How to remove an gcasDtServ error
The free file information forum can help you determine if gcasDtServ.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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GcasDtServ.exe file information
The process known as Microsoft AntiSpyware Data Service belongs to software Microsoft AntiSpyware (Beta (version 1)) by Microsoft (www.microsoft.com).
Description: The file gcasDtServ.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files" or sometimes in a subfolder of C:\ (common is C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\).
Known file sizes on Windows 7/XP are 756,552 bytes (88% of all occurrences), 752,456 bytes or 748,352 bytes. 
There is an icon for this program on the taskbar next to the clock.
The file has a digital signature. The file is not a Windows system file. The application can be uninstalled in the Control Panel.
gcasDtServ.exe is able to monitor applications.
Therefore the technical security rating is 9% dangerous, however also read the users reviews.
It is possible to uninstall Microsoft AntiSpyware software via Windows Control Panel/Add or Remove Programs (Windows XP) or Programs and Features (Windows 7/Vista).
Recommended: Identify gcasDtServ.exe related errors
External information from Paul Collins:
- "gcasDtServ" can run at start up. Giant Antipsyware - now superseeded by Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as gcasDtServ.exe, particularly when located in the c:\windows or c:\windows\system32 folder. Therefore, you should check the gcasDtServ.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
Isn't this Microsoft's new anti-spyware beta program which I did install
leeryan
Belongs to new Microsoft Antispyware tool (beta as of Jan 2005)
Steffen Hornung (further information)
Microsoft now own Giant and distribute it as their own product. However, my system has run slow and locked up since I loaded it.
David Bedford
Microsoft's new AntiSpyware was purchased from Giant
Doc Lewis
Giant AntiSpyware executable. It has been included in the Malicious Code Remover (Anti-Spy Ware Software for Windows XP Beta 1) MS put out this month
D. Garcia
microsofts new antispyware beta version
anonomous
Microsofts Antispyware
Kristian
a file named gcasdtserv.exe inserted itself in my startup files and is consuming all of my resources. the name is similar to the microsoft antispyware beta 1 exe file. It is very busy doing nothing except consuming resources. It did attempt to block attempts to obtain information on it through the internet. I killed it and all has been good.
wmlagna
Spware
Stephen
gcasDtServ.exe is a process belonging to the Giant/Microsoft AntiSpyware product. This program is important for the stable and secure running of your computer and should not be terminated.
Nurplit (further information)
It is a Microsoft Program, GIANT is Microsoft. This AntiSpyware service belongs to the BETA version of the new Microsoft AntiSpyware.
Robert
Part of microsoft antispyware(Beta) programme
eNeMeS
It's a service that runs once you install microsoft anti-spyware program
Daniel
part of Microsoft anti spyware
kevin
a part of windows new anti spyware software
zach
This is microsofts new spyware program they purchased from GIANT Software
jake
came with MS anti-spyware
sly
The serverprogram for Microsoft Antispyware based on the Giant Antispyware engine wich now Microsoft owns.
ED (further information)
Microsoft AntiSpyware
x
Installed with Microsoft Ant Spyware Beta Version
Its part of microsofts beta antispyware application, which is based off of GIANT, a company that was purchased by MS a few years ago. If you have MS Anti-Spyware tool (in beta form) then this is what that file is.
Looks to be a new spyware cleaner that Microsoft is putting out
Anti spyware program from Giant antispyware
Its the AntispySoftware from Microsoft
SirYesSir
This is part of the Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta
The file belongs to the beta Antyspyware program from Microsoft
Slickstone
Steals all your processing capacity at startup; inpossible to uninstall
Ossian Mogensen
It was installed w/o my knowledge. It starts automatically. I'm having trouble getting rid of it.
gbw
Vendor is Giant AntiSpyware. This company is Microsoft's new partner in it's beta anti-spyware program.
