Resolve Problems Related to the Tfswctrl.exe Process

Tfswctrl.exe belongs to the Drive Letter Access (DLA) component, which is part of the DirectCD software. DirectCD is a Packet Writing software manufactured by HP, VERITAS and Sonic Solutions. The process allows a user to write data on CDs or DVDs by using Windows Explorer. This process is not an essential system process, but it should not be terminated unless you suspect that it is causing errors and problems on your computer.

File Information

The Tfswctrl.exe process runs at system startup and enables the DLA component of program writing software to work properly. This is an essential process if you are not using the usual CD/DVD writing software such as Roxio or Nero. Tfswctrl.exe basically controls the readability of combo disk drivers. If you don’t have this file on your system, you may still be able to write disks, but will not be able to read from them.

By default, the tfswctrl .exe file is located in the C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\ folder. You will find entries related to it in the following locations within the Windows registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, C:\Windows\system.ini, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce, , , -, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce

Some of the commonly known sizes of the Tfswctrl .exe file on Windows XP are 127,035, 122,939, 114,741, 122,933, 106,549, 102,455, 118,843, 32,821, 118,837, 102,453, 135,227, 16,897, 131,131, 114,742, 37,451, 37,473, 38,924, 106,496, 27,660, 24,076 bytes, 497,664, 24,588, 37,822, 122,880, 159,797, 37,388, and 23,564 bytes.

Tfswctrl .exe Errors and Fixes

You may receive a Tfswctrl .exe error message if the DLA software becomes corrupt or incompatible with other applications such as Packet Writing Utilities on your system. For example, the DLA may generate the following error when you install Windows XP Service Pack 2 on your computer:

“Direct Access Component has encountered a problem and needs to close”

This error is generated due to an incompatibility between Windows XP Service Pack 2 and earlier versions of DLA or the Tfswctrl .exe process.

You can solve this problem by installing an updated version of the DLA software. You can download the updates from your computer manufacturer’s website.

If updating your DLA does not resolve the Tfswctrl .exe application error, then next thing you can do is to disable the program. You can disable the program by using the following method:

1. Open the Start menu, select Run.
2. Type msconfig in the Open box and click OK to launch the System Configuration Utility.
3. On the Startup tab, search for the tfswctrl.exe or tfswctrl process and then clear its checkbox
4. Click Apply and Close to save your settings and exit the dialog box.
5. Choose Restart when asked to reboot your PC.

In case the tfswctrl.exe error still remains, then the only option you have left is to remove DLA completely from your system. To uninstall the software, you may use the Windows Add or Remove Programs utility. However, if you are facing problems, you may seek the help of a reliable third-party program uninstaller tool, such as Perfect Uninstaller. Also, after performing the installation clean up your registry by using an efficient registry tool, such as RegGenie, to ensure complete software removal by getting rid of any left-behind orphaned entries related to the program.

Dealing with Common Svchost.exe Errors

The svchost.exe is the generic host process for Win32 services on your Windows computer. This process is used to administer Dynamic Link Library (DLL) files and a few other supplementary applications on your Windows computer.

DLL files are primarily files comprising functions that are separately complied, linked and saved from the processes that use them.  DLL files help in saving both disk space and system resources. Although useful, DLL files cannot run by themselves and need to use another executable program to do the job. This task is carried out by the svchost.exe file.

File Information

By default, the svchost.exe file is located in the %SystemRoot%\System32 folder. When your system is booting up the svchost.exe process checks your Windows registry for the services that need to be loaded at startup. While working as a host to run DLL files, the svshost.exe file creates multiple instances of itself to run different DLL files. Each session of the svchost.exe file can comprise a group of services. This is the reason why you may have multiple services running depending on how and where the svchost.exe service starts. The grouping of services by using the svchost.exe process ensures easier debugging, better control, and a more stable system.

Svchost.exe Errors and Solutions

The following error message may be displayed when you start your Windows XP computer:

“Generic Host Process for Win32 Services has encountered a problem and needs to close."

