FF_Protection.exe is an executable file that is part of the FF_Protection MFC software developed by STMicroelectronics. This software is typically located in the C:\Program Files (x86)\STMicroelectronics\AccelerometerP11 directory.
The associated software, FF_Protection MFC, is primarily used for protecting your hard drive. It is a part of the Free Fall Protection system, which is designed to protect your hard drive from damage if your computer experiences a sudden drop or heavy impact. When the system detects a sudden movement, it immediately parks the hard drive's read/write head to prevent it from damaging the disk in case of a fall.
FF_Protection.exe is necessary if you want to take advantage of the Free Fall Protection system. It helps to prevent potential data loss and physical damage to your hard drive. If you find that this software is causing issues with your system, such as slowing down your computer or causing software conflicts, you may choose to remove it. It's also possible that a virus or malware might disguise itself as FF_Protection.exe, in which case it should be removed immediately. Always ensure to keep your antivirus software up-to-date and perform regular system scans to detect any potential threats.
Description: FF_Protection.exe is not essential for the Windows OS and causes relatively few problems. FF_Protection.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files (x86)"—typically C:\Program Files (x86)\STMicroelectronics\AccelerometerP11\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\STMicroelectronics\Accelerometer\.
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 686,704 bytes (45% of all occurrences), 2,384,896 bytes and 9 more variants.
The program is not visible. FF_Protection.exe is not a Windows core file. The file is digitally signed. FF_Protection.exe is a Verisign signed file.
FF_Protection.exe is able to record keyboard and mouse inputs.
Therefore the technical security rating is 43% dangerous; but you should also compare this rating with the user reviews.
Uninstalling this variant:
In case of any problems with FF_Protection.exe, you can also look for help on the www.STMicroelectronics.com [1][2] website or uninstall AccelerometerP11 or Accelerometer software via Windows Control Panel/Add or Remove Programs (Windows XP) or Programs and Features (Windows 10/8/7).
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as FF_Protection.exe, particularly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the FF_Protection.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
Program usually for Dell computers to attempt to protect the harddrive if it senses it is in freefall Oniya
Belongs to STMicroelectronics Accelerometer Alex
Accelerometer and Free Fall protection for Dell laptop?
It the Free Fall protection program for the Free Fall sensors in the harddisk drive on Dell laptops netsec_ct
It's a FreeFall protection application that protects your computer, see it a lot on Dells. You can goto control panel and find it, FreeFall Data Protection. Toshiba Is HDD protection and so on. Shane
FF_Protection is hte process behind FreeFallProtection application. Used to protect HDs using accelerometers Ariel Yaroshevich (further information)
Important. Dell Freefall Menster
Used to protect the harddrive from free fall in dell/alienware laptops Andy
It is a freefall protection off a dell notebook or other mobile device. It maybe made to protect your device but can cause some problems with power bevaivior and closing/ opening device cover (staying active or goin to sleep mode in the process). The programm uses alot of your memory and can cause bluescreens. There is no reason to say its more important and safe than it could be harmfull. I reccomend uninstalling HYSK
It's a Dell Program that detects freefall and attempts to protect the HDD Don Thanderlus
Its a program found on dell computers to help the harddrive incase it starts to free fall Darragh Staunton
I have no hard drive, just SSD. So FF_prot is a waste for me. Guest
Part of the STMicroelectronics Accelerometer. This is to protect the hard disk (and the data on it) from damage if the laptop is dropped. If it detects the laptop is travelling too fast it put the hard drive read write head in the parked position so it cannot touch the the surface of the disc platters when if the laptop suffers impact on a floor or other hard surface. redsnappa
I disabled it since it was causing a "Error Handle" error at startup. Once disable no more errors. AA
If your computer has an accelerometer and you want to take advantage of it then you need this program. Make sure your accelerometer (free fall) device is enabled in BIOS. Start task manager and open the startup tab and make sure it's enabled. If you have issues then run an anti-malware scan. Dee em
Show all user comments
Summary: Average user rating of FF_Protection.exe:
based on 15 votes with 15 user comments.
7 users think FF_Protection.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
3 users think it's probably harmless.
5 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
2 users don't grade FF_Protection.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving FF_Protection issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with FF_Protection. This means running a scan for malware, cleaning your hard drive using 1cleanmgr and 2sfc /scannow, 3uninstalling programs that you no longer need, checking for Autostart programs (using 4msconfig) and enabling Windows' 5Automatic Update. Always remember to perform periodic backups, or at least to set restore points.
Should you experience an actual problem, try to recall the last thing you did, or the last thing you installed before the problem appeared for the first time. Use the 6resmon command to identify the processes that are causing your problem. Even for serious problems, rather than reinstalling Windows, you are better off repairing of your installation or executing the 7DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command. This allows you to repair the operating system without losing data.
To get your computer running as fast as it did on day one, you can 8reset your PC. Your personal files will remain intact, but any programs you installed will need to be reinstalled.
To help you analyze the FF_Protection.exe process on your computer, the following programs have proven to be helpful: ASecurity Task Manager displays all running Windows tasks, including embedded hidden processes, such as keyboard and browser monitoring or Autostart entries. A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware or a Trojan. A good Bantivirus software detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, malware and trackers from your hard drive.
Score
User Comments
Oniya
Alex
netsec_ct
Shane
Ariel Yaroshevich (further information)
Menster
Andy
HYSK
Don Thanderlus
Darragh Staunton
Guest
redsnappa
AA
Dee em
Summary: Average user rating of FF_Protection.exe: based on 15 votes with 15 user comments. 7 users think FF_Protection.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 3 users think it's probably harmless. 5 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 2 users don't grade FF_Protection.exe ("not sure about it").