related to agcinvokerutility.exe until you clear all the links.
Mac Users – Hold the Option Key in the Go window then select Finder in the Library Folder. Here, find all the agcinvokerutility.exe links and the related entries and then start deleting them one after the other. When done, recheck the folder to make sure that you’ve deleted everything.
Option 4 – Restore the Browser Settings/ Run Systems Scan
To detect and eliminate any and all risks and vulnerabilities on your PC, you should restore your browser to its default settings and then run a full system scan. This is an essential step since the agcinvokerutility.exe program is known to hide in files, getting restored if browser changes are untouched.
Just remember that restoring your browser will get rid of all your saved bookmarks, passwords, and every other important information saved in the browser. If you are worried about this, consider using a removal tool like the Spyhunter Antivirus that allows you to filter your browser settings before you can restore the default settings.
Now, you know that the agcinvokerutility.exe file is a non-essential component in your computer system, and if you find it on your computer, the chances are that the program file is harmful.