Also, the following message may be displayed when you attempt to download updates on the same PC:

"Svchost.exe application error. The instruction at "Ox745f2780" referenced memory at 0x00000000000000. The memory could not be read."

Cause of the Error

These errors occur when there is some problem with some of the files that are required to perform the updates.

Resolution Method

To resolve this issue, you may have to replace the problem files with healthy files. To do this, perform the steps listed below:

1. On the Start menu, select Run, type net stop wuauserv and then press Enter to stop the Windows Automatic Update service.
2. In Windows Explorer, navigate to and delete the C:\WuTemp folder.
3. Next, on the Start menu, select Run, type net stop cryptsvc and press Enter to stop the Cryptographic Services.
4. Now, in Windows Explorer delete the C:\Windows\System32\Catroot2 folder.
5. Next, in the C:\Windows folder, navigate to and change the name of the SoftwareDistribution folder to SoftwareDistributionOLD.
6. Finally, in the C:\Windows\system32 folder rename the following DLL files from dllFile.dll to dllFile.old
   • Wuweb.dll
   • Wuapi.dll
   • Wuauclt.exe
   • Wuaucpl.cpl
   • Wuaueng1.dll
   • Wuaueng.dll
   • Wuauserv.dll
   • Wucltui.dll
   • Wups2.dll
   • Wups.dll
7. After you are done, reboot your system.

If your Windows XP computer is configured to perform automatic updates, then you may receive the following error message when Windows tries to run an update:

"svchost.exe - Application Error

Also, if you open the Application log in the Event Viewer, you may notice an entry similar to the one listed below:

The instruction at "0x745f2780" reference memory at "0x00000000". The memory could not be 'read'."

In addition to the above errors, when you close the “svchost.exe – Application Error” message box you may not be able to run any programs on the system. You’ll be able to work only if you leave the error message box open. Even if you try to shutdown the PC, the system may stop responding.

"Date: DateOfError
Time: TimeOfError
Type: Error
User: N/A
Computer: YourComputerName
Source: Application
Error Category: (100)
Event ID: 1000

Description:

Faulting application svchost.exe, version 5.1.2600.2180, faulting module msi.dll, version 3.1.4000.2435, fault address 0×00012780.”

Cause of the Error

These problems usually occur if there is some problem with the Windows Automatic Update process.

Resolution Method

To resolve this issue, you may download and install a hotfix from the Microsoft Support Web site.

Workaround Solutions

Method 1

Leave the svchost.exe – Application Error message box open as is and proceed to perform the following steps:

1. Verify the settings for the Automatic Updates service and for the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS.)
   1. At Start > Run, type services.msc and then press Enter to display the Services management console window.
   2. Locate and double-click on Automatic Updates to open its properties window.
   3. On the Log On tab, ensure that:
      • Local System account option is selected.
      • The Allow service to interact with desktop check box is clear.
      • The service is enabled in the Hardware Profile list-if not, click Enable to enable it.
   4. On the General tab:
      • In the Startup Type list, ensure that Automatic option is selected.
      • If the service is not running, click the Start button to start it.
   5. Repeat the steps for the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS).
2. At Start > Run, use the REGSVR32 dllName.dll command to register the following files:
   • WUAPI.DLL
   • WUAUENG.DLL
   • WUAUENG1.DLL
   • ATL.DLL
   • WUCLTUI.DLL
   • WUPS.DLL
   • WUPS2.DLL
   • WUWEB.DLL
3. Rename the temporary windows update folder by doing the following:
   1. On the Start menu, select Run, type net stop wuauserv and then press Enter to stop the Windows Automatic Update service.
   2. On the Start menu, select Run, type %windir% and press Enter.
   3. Rename the SoftwareDistribution folder to SoftwareDistribution old.
   4. Run net start Wuauserv to start the Automatic Updates service.

