How to remove aim error

The free file information forum can help you find out if aim.exe is a virus, trojan, spyware, adware which you can remove, or a file belonging to a Windows system or an application you can trust.

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aim.exe file information

The process AOL Instant Messenger or LimeFire - By Zim or AOL Instant Messenger (SM) belongs to the software AOL Instant Messenger or aim.exe or AIMutation or LimeFire - By Zim or Mozilla Firefox or Earthlink Instant Messenger or AOL(R) Instant Messenger(TM) or AIM Ad Hack by America Online, Inc (www.aol.com) or Zimlabs.net or AOL LLC.

Description: File aim.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files" or sometimes in a subfolder of C:\ (generally C:\Program Files\AIM\). Known file sizes on Windows XP are 67,160 bytes (55% of all occurrence), 67,112 bytes, 61,440 bytes, 53,248 bytes, 23,568 bytes, 3,634,024 bytes, 57,344 bytes, 25,600 bytes.
The program has a visible window. The file is not a Windows system file. The program can be removed using the control panel Add\Remove programs applet. The file is a Verisign signed file. File aim.exe is certified by a trustworthy company. The application listens for or sends data on open ports to LAN or Internet. The application starts upon Windows startup (see Registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders, HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run). Therefore the technical security rating is 8% dangerous, however also read the users reviews.

Recommended: Identify aim.exe related errors

If aim.exe is located in the folder C:\Windows\System32 then the security rating is 81% dangerous. File size is 1,323,520 bytes (70% of all occurrence), 626,688 bytes, 112,640 bytes. The file is a file without information about the maker of this file. The application starts when Windows starts (see Registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders, HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run). File aim.exe is not a Windows system file. The program has no visible window. It is an unknown file in the Windows folder. aim.exe is able to record inputs, hide itself, monitor applications.

If aim.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Documents and Settings" then the security rating is 44% dangerous. File size is 62,976 bytes. The program starts upon Windows startup (see Registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders, HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run). It is not a Windows system file. aim.exe is able to record inputs.

External information from Paul Collins:

"AIM" is not required to run at start up. AOL Instant Messenger. If connected to the internet, automatically runs up AIM. Convenience more than anything. Available via Start -> Programs

Important: Some malware camouflage themselves as aim.exe, particularly if they are located in c:\windows or c:\windows\system32 folder. Thus check the aim.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.

Score

User Comments

AOL Instant Messenger
Oliver Dutta (further information)

Instant Messenging Service (AIM = Aol Instant Messenger)
Mike

Aol Instant Messenger (AIM) TOTALLY HARMLESS!
John Hays (further information)

can easly be infected to harness trojans that hide them self from firewalls
jesse

receive message aim.exe has caused errors, and my computer shuts itself down, why I not understand
decormore@hotmail.com

Not dangerous
(further information)

I cant delete it... its called aim.exe but i dunno how i got it... and makes my computer slow.. a lot slower than before ..its a worm
Somone

It is a IM spreaded virus that mines information and slows your computer down.
Jay S

AOL Instant Messenger installs Adware WxBug.EXE and then it is nearly impossible to remove AOL Instant Messenger or WxBug.EXE.

It's killing my PC. Too dangerous! ALERT!
Andre Portugal

Harmless messaging system, but can install other unwanted programs during installation if you're not careful.

AIM itself isn't harmful but it installs, without warning, Viewpoint Media Player that basically replaces Windows Media Player. Check you Add/Remove panel and remove viewpoint media player
Nate Henjes (further information)

It is malicious adware,not entirely sure where i got it, im trying security task manager (free for scanning and quarantining processes) so far everything i have quarantined has stayed off : aim.exe, cAppp.exe, mc-110-12-0000190.exe, system32s, {2296428D- - - .exe, i have also looked it up elsewhere, some people say to enter windows in safe mode and delete them from the registry so they can't re-manifest themselves, i haven't tried that yet. Good luck.
Tim (further information)

If you have aol installed it should be Ok (with a good antivirus of course), but if you got it and dont have aol installed its really dangerous, and you should delete the process.
WilRa

when I shutdown my windows then error shows up like,,,aimskip.dll
tom

aim.exe could be either a virus or AOL Instant Messenger. If you have AOL and AOL products installed you "may" be fine. If you don't then its probably a virus. I got this virus from another virus called hookah.exe. One way to tell which is which, is by going into your configuration manager. (RUN/MSCONFIG) Check your startup programs or your services. The fake aim.exe will say its by Microsoft and the real one will say AOL. Any good antivirus software will catch it and kill it easily. You should also search your registry and delete and aim.exe regedits it creates. (RUN/REGEDIT)
TriAxis

Can't seem to get rid of this popup
Frank

its a virus and slows down ur computer By ALOT
eric

Summary: 5 users think aim.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 2 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 3 users suspect danger. 7 users think aim.exe is dangerous and recommend to remove it. 3 users doesn't grade aim.exe ("not sure about it").

aim 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.

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