How to remove an system32 error

The free file information forum can help you determine if system32.exe is a virus, trojan, spyware, or adware that you can remove, or a file belonging to a Windows system or an application you can trust.

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System32.exe file information

The process known as system32 appears to be part of software Sistema operacional Microsoft Windows or system32 by Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) or system32.

Description: system32.exe is located in the folder C:\Windows\System32. Known file sizes on Windows 7/XP are 381,952 bytes (12% of all occurrences), 3,994,624 bytes and 22 more variants.
There is no information about the author of the file. The file is not a Windows system file. The program is not visible. File system32.exe is located in the Windows folder, but it is not a Windows core file. The process is loaded during the Windows boot process (see Registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders, HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Runonce, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\exefile\shell\open\command, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce). system32.exe is able to record inputs, monitor applications, connect to Internet and hide itself. Therefore the technical security rating is 70% dangerous, however also read the users reviews.

Recommended: Identify system32.exe related errors

If system32.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Documents and Settings", the security rating is 52% dangerous. The file size is 3,994,624 bytes (28% of all occurrences), 788,992 bytes and 4 more variants. It is a file without information about the developer of this file. The process starts when Windows starts (see Registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders, HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Runonce, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\exefile\shell\open\command, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce). File system32.exe is not a Windows system file. The program is not visible. system32.exe is able to monitor applications, connect to Internet and record inputs.

If system32.exe is located in the folder C:\Windows, the security rating is 82% dangerous. The file size is 27,648 bytes (20% of all occurrences), 79,097 bytes, 320,000 bytes, 294,975 bytes or 1,175,908 bytes. It is a file without information about the developer of this file. File system32.exe is not a Windows system file. The program has no visible window. It is an unknown file in the Windows folder. The process starts when Windows starts (see Registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders, HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Runonce, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\exefile\shell\open\command, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce). system32.exe is able to monitor applications, record inputs and hide itself.

If system32.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files", the security rating is 54% dangerous. The file size is 80,384 bytes (33% of all occurrences), 774,144 bytes or 1,706,496 bytes.

If system32.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 90% dangerous. The file size is 241,664 bytes.

External information from Paul Collins:
There are different files with the same name:

"" definitely not required. Added by the AGOBOT-KU WORM! Note - has a blank entry under the Startup Item/Name field
"Microsofot x386 System Monitor" definitely not required. Added by the WOOTBOT.M WORM!
"msn" definitely not required. Added by the KITRO.A WORM!
"Sygate Personal Firewall" definitely not required. Added by the RBOT.VI WORM!
"System32" definitely not required. Added by any number of WORMS or TROJANS!
"SystemSAS" definitely not required. Added by the KWBOT.C WORM!
"Windows-System" definitely not required. Added by the LOGPOLE.C WORM!

Important: Some malware camouflages itself as system32.exe, particularly when located in the c:\windows or c:\windows\system32 folder. Therefore, you should check the system32.exe 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

Backdoor.SdBot.aa checked with Kapersky online virus scanner installs itself in the registry: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell = "Explorer.exe C:\WINNT\System32\System32.exe" original entry is only "Explorer.exe"
Martin Gwosdz (further information) (further information)

I know that it Locks the Task manager, Regedit, and msconfig. It always replacces itself in the WINDOWS folder and so far, can't be deleted.
Vincent C

It´s a part from a Virus or Worm! Must be deleted! I had problems with it.
Matthias

Teil des PC Security Test 2005

Very difficult so far to remove.

it only does that for a selected amount of time, it will eventurally quit, and you'll be fast
AnthonyHicksonx1

system32\sovfsgco.dll
don

smart card reader
tonis sander

its a virus and its been known to bog down the internet too
dr. awsome

the system 32 is the folder that contains all the stuff to keep windows running anyway windows wont let you delete it because it keeps windows working.If you did delete it window will crash

It's a very dangerous virus that can slowly but surely delete your other core files
Gregory Lulz

Your system32 folder is pretty mutch your computer and if It's removed from your computer you will need to re format your computer
Bob

My pc is currently not working due to me deleting all files including the root system 32 , this was due to me wanting to load an upgrade. My pc is now telling me that I have to upload the system 32
dave, scotland

Get rid of it! It's a virus! One of the most lethal of them all!
Anonymous

It took over my Norton security and would not allow me to quarantine it, It also locked me out as the adminstrator and took over my entire system. Even after a system recovery it was still there.
Linda

A virus, said by avast! Anti-Virus.
Raiko K (further information)

%windir%\system32 - the pathway for the system directory on a windows partition
Colin Brennan

An outdated driver used for running 32 bit magnetic tape style discs
Dr. Virgil Pryor

systems32 is a folder containing core files. Use a trusted virus scanner to detect if anything may have gotten in there.
Zach

Appears to be worm, Computer kept freezing especially Explorer.exe while AV protection was enabled. Stopped system.32 from starting with PC via MSConfig and deleted registry entries for system32.exe rebooted machine. EXE vanished now running a full system search for that file but PC seems to be responding alot better now.
Max

It sits in your computer and sooner or later it shuts your computer down.

The system 32 subfolder located in C:\\ Windows\System 32 is not a virus but your computer. The application System 32.exe is a virus or a worm. I recommend removing it if possible( not the folder System 32).
XLpacman805

pasword brake fiel on system 32

WinFast2000h/system32/temDel

Virus! Lost all of my music and movies because of it!
A.N. Hero

am trying to know it, best part of system to hack, this is used
santhosh pavan

System.32.exe was located in C:\winnt\system32\Lavan\ Starts IpcScan.exe. Beware: don´t confuse the file SYSTEM32.EXE with the folder C:\winnt\system32\ !!!

it pops up evrytime the pc is started
Harry Layne

This file is extremely important, removing it will cause your computer to be renderd useless (untill it has been reformated)
Jamie Lyon, Iraq

It seems to be unsafe, i was hacked recently and lost all my MSN contacts information. The hacker turned out to be some one just having fun, but he advised me to remove system32 as this was how he got access
KC

all window tools
kapil

It's important. Don't delete it, or you'll break your computer,
Sashaisme

system 32.exe is stopping me re installing after crashing it will not allow windows to start or load vista
david tattam

its a virus :)
jesus

It is definetly not needed, you have a folder of system32 in Windows that IS required, but the executable is not
Deleté NonWinFiles

WINDOWS\system32 is extremely important. If you delete that entire directory, you will be forced to re-format. On the other hand, WINDOWS\system32\system32.exe is a worm/advanced virus. Use virus scanners(that detect trojans & worms,as well)to make sure that it isn't in the WINDOWS

Do not remove system32
mark hancock

Summary: Average user rating of system32.exe: based on 43 votes with 37 reviews.

14 users think system32.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 3 users think it's probably harmless. 10 users suspect danger. 16 users think system32.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 8 users doesn't grade system32.exe ("not sure about it").

System32 scanner

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