Method 2

If nothing works, disable automatic updates from the Security Center control panel. However, take care to perform manual PC updates on a regular basis to keep your PC updated at all times.

It is also recommended that you use a driver scanner tool, such as Driver Finder to keep all your device drivers up-to-date and free from problems.

Dealing With Wscntfy.exe Virus Problems

Wscntfy.exe or Windows Security Center Notification App is a Microsoft Windows operating system file that belongs to the Windows Security Center. On your Windows computer, Windows Security Center helps in managing your system’s security settings. To help you protect your PC, Security Center ensures that firewall, automatic updates, and virus protection features are always enabled.

File Information

By default, you will find the wscntfy.exe file in the C:\Windows\System32 folder.  The most common file size in Windows XP is 13,824 bytes. You may also find the file in 23,040 and 17,408 byte sizes. Wscntfy.exe is a trustworthy Windows system file that has a visible Window.

Wscntfy.exe Virus Problems

Although wscntfy.exe is a safe file, sometimes malware programs, such as viruses or  Trojan horses may place an infected version of the same file on your computer. Some of the malware programs known to add the infected wxcntfy.exe file to your computer are given below:

You may receive the following error message if there is an infected wscntfy.exe file on your computer.

"Wscntfy.exe tried to access port 3752."

At times, you may also notice files with names similar to wscntfy.exe running on your computer. If you find any such file running on your computer or you receive the error message listed above, it is quietly likely that your PC is infected with a malware. If this happens, then you may perform the following tasks to resolve the issue:

• First, update your antivirus and antispyware software and then run a full system scan. To ensure that the scan is effective, exit all applications and Windows currently open on your computer. If the scan reports infected files, take appropriate action to get rid of them. Also, to prevent future infections, choose the latest security tools for your PC and choose tools that provide real-time protection. Also, to ensure that your PC is safe and protected against the latest malware at all times, schedule regular full system scans and virus definition updates.
• Viruses, Trojan horses and spyware are notorious for adding several malicious entries in the Windows registry. This is the reason why to ensure complete removal of these malware programs from your PC, it is essential that you sweep your registry clean to remove all malicious entries from it. You can do this task manually by using the Windows Registry Editor tool that is launched by running the regedit command. However, Registry Editor provides minimal registry maintenance features and even in Windows Vista most of the registry maintenance needs to be done manually. As this is a tedious and complex process, chances of errors are quite high.
• To workaround this situation, you can seek help of a good registry tool, such as RegGenie. The powerful features of RegGenie will enable you to clean your registry within minutes. You will also be able to repair any corrupt or damaged registry entries to resolve all computer errors generated by them.

Resolve Microsoft Zoo Tycoon 2 Startup.exe Error

Startup.exe is an executable file that is used to launch various software programs. For example, it is used to launch the Microsoft Zoo Tycoon 2 game. You may receive the following error message when you try to start the Zoo Tycoon 2 game:

"Another instance of startup.exe is already running."

Also, when you double-click the Zoo Tycoon 2 icon to launch it, the start screen may not display and the may game fail to start.

Resolution Method

Depending on the problem you face, you may use one of the following methods to resolve your problem:

Method 1: Stop the already running Startup.exe process

1. Right-click on taskbar, and then select Task Manager.
2. In the Task Manager window, open the Processes tab.
3. Locate startup.exe in the Image Name column, right-click on it and then select End Process.
4. If prompted, click Yes to confirm your decision.
5. Exit Task Manager and try to open Zoo Tycoon 2 again.

Note: If you are using Windows Vista, then type taskmgr in the Start Search box and then press Enter.

Method 2: Change the settings of the Zoo Tycoon 2 shortcut

To change the settings, perform the following steps:

1. Right-click on the Zoo Tycoon shortcut on the Desktop and then click Properties.
2. In the Target box on the Shortcut tab, change the file name from startup.exe to zt.exe. Do not make any other change. After you have made the change the new path should look like-along with the quotation marks:

“C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Zoo Tycoon 2\zt.exe”

3. Next, click the OK button to save your changes and exit the properties dialog box.
4. After the change is done double-click on the shortcut to launch the Zoo Tycoon 2 game.

