How to remove an atapi error
The file atapi.sys is a Windows driver. A driver is a small software program that allows your computer to communicate with hardware or connected devices. This means that a driver has direct access to the internals of the OS, hardware etc.
The free file information forum can help you determine if atapi.sys belonging to the Windows system or an application you can trust.
Run a free scan to check for atapi drivers in need of updating
Atapi.sys file information
The process known as IDE/ATAPI Port Driver or Standard IDE/ESDI Hard Disk Controller belongs to software Standard IDE/ESDI Hard Disk Controller or Microsoft Windows Operating System or Controller disco rigido IDE/ESDI standard by Microsoft (www.microsoft.com).
Description: atapi.sys is located in the folder C:\Windows\System32\drivers.
Known file sizes on Windows 7/XP are 95,360 bytes (82% of all occurrences), 96,512 bytes, 86,912 bytes, 87,040 bytes or 86,656 bytes. 
The driver can be started or stopped from Services in the Control Panel or by other programs.
It is a Windows system file. The program is not visible. The service has no detailed description. There is no file information.
Therefore the technical security rating is 23% dangerous, however also read the users reviews.
Recommended: Identify atapi.sys related errors
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as atapi.sys, particularly when located in the c:\windows or c:\windows\system32 folder. Therefore, you should check the atapi.sys process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.
Score
User Comments
It causes a BSOD
Matthew
Atapi.sys 5.1.2600.1135
Dude
Had a series of BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) starring atapi.sys on a PC running XP.
Signed: Ninja(who? Hint: not Shane)
Is part of a message when I get BSoD, error code 0x0000007A.
Christian
Simple Fix! This error message = defective RAM. Replace RAM and your laptop will spark right up.
Bonappetite
normally a modem file
Don
Can be associated with the Rootkit Pakes.U remove Hard disk and scan on another pc to verify
Brian
I had a virus scan identify that this was infected with a trojan and that it was an important system file. My virus scann and removal software used to remove MSA.exe also killed this file. When I rebooted, I got a virtual loop......without the file the system won't boot. BSOD occurs
Ned
04-Nov-2009 This file is highly susceptible and could become a venom for spyware and attackers at systems grass root level. I found it corrupted and the official name given is Rootkit-Pakes.U. When corrupted, it redirects HTTP traffic at system root level from ‘any’ browser to spam websites seeking traffic attention and redirects search results to websites like http://z7432632.cn
KGB-dupe (further information)
This was reported on my system by Comodo as a Trojan, removed it and caused BSOD on restart, fixed by replacing with an older version of file
Sweet
Rootkit.Win32.TDSS.u
Hans
VIPRE calls it a trojan
Phil
Possible file for rootkit infections. Seek professional help.
This is a windows file but can be infected by a Win32 Virus Olmarik.RF
AlphaOne
Without it windows cannot access the IDE hard drive. So it is usefull ... Corrupted by virus, pay attention not to let you antivirus remove it as it will cause a BSOD (horrible blue screen)
Jul974 (further information)
the virus is win32.cutwail-ad (trj)
j s fisher
my symantec antvirus corporate client keeps flagging it as a back door trojan.
OffPot
Sometimes it is infected with Packed.Protector.C, in that case you will have to replace it with the original file, for which you will need the Windows Recovery CD.
Rens
Probably short for ATA API or interface for ATA hard drives. Gmer listed this file as modified and Avast found that it was infected so i deleted it. Windows would not boot without it (BSOD) so i copied a clean copy over using bart-pe.
drjimmyt
just cleaned from friend's computer, avast! free found it. Now I'm looking to see if I need to download and replace it with a clean copy. It may be what is causing his system to infinite-loop reboot after a nearly complete boot. In conjunction with temp internet file pdffile(1).pdf?
jimnom
it is a virus....very hard to remove as well
Kri
Atapi.sys is a very common target of rootkits, it is a valid file, but can be dangerously modified by many malicious software.
Colin (further information)
search engine redirection
Shishir
virus if wrong size and current date related to pcsecurity hoax program
Dave Hill
My Norton Classified this file as backdoor.Tidserv!inf. More can be read
McFly (further information)
rootkits like page redirect like to hide here
JON
Valid system Driver for the ATA controller, however TDL3 rootkit attacks it, a 17 year old flaw in the Kernel of windows NT4-windows 7. you will know your infected from a Memory BSOD, or your AV claiming it is blocking traffic from 94.228.209.xxx
TheGuru
It's the hard drive driver (which is why it can hide itself from antivitus programs, you ask to scan it and it lies, returning valid info istead of the true infection info). (It can cause a BSOD if it's damaged, since the PC can't access the hard drive without it.)
