How to remove an aim error

The free file information forum can help you determine if aim.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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Aim.exe file information

The process known as AOL Instant Messenger or AOL Instant Messenger (SM) or LimeFire - By Zim belongs to software AOL Instant Messenger or AIMutation or LimeFire - By Zim or AIM Ad Hack or Earthlink Instant Messenger by America Online (www.aol.com) or Zimlabs.net or AOL (www.aol.com).

Description: The file aim.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files" (generally C:\Program Files\AIM\). Known file sizes on Windows 7/XP are 67,160 bytes (52% of all occurrences), 61,440 bytes and 6 more variants.
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 a LAN or the 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 9% dangerous, however also read the users reviews.
You have the option to uninstall AOL Instant Messenger or AIMutation from your computer using the Control Panel applet "Add/Remove programs".

Recommended: Identify aim.exe related errors

If aim.exe is located in the folder C:\Windows\System32, the security rating is 80% dangerous. The file size is 1,323,520 bytes (50% of all occurrences), 626,688 bytes, 103,936 bytes, 583,680 bytes or 112,640 bytes. The file is a file without information about the developer 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 and monitor applications.

If aim.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\, the security rating is 21% dangerous. The file size is 61,440 bytes (66% of all occurrences) or 67,112 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. Program listens for or sends data on open ports to a LAN or the Internet. The process can be removed using the control panel Add\Remove programs applet.
You have the option to uninstall AOL Instant Messenger from your computer using the Control Panel applet "Add/Remove programs".

If aim.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Documents and Settings", the security rating is 44% dangerous. The file size is 62,976 bytes.

If aim.exe is located in the folder C:\Windows, the security rating is 72% dangerous. The file size is 61,440 bytes.

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

AOL Instant Messenger
Oliver Dutta (further information)

Instant Messenging Service (AIM = Aol Instant Messenger)
Mike (further information)

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

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: Average user rating of aim.exe: based on 17 votes with 18 reviews.

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 removing it. 3 users doesn't grade aim.exe ("not sure about it").

Aim scanner

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