Note: If the Zoo Tycoon shortcut is not on your Desktop, in Windows Explorer, navigate to the Zoo Tycoon folder within the Program Files folder. In the Zoo Tycoon folder, right-click on Startup.exe, select Create Shortcut, and then select Yes to create the shortcut on the Desktop.

Startup.exe is also known to belong to spyware programs. So, if you notice startup.exe process running on your computer without any reason, it is quite likely that your PC is infected. If this is the case, you must immediately update your antispyware software and perform a thorough scan of your computer. If you have still not invested in an antispyware tool, it is recommended that you go opt for a reliable and efficient tool, such as StopZilla. This tool enables you to perform a thorough scan of your system and the registry and sweeps your PC clean for any information related to spyware.

Spyware programs are known to add several registry entries, some even embedded, non-removable ones that at times, make it practically impossible to get rid of them. This is the reason why, it is recommended that you use an advanced registry tool, such as RegGenie and perform a deep registry scan and clean up. Doing this will help you remove all unwanted and malicious spyware entries and ensure complete spyware removal.

Resolve Problems Related to the SynTPEnh.exe Process

Syntpenh.exe is a Synaptics touchpad driver that is installed on laptops using the Synaptics touchpad. The syntpenh process offers additional configuration and support for the touchpad. At times, the process is essential for some computer configurations. For example, IBM Thinkpads that have UnltraNav, which is a pointstick and touchpad combo, requires the syntpenh.exe process to enable certain advanced features such as scrolling.

File Information

SynTPEnh.exe is a Microsoft signed file and it is loaded during the Windows start up process. By default, the file is stored in the C:\ProgramFiles\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe folder. In the Windows registry, the entries related to syntpenh.exe can be located in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run registry key.

On Windows Vista, the size of the syntpenh.exe file can be around 808 Kb and on Windows XP the file is known to be found in the following sizes:  688,218, 512,000, 761,947, 536,576, 610,304, 729,178 bytes, , 761,945 , 761,946, 495,616, 499,712, 815,104, 557,056, 774,233, 794,713, 491,520, 569,344, 827,392, 352,256, 1,015,808, 708,698, 857,648, 684,032, 729,177, 401,408, 766,041, 413,696, 1,021,224, 532,480, 397,312 bytes, 1,045,800, 577,536, 581,632, 1,024,000, 507,904, 614,400, 37,760, 1,029,416, 37,163, 503,808, 1,573,160, 26,636, 36,996, 27,660, 606,208, 573,440, 737,369, 684,123, 692,315, 737,370, 16,897 bytes, 25,600, 692,314, 14,860, 684,122, 688,217, 1,348,904, and 851,968 bytes.

Should Syntpenh.exe be Disabled?

Although the syntpenh.exe process is not an essential Windows process, you should not remove it unless you suspect that it is causing errors and your system hang ups. It is recommended not to disable this executable file as it is required for various essential applications to run properly.

Syntpenh.exe Errors and Fixes

The following syntpenh.exe related error can occur if you leave your computer with this process idle for more than 15-20 minutes.

“Syntpenh.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.”

This error can be fixed by downloading and installing an updated version of the Synaptics Touchpad driver. The driver can be downloaded  from the Synaptics official website.

Synaptic Touchpad drivers can also cause the following problems:

• Excessive CPU usage
• Problems in the installation of specific software packages.
• Frequent laptop freeze ups.

In most cases, these errors are fixed when you download the updated versions of  the driver definitions. To ensure that your device drivers are updated at all times, you may seek the help of a reliable driver scanner tool, such as Driver Finder.

In case the problem persists, follow the steps listed below to stop the process.

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to open the Task Manager.
2. On the Processes tab, select the SYNTPENH and SYNTPLPR processes one-by-one and then click the End Process button to kill them.