George S. (further information)
it didn't cause a BSOD, chances are Daemon Tools did
Skrýmir
ide controller driver
James
It's a system file that comes with your computer. HOWEVER, it can be easily infected and become a rootkit. If you by chance know that your atapi.sys is infected, run ComboFix. It will fix the rootkit. Also, an infected atapi.sys will generally redirect most of your searches to seemingly random assures and attack sites. Be careful.
It is an essential Windows system file. It is harmless unless modified by malware. You cannot just delete it.
Neil
Its a vital part of the windows O/S
Geeza
Windows Driver for ATA peripherals, often times infected by a virus
Ben
Atapi,sys is mandatory to boot from your hard drive. It can be infected by malware. You can replace an infected or deleted file with a clean copy from another location on your system. Do a file search for other copies.
PC Doctor
atapi.sys It's an important file to properly boot your Windows if you notice the file bytes is 96+ or 94kb below then it's altered try restoring it from the installation disc unzip the file from cd:\i386\ATAPI.SY_ overwriting(replace) C:\Windows\system32\drivers\atapi.sys
Yaeko Yoshimura (further information)
I'm not sure what it does, but it's making my anti-virus prgram go bonkers. Plus, if you delete it, it just comes back. pretty sure that's indicative of malware
Lorenzo
The atapi.sys is a rootkit that modifies your search engienes. Adverts always come up when I search in Google. I don't know how to remove it or access it because the file is needed by windows and access to view the file is denied.
Dualta
Windows critical file. ATA/IDE controller. Can be infected with rootkits.
Alex F
Atapi.sys is shown as specious modification when it is infected
MOHANRAJ R
gives me a blue screen once a day
elvis
This file is how all of your drives that are atapi (Advanced Technology Attachment with Packet Interface) compatible function. Almost all CD drives and Hard Drives use this, therefore this is a critical system file as without it your computer more than likely will not boot. In windows vista and windows 7 you cannot stop this file using the task manager and therefore reaching this file at all in those two operating systems is not possible without some type of mod (such as an application) is not possible. with xp or earlier this program could be stopped simply by using the task manager. plenty out there just search for ATAPI and u will find tons of info.
Damon
We will see! Making it read only did get rid of redirect problem. Be advised it is an important file--back it up. We are only changing file attributes to restrict use, not deleting the file.
Richard Reddy
Microsoft patch KB977165 or MS10-015 (Feb'10) originally caused BSOD if this file was infected by the Allureon rootkit. The patch was later released (Mar'10) with detection logic so it wouldn't cause the BSOD but instead just fail to install on infected machines. If you experience a BSOD caused by ATAPI.SYS, go to the (further information) link and follow the steps to recover. This is an important Windows file.
Brandon (I.T.) (further information)
It can be a TDSS pragama rootkit
test
After scan with ESET NOD32 Antivirus everything is OK. Sophos AntiRootkit reported "Removable: Yes (but clean up not recommended for this file)"
Roumanian man (further information)
atapi.sys is also known as the Google Redirect Virus
Nick
It is reportedly an IDE Miniport driver. It can be attacked by viruses, such as the one I'm currently dealing with: Alureon.H (rootkit:Alureon- atapi). The symptoms encountered were Google results getting redirected to random spam web sites in Firefox (I tried to reporduce it in IE, but it didn't seem to affect that browser, but I've read other reports of this virus affecting all browsers). The infection is not detected by AVG free, which let it onto my system. Microsoft Security Essentials detects it on Windows 7 and seems to disinfect it, but I'm not sure if it really has succeeded.
Tony
It's the driver for IDE hard drives--can't do without it.
Wayne
it is sometimes infected with google redirect virus
jed
It is a legit file that can be infected with viruses.
Dean
This is a legit driver file (as stated by some other users) which can _get_ infected, but it is not always infected, and all XP systems will have it. Keep your virus checker up to date, and it will identify if this file gets infected (infection can mean just one additional byte added to it).
Mark E.
Summary: Average user rating of atapi.sys:
based on 57 votes with 58 reviews.
27 users think atapi.sys is essential for Windows or an installed application.
8 users think it's probably harmless.
6 users suspect danger.
16 users think atapi.sys is dangerous and recommend removing it.
8 users doesn't grade atapi.sys ("not sure about it").
Atapi scanner
Security Task Manager shows all running Windows tasks including embedded hidden functions (e.g. keyboard or browser monitoring, autostart entry). A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware, keylogger or a Trojan. Spyware Doctor detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, trojans, keyloggers, malware and tracking threats from your hard disk. Ideal supplement to Security Task Manager. SpeedUpMyPC scans, cleans, repairs and optimizes your computer. |
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Daniel