How to remove an wuauclt error

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Wuauclt.exe file information

The process known as Automatic Updates or Windows Update Automatic Updates or Windows Update or Windows Update AutoUpdate Client or Automatische Updates or Actualizaciones automáticas

belongs to software Microsoft Windows Operating System or Betriebssystem Microsoft Windows or Windows Update or Sistema operativo Microsoft Windows

by Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) or Microsoft Windows XP Publisher or Microsoft Windows Component Publisher (www.microsoft.com).

Description: The file wuauclt.exe is located in the folder C:\Windows\System32. Known file sizes on Windows 7/XP are 124,184 bytes (29% of all occurrences), 53,080 bytes and 65 more variants.  
The file has a digital signature. It is a trustworthy file from Microsoft. The program has no visible window. Therefore the technical security rating is 9% dangerous, however also read the users reviews.

Recommended: Identify wuauclt.exe related errors

Viruses with the same file name

Is wuauclt.exe a virus? No, it is not. The true wuauclt.exe file is a safe Microsoft Windows system process, called "Automatic Updates". However, writers of malware programs, such as viruses, worms, and trojans deliberately give their processes the same file name to escape detection. Viruses with the same file name are for example W32/Suspicious_N.gen (detected by F-Secure), and Win32:Pakes-OD (detected by Avast).
To ensure that no rogue wuauclt.exe is running on your PC, click here to run a Free Malware Scan.

How to recognize suspicious variants? If wuauclt.exe is located in the folder C:\Windows, the security rating is 70% dangerous. The file size is 230,518 bytes (40% of all occurrences), 230,520 bytes and 5 more variants. Wuauclt.exe is not a Windows system file. The process is loaded during the Windows boot process (see Registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders). The application has no file description. Wuauclt.exe is an unknown file in the Windows folder. The process uses ports to connect to a LAN or the Internet. The program is not visible. wuauclt.exe is able to hide itself and monitor applications.

If wuauclt.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 85% dangerous. The file size is 5,632 bytes (30% of all occurrences), 21,873 bytes and 4 more variants. There is no description of the program. Wuauclt.exe is an unknown file in the Windows folder. The program is not visible. It is not a Windows system file. The application listens for or sends data on open ports to a LAN or the Internet. wuauclt.exe is able to monitor applications, record inputs and manipulate other programs.

If wuauclt.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Documents and Settings", the security rating is 73% dangerous. The file size is 33,068 bytes (50% of all occurrences), 77,824 bytes or 71,168 bytes.

If wuauclt.exe is located in the folder C:\Windows\System32\drivers, the security rating is 56% dangerous. The file size is 81,794 bytes.

If wuauclt.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows\System32, the security rating is 86% dangerous. The file size is 26,967 bytes.

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

Wuauclt scanner

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