When you disable this process, keep in mind that you will no longer be able to use your laptop’s touchpad and may need to attach an external mouse to your laptop.

Determining if Syntpenh.exe is a Virus or Spyware

Syntpenh.exe by itself is not harmful to your computer. It may not be a Windows system file, but it can be essential for running some input devices and removing it can cause you inconvenience and unnecessary problems.

However, it has been seen that when your system is infected by a malicious program, the virus or spyware may take the name of an existing windows process. For example a virus or spyware can take names very similar to Syntpenh.exe, such as syntenh.exe, syntpnh.exe, or syntpeh.exe. This is the reason why it is essential for you to know all the process running on your system. You can check the running processes by using the Task Manager. If you find some suspicious processes running on your system, then check the location of the specific files to determine they are harmful or not.

In case you are not sure about the authenticity of the file then do not attempt to just delete it because doing this may cause more problems. At this point, you should scan your system with a reliable antivirus and antispyware software to detect any malicious program and then remove it from your PC.

In some cases Syntpenh.exe errors can also occur due to incorrect or corrupt entries in the system registry. In such cases it is advisable to scan and clean your Windows registry using an advanced and reliable registry cleaner tool, such as RegGenie.

The Wdfmgr.exe Process, Error, and Fixes

Wdfmgr.exe or the Windows User Mode Driver Framework service is a critical Windows process, which is used by higher versions of Windows Media Player and different driver run hardware devices. This process gets added to your Windows Task Manager when you install Windows Media Player version 10 or above on a Windows XP Service Pack 2 computer. Wdfmgr.exe service is required to synchronize your Media player with other hardware players such as an MP3 player. This process enables WDF or Windows Driver Foundation capability and gives your Windows device drivers an added stability.

File Information

The wdfmgr.exe file is a Microsoft signed file and not a Windows core file. This is the reason why it should not be removed from your system unless you suspect it to be a cause of system crashes and errors. By default, the wdfmgr.exe file is located within the C:\WINDOWS\system32\ folder.  Some of the known file sizes of the wdfmgr.exe process on Windows XP are: 38,912, 37,888, 115,712, 49,664, 44,544, 50,176, and 216,832 bytes.

Wdfmgr.exe Error and Fixes

Even though wdfmgr.exe is a Microsoft signed file and is generally harmless, there are times that you might face some application errors, boot or run-time errors. One of the common errors that you may face is discussed below.

Error Message: “Wdfmgr.exe has encountered a problem and needed to close.”

Additionally, you may also encounter high CPU usage problems by this file. You may work around these problems, by removing or disabling the wdfmgr.exe process or by setting it to manual. To do this, perform the following steps:

1. Open the Start menu, select Run, type services.msc, and then click OK.
2. In the Services management console window, locate and right-click on Windows User Mode Driver Framework, and then select Properties.
3. Next, on the General tab, select Disabled or Manual in the Startup type box and then click OK to save your changes.
4. Select OK

Is Wdfmgr.exe a Virus or Spyware?

The wdfmgr.exe process in itself is not harmful to your computer. However, in some cases there are chances that a malicious program such as a virus or a spyware camouflages or saves itself under a name very similar to Wdfmgr.exe such as dfmgr.exe, wfmgr.exe, wdmgr.exe, wdfgr.exe, and wdfmr.exe.

To determine if the process running on a your computer is harmful or not first check what all processes are currently running by opening the Windows Task Manager. To open the Task Manager, press Ctrl + Alt + Del key combination on your Windows XP computer. If you see a conspicuous file running, search for its location on the disk. You will then need to end this process in the Task Manager and delete the file. However, malware programs may link deeply into your PC and therefore, deleting the malware files directly may generate more errors on your computer. This is the reason why it is recommended that you use reliable antivirus and antispyware tools to perform a thorough PC scan and get rid of all malware files and programs.

