How to remove cthelper error

cthelper.exe file information

The process CtHelper Application or CtHelper MFC Application belongs to the software CtHelper Application or cthelper or cthelper.exe or CtHelper MFC Application by Creative Technology Ltd (www.creative.com).

Description: cthelper.exe is located in the folder C:\Windows\System32. Known file sizes on Windows XP are 24576 bytes (70% of all occurrence), 28672 bytes, 40960 bytes, 19456 bytes, 15872 bytes, 16384 bytes, 17920 bytes, 20992 bytes, 90381 bytes, 85504 bytes.
It is not a Windows system file. The program 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\CurrentVersion\RunServices). The program has no visible window. cthelper.exe is located in the Windows folder, but it is not a Windows core file. Therefore the technical security rating is 58% dangerous, however also read the users reviews.

If cthelper.exe is located in the folder C:\Windows then the security rating is 60% dangerous. File size is 16384 bytes (52% of all occurrence), 17920 bytes, 14848 bytes, 16896 bytes, 18944 bytes, 14336 bytes. The file is not a Windows core file. The program is not visible. File cthelper.exe is located in the Windows folder, but it is not a Windows core file. The process starts upon Windows startup (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\CurrentVersion\RunServices). cthelper.exe is able to monitor applications.

If cthelper.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files" then the security rating is 56% dangerous. File size is 12288 bytes (66% of all occurrence), 28672 bytes. cthelper.exe is not a Windows system file. There is no information about the maker of the file. The program has no visible window. Program uses ports to connect to LAN or Internet.

External information from Paul Collins:

• "WINDVDpatch" can run at start up. CTHELPER is a background task that is a plug-in manager for Creative drivers. The theory is that 3rd party manufacturers can use the CTHELPER plug-in interface to produce drivers, add-on features, and fixes that will integrate with a tighter fit with Creative’s sound drivers and utilities. Given its purpose CTHELPER would normally be classified as a "leave alone" background task. It also allows Creative speaker setup to be synchronized with Windows Control Panel speaker setting. Without it running that check box in Creative speaker setting is not functional (settings are not in sync). Unfortunately there are often problems with CTHELPER, most notably that it can use 100% of CPU time so it's best left disabled unless you need it

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

Creative Labs Soundblaster Devices. It's purpose is to aid 3rd party developers create plugins/software for the card
  Dan  

Needed for the new high end X-Fi Sound Blaster. Auto-ranges Hz frequency according to computer use.
  D.R.  

I used Adaware-2007 beta process viewer cpu usage was 0
  dvdjhn  

This is installed with the soundblaster audigy 2 drivers
  simon  

acrobat assistant 7.0
   

May be the cause of key snatching for fraudulent activity. Someone got into my Paypal account just a couple days after I noticed this constantly running every time I turned my pc on. I'm having a terrible time getting rid of it now, too.
  Amber  

cthelper.exe is installed with Creative Labs Soundblaster Devices. It's purpose is to aid 3rd party developers create plugins/software for the card.
  G Jones  

has a tendancy to take over the CPU causing a serious slowdown, it does this if you change the sound settings (like from 2 to 5.1 speakers)
   

It's Creative's part, it came to me only with SB install. Uses ~1% of CPU resources. (SB Live! 5.1 Digital, WinXPSP2)
  laji  

I can't end the process. This may sound odd as Creative is supposed to be reputable, but I reinstalled my sound card drivers directly from their website on a fresh factory settings PC and immediately got a virus. This was about 3 weeks ago.
  Susan   (further information)

not dangerous
  black nigger  

I have an e-mu 0404 soundcard, which i use for sound production. I know that creative now owns e-mu and uses some of the same parts in both brands, but when i was using linux it would always detect a soundblaster card the for which the drivers are incompatible. (E-mu drivers have no official support from Linux or windows so neither one ever detects them right.) I was just wondering if cthelper is needed to run the e-mu drivers and patch mix software (1 each 1/4" L-R stereo outs and ins are the only i/o devices i use and i don't play any video games on my machine or have any use for surround
  dicky mkeatballz  

A lot of people report stuff using a lot of CPU usage, its normally a defect in the installation of the hardware. Try re-installing it. Also, check to see if your system meets it's system requirements, if it doesn't you can suffer extreme penalties such as the CPU usage. Not all users will find that it takes a lot of CPU usage, This should be enabled for the best performance in any of your Creative products (mainly Sound Blaster).
  Jason Strese  

its a creative sound blaster file
  anis  

Required by my Audigy 2 Value to enable rear speakers.
   

seems to not use any of my cpu if that and 888kb ram i use the 5.1 for games or will keep it
  diablo  

More comments can be found here:
    (further information)

cthelper 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