The cefsharp.browsersubprocess.exe executable file allows a developer to embed the Chromium web browser into C# or VB.Net programs using the Chromium Executable Framework (CEF).
It is usually safe, but can be used by hackers to mask malware and so many users would elect to remove it from their PC. We investigate.
Chromium, CEF and CEFSharp
What Is Chromium?
Chromium is an Google run open-source browser project. It’s similar to Google’s Chrome browser, but available to other software developers to use.
Microsoft Edge, for example, uses Chromium.
What Is The Chromium Embedded Framework
The Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF) is a separate open-source project. It enables applications such as Adobe Acrobat, Minecraft and MATLAB to use this browser.
What Is CEFSharp?
CEFSharp is the C# version. Developers use it to embed a full-featured standards-compliant web browser into C# or VB.NET apps.
Is cefsharp.browsersubprocess.exe Safe?
The Chromium Embedded Framework – and related CEFSharp – is a reputable project. A significant number of major companies, and hence applications, use it.
The related cefsharp.browsersubprocess.exe file should, therefore, be safe.
Is It A Virus?
Hackers can mask viruses by using similarly named files.
One way to check whether such a file is virus is to check the exe file’s location. Malware such as viruses and trojans – with a similar name – are often in a unusual folder.
Hence a good indicator of a file’s providence is its location.
cefsharp.browsersubprocess.exe File Location Check
Here’s how to check the file’s location:
a. Press ctrl-alt-del
b. Click on the ‘Details Tab’. Examine cefsharp.browsersubprocess.exe
c. Highlight the cefsharp.browsersubprocess.exe file
d. Right click and click ‘Properties’ to get the following screen:
e. Note the location (circled)
If the location is C:\\Windows\System32, the test is passed.
cefsharp.browsersubprocess.exe Error Messages
Errors are more likely to be an issue for users than viruses. Users often see the following errors:
- There was a problem starting cefsharp.browsersubprocess.exe
- cefsharp.browsersubprocess.exe Could Not Be Found
- cefsharp.browsersubprocess.exe Is Missing
These errors are caused by:
- Issues with the host
- A recent Windows update which may cause the Logitech program to search in the wrong file location and so could not be found
- An out of date file
- Applications loaded on an old machine
- Too many programs opened on a PC
It is common the find the file in Task Manager too, which often causes concern.
How To Fix cefsharp.browsersubprocess.exe and Chromium Embedded Framework Errors
The safest way to fix cefsharp.browsersubprocess.exe errors is to reinstall the related application. This should reinstall the latest exe files and fix any issues.
An alternative is download the missing file from the project repository of Github – although this is very technical and should only be done by a developer