There are times when you face problems related to exe files because of incorrect or corrupted registry entries. To avoid these issues and to keep your registry clean and error free it is recommended that you scan it regularly by using a user-friendly, reliable, and efficient registry tool, such as RegGenie.

How to Deal with High CPU Usage Spoolsv.exe Problem

The spoolsv.exe executable file handles the printing process on a Microsoft Windows System. The process is responsible for queuing printing tasks. This enables users to continue with their work while different tasks are sequentially printed and users do not have to wait for printing tasks to be completed one after the other.

File Location

The file is located in C:\Window\System32 folder. This file is a Windows core system file and by default, loads automatically at system startup.

Can spoolsv.exe be safely removed from the Task Manager processes?

Yes, you can safely end this process. If you are not using a printer then you can close this process through the Task Manager. To do this, press Ctrl + Alt + Del to open the Windows Task Manager and then open the Processes tab. Locate and right-click on the spoolsv.exe process and select End Process.

Please note that you should not terminate the spoolsv.exe process while you are using the printer, as this action will prevent you from sending any more print jobs to your printer.

Problems associated with spoolsv.exe process

At times, you may find the spoolsv.exe process to be using 99% or 100% CPU usage. This usually happens when the printer spooler folder is filled up with unwanted files. You can fix this problem by following the steps listed below:

1. Go to Start, Settings and click Control Panel
2. In the Control Panel window, first double-click on Administrative Tools and then on Services.
3. In the right pane of the Services window locate and right-click on Print Spooler and then select Stop.
4. After you have stopped this process, leave the Service window open. Now open My Computer and navigate to the following folder.
   c:\windows\system32\spool\PRINTERS - in Windows Vista, XP, 98/95/ME

   or

   c:\winnt\system32\spool\PRINTERS - in Windows NT\2000

5. Delete all the files in the Printers folder. After deleting the files in this folder, go back to Services window, right-click on Print Spooler, and then select start to re-enable the service.

How to determine if the spoolsv.exe file is a virus or spyware

Although the true spoolsv.exe file is a safe file, many malicious programs are known to disguise themselves as spoolsv.exe. In fact, the spoolsv.exe file is also a known backdoor vulnerability that is used by hackers to infiltrate your system. A backdoor, in computer terms, refers to a method through which hackers gain access to your computer by cracking the various system authentication processes. Backdoors install harmful programs on your computer that usually disguise themselves by taking the same or similar names as existing system processes.

Once a backdoor program installs itself on a user’s computer, it tries to establish a connection with its remote control server. Backdoor programs are generally used by hackers to steal your personal information, such as e-mail passwords, credit card numbers and banking details. Therefore, it is imperative that you take appropriate action to get rid of unknown processes running on your PC.

To remove and prevent malicious backdoors, viruses, spyware and worms from gaining access to your machine, you must keep your antivirus and antispyware software updated with the latest definitions and should run regular scans. You should also avoid opening attachments that come with unsolicited e-mails and always keep your Windows operating system, applications and drivers updated at all times to prevent malware from gaining access through security lapses discovered in these software programs.

For Windows operating systems and other Microsoft products be sure  that the Windows Automatic Update is enabled at all times. For drivers, you may seek the help of user-friendly, automatic driver scan and update tools, such as Driver Finder. Additionally, you should regularly scan your system registry using an advanced registry cleaning tool, such as RegGenie to keep it free from malicious and unwanted entries.

Prevent Msmpeng.exe From Running At All Times

The msmpeng.exe process is associated with the Microsoft Windows Defender application and is used to protect your machine from spyware infections. By default, the Windows Defender application is included and enabled in Windows Vista and Windows 2007 versions. Users who use Windows XP can download Windows Defender for free from the Internet.  The msmpeng.exe file is automatically saved on your machine with Windows Live OneCare installation.

