How to remove DefWatch error

 Click to Run a Free Scan for DefWatch.exe related errors

DefWatch.exe file information

The process Virus Definition Daemon belongs to the software Norton AntiVirus or Symantec AntiVirus Client or Norton AntiVirus Corporate or Symantec Client Security or DefWatch.exe by Symantec Corporation (www.symantec.com).

Description: DefWatch.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files" or sometimes in a subfolder of C:\ or in a subfolder of C:\Windows - generally C:\Program Files\Symantec_Client_Security\Symantec AntiVirus\ or C:\Program Files\NavNT\. Known file sizes on Windows XP are 32,768 bytes (53% of all occurrence), 19,648 bytes, 31,472 bytes, 29,928 bytes, 20,208 bytes, 30,024 bytes, 30,528 bytes, 29,912 bytes, 30,448 bytes, 32,884 bytes, 31,424 bytes, 28,672 bytes, 31,160 bytes, 19,696 bytes.
The program has no visible window. File DefWatch.exe is not a Windows core file. The process can be removed using the control panel Add\Remove programs applet. DefWatch.exe is able to hide itself. Therefore the technical security rating is 21% dangerous, however also read the users reviews.

Recommended: Identify DefWatch.exe related errors

If DefWatch.exe is located in the folder C:\Windows\System32 then the security rating is 90% dangerous. File size is 31,624 bytes. There is no information about the maker of the file. The program has no visible window. File DefWatch.exe is an unknown file in the Windows folder. DefWatch.exe is not a Windows core file. The program listens for or sends data on open ports to LAN or Internet.

External information from Paul Collins:

• "defwatch" can run at start up. Detects out-of-date virus definitions for Norton Anti-Virus Corporate Edition and runs the Defwatch Wizard. Only required if you don't update the virus definitions manually on a regular basis

Important: Some malware camouflage themselves as DefWatch.exe, particularly if they are located in c:\windows or c:\windows\system32 folder. Thus check the DefWatch.exe process on your pc whether it is pest. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. It is one of the Top Download Picks of 2005 of The Washington Post and PC World.

Links: DefWatch.exe, DefWatch.exe

It's a virus. Chews away at your registry files
  Adam  

This is a safe Norton Symantic file that watches for new virus, worm, trogen definitions and initiates a process to download them if the system operator has not run a Live Update for virus definitions for a set period of time. Set Norton to automatically update definitions at an obsure hour every day and this file will no longer need to run on startup.
  TheWord  

component of Norton CE - 280K reported in task manager
  bozo  

it is not malicious
  daniel  

Well it may be a norton process but I DON'T have norton installed! I use avg AV, is it normal to have a norton process? or could it be a virus?
   

The file that checks your definitions, and tells them when they're out of date
  Skavold  

It is used for Symantec Corporate Edition
   

Norton's File
  Sesshy  

This is the file which alerts about auto updates
  magesh babu  

More comments can be found here:
    (further information)

DefWatch 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.

Registry Booster free scans, cleans, repairs and optimizes your system.

Other processes