File Information

Generally, the file is located in a subfolder of C:\Program Files, however sometimes you may also find the file in a subfolder of C:\. The most common size of the file is 13,592 bytes, but you may also find the msmpeng.exe file in the following sizes:  14,032, 45,840, 18,832, 16,200, 18,704, 18,192, and 18,320 bytes. By default, this process loads automatically at system startup.

Problems Associated With Msmpeng.Exe

Msmpeng.exe is an important process that gives your PC real-time protection against spyware and other malicious programs. However, at times this process is known to use huge amounts of system resources. If you feel msmpeng.exe is clogging your system resources, then you can adjust the settings of the msmpeng.exe process to prevent it from running all the time. Follow the steps listed below to achieve this:

1. Go to Start and select Run
2. Type services.msc in the box that appears and click OK
3. Locate this service in the right-pane and double-click on it.
4. Select the drop-down menu that appears before Start Type and set the option to Manual.
5. Click OK and exit from the Services Window

Can the Msmpeng.Exe Process Be A Virus?

Yes, it is possible. Many malicious programs are known to disguise themselves as the msmpeng.exe file. If you suspect that the msmpeng.exe running on your PC is not a true file or you see msmpeng.exe running even when you do not use Microsoft Windows Defender, then you must check the location where the file is stored. If you find that file is not located in its default location, then it is quite probable that this file is an unsolicited file, which may cause harm to your computer.

Many times, malicious programs use names similar to existing system tasks and files to prevent users from identifying them. For instance, an unsolicited process may be running on your PC as mssmpeng.Exe, msmpengn.exe, and msmpenge.Exe.

You can identify such processes by going through the list of current processes running on your computer. To view current processes, press Ctrl + Alt + Del and click Processes tab in the Windows Task Manager window.

If you see any unsolicited process running, then we recommend that you scan your PC using efficient antivirus and antispyware tools. These tools not only scan, quarantine, and remove the malicious programs present on your PC, but also prevent viruses, spyware, worms, Trojans and other harmful programs from infiltrating your system in the first place.

Malicious programs such as viruses, spyware and Trojan horses often deliberately add embedded keys or alter existing file entries within the registry. Msmpeng.exe errors may also occur if the registry entries of the file are either incorrect or corrupt.

To prevent and fix these issues, you must regularly scan the system registry using an advanced registry cleaning tool, such as RegGenie.  This powerful, yet easy to use registry cleaning tool enables you to weed out incorrect and harmful entries from registry with just a few mouse clicks.

Is Agrsmmsg.exe A Safe File Or A Virus?

Agrsmmsg.exe is associated with AMR (audio-modem riser) modems and is mainly used to adjust settings for these modems. This process is used by your computer to communicate with the internal modem.

Although agrsmmsg.exe is not an essential process, you should avoid terminating this process, unless you suspect it of causing trouble on your PC.

File Information

Agrsmmsg.exe is a Microsoft signed file and is located in the folder C:\Windows or in a subfolder of C:\Windows\System32.  By default, this process loads automatically at system startup.

How To Make Sure Agrsmmsg.Exe Is Not A Virus Or Spyware

Although the true agrsmmg.exe file is safe, many malicious programs, such as viruses and spyware are known to disguise themselves as the agrsmmg.exe file in order to invade and harm your system.

Many times, writers of malicious programs give their files similar names as existing files and processes running on your computer. For instance, an unsolicited process may be present on your PC as aagrsmmsg.exe, aggrsmmsg.exe or agrrsmmsg.exe.

To view current processes, press ctrl+alt+del to open the Windows Task Manager, and click on the Processes Tab. Go through the list of current processes and see if you can locate any discrepancies.

Although helpful, the Task Manager has one drawback in that it does not show the DLL files that are currently running on your PC. Therefore, to check whether a malicious file is running as agrsmmsg.exe or not, you will need to search for files with the name agrsmmsg.exe and see where these files are located. If the files are not located at the correct location (C:\Windows or in a subfolder of C:\Windows\System32) then chances are that it is a malicious file and should be removed from your computer.

How To Correct Agrsmmsg.Exe Problems

Listed below are few pointers that will help you fix problems related to agrsmmsg.exe and other system processes that are infected with or planted by malware programs:

Scan Your PC Regularly For Viruses, Spyware And Other Malicious Programs

The best way to keep your system free from viruses, spyware and other harmful programs is to regularly scan it by using reliable antivirus and anti-spyware utilities. These utilities not only scan your PC and remove all malicious programs from it, but also prevent malicious files from gaining entry into your system in the first place.

Scan Your System’s Registry Regularly

Malicious programs often add a large number of embedded entries or alter existing entries within the registry, causing an increase in system errors and in some cases, even prevent your system from booting up. To prevent this and to maintain a healthy and compact registry it is important for you to regularly scan your system’s registry using an advanced registry cleaning tool, such as RegGenie. A good registry cleaning tool allows you to scan and weed out malicious registry entries in just a few mouse clicks.

Update Your Computer Regularly

Operating system, software and driver manufacturers regularly release security updates to patch up any security vulnerabilities present in their products. Often malicious programs exploit these security vulnerabilities to gain access into your system. To make your system more secure, you must regularly update your operating system, software and system drivers with the latest security releases and patches. To keep your Windows operating system and other Microsoft products up to date you may keep the Automatic Update feature enabled. To easily ensure that your drivers are updated with the latest releases you can seek the help of user-friendly driver scanner tools, such as Driver Finder.

Dealing With Mmc.exe Problems

Mmc.exe is an executable program for MMC (Microsoft Management Console) and is used to display various management plug-ins accessed from the Control Panel, such as the Device Manager and the Services consoles.

File Information

Mmc.exe is a core system file of the Windows Operating System. The file is located in C:\Windows\System32 folder. The most common size of the mmc.exe file is 815,104 bytes, but you may also find it in the following sizes:  774,144, 1,414,656, 1,790,464, 1,792,512, 1,354,752, 815,616, 848,896, 780,800, 774,656, 918,528, and 61,440 bytes.

Should I Terminate This Process?

The mmc.exe process is an integral part of Windows Vista/XP/2003/2000 and loads when you use any Administrative Tools. Although the process is not required for your system to run, you should not terminate this process unless you suspect it of causing problems.

Common Mmc.exe Problem and Solution

You may encounter a problem with mmc.exe when the process does not shut down even after you close the management console window that uses it.

A hotfix is available to fix this particular issue on a Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP1. You can obtain the hotfix from the Microsoft support website and install it on your computer

Can the Mmc.exe file running on my PC be a virus?

Yes, it is possible. Although the true mmc.exe is a safe file, many malware programs are known to disguise themselves as the genuine mmc.exe file. Names of some such malware programs along with their file location are mentioned below:

Note: Here, %SystemRoot% is a variable and refers to the location where Windows is installed. By default, it is C:\Windows for Windows Vista, XP, 98/95/ME and C:\Winnt.for Windows NT.

Also, often malicious programs, such as virus, spyware etc take up similar name as existing system tasks to prevent users from identifying them. For instance, an unsolicited process may be present on your PC as mmmc.exe, mmcc.exe or mcm.exe.

Go through the list of current processes running on your computer to locate any discrepancies. To view current processes, press Ctrl + Alt + Del and click the Processes tab on the Windows Task Manager window. If you see any unsolicited process running, check the location where the file is located, and then kill the process.

Next, you need to delete the file from the system. It is important that you do not attempt to directly delete such unsolicited files, as you may lose important data in doing so. Instead, we recommend that you scan your computer using a reliable antivirus and antispyware utility. These utilities not only scan and remove malicious files from your PC, but also prevent these files from entering your system in the first place.

At times, mmc.exe errors may also occur if the registry entries of the exe file are either incorrect or corrupt. To prevent such errors from occurring, we recommend that you regularly scan your system registry using an advanced registry tool, such as RegGenie.