TF
anti spyware
Used by Microsoft AntSpyware
Starts at boot up and consumes a LOT of resources. Prevents other programs from running properly while it is running.
gcasdtserv.exe is associated with microsoft antispyware so no worry if ur suspisious about this file then search this file then right click this file this file is attached with digital signature and which version if no then scan this file with updated antivirus software
Excellent anti spyware program and FREE
Greg
Microsoft AntiSpyware
Microsoft antispyware
Microsoft written anti-spyware program. Useful but is a resourse hog when scanning files and on large system can take hours to complete scan. Despite this, it is worth the protection it affords.
Richard Creighton
It is a file installed by Giant/Microsoft AntiSpyware. According to the developers of WinTasks 5.0 Professional, a malware detection utility, "gcasDtServ.exe is a process belonging to the Giant/Microsoft AntiSpyware product. This program is important for the stable and secure running of your computer and should not be terminated."
Al Swilling
This is Microsoft's Beta for Anti Spyware
James
If this file takes all of your resources and pegs your processor at 100%, Your system is full of pests. Microsofts antispyware is now preventing your pest from contacting it's mother BOT and is continuing to try, therefore using all of your resources in it's attempt. If you disable this file and than all is well yopu have allowed your pest bot to complete it's mission. Rebuild your system period or live with someone controlling your system.
Its Microsoft Antispyware beta. It uses about 90% of CPU resources on startup and can almost bring an average powered PC to a standstill. HAving removed it and installed Adaware i found over 85 objects that Microsoft sPyweare didn't (or more accurately, that it had instaleld). In other words the Microsoft AntiSPyware Beta IS SPYWARE.
Al Paton
Microsoft AntiSpyware, which has the side-effect of causing my mouse to hang every few seconds. Recommend disabling it when not actively surfing or downloading
Shaun
It hogs resources, CPU running at over 90%... Could be a look-alike to MS spyware .exe, I don't know more yet...
Cambaz
Keeps Starcraft from installing and does eat up alot of resources at start up.
fang
Its microsoft anti spyware.... but it consumes huge amounts of resources
This file uses 40% of my process power, and slows my computer down
dougtait
Hacker Newbie Virus, has infected over 1.2million
Cr8or
gcasDtServ.exe was running continiously , consuming more than 85% of my resources continiously after restart. Seems to be related to a malfunction of the 'Print Spooler'-service of Microsoft. Internet acces was disabled, two UDP ports were opened in my standard MS firewall advanced settings. My computer seemed to act as a gateway for UDP traffic. Killing proces gcasDtServ and restoring firewall settings, reinstalling AV and ZoneAlarm cured my PC totally. REMOVE gcasDtServ.exe from the Run(once) registry key in the registry and filesystem! Probably you should reinstall MS antispyware.
MR (further information)
It is part of the Microsoft scanner but is a massive system hog. Espeacially on older systems. Kill the process if CPU activity hits full and uninstall if protected by another product. Wait for the full release and hope they iron out the resource hogging nature of the software and be carefull were you surf and what you download.
Bob
Microsoft Anti-Spyware, but takes a lot of memory, so it causes my computer to lock up from time to time. While I guess it should be a good thing, I survived without it before and would rather it not be hogging my resources.
Sonja
i think people should check. I think that people should check because there IS looking like there is a variant of the file name that is actually a VIRUS... I am online but my computer is running near 100% CPU all the time
P
I called Microsoft and they confirmed that there is a virus that eats all system resources with the same file name gcasdtserv.exe but there's doesn't run at start up! check this website for confirmation
naterg (further information)
It seems to be a Windows Antispyware file. I have noticed on startup a system hang, especially on attempting to goto my computer properties. On stopping this service it ran immediately
Jouleskeys
It is Microsoft's AntiSpyware Program by Giant, unless its in your Startup then its a file left by a worm or trojan. (Of course some people think Microsoft is a worm too)
Tyler
There are two versions of this file. One is the Microsoft AntiSpyware. The other is dumped by an unknown trojan/virus and is set to start on bootup.
Joseph Grabko (further information)
It consumes all of my resources. gcasserv.exe is also running and consums almost as much resources. I doubt it's anything harmful but it's annoying.
Interiority
It appears to be a resouce hog and I can find no use for it. It only became a problem after my MS anti-spyware beta expired.
JerryinBKK
It runs at startup and uses up all the processor. When I terminate it, it starts again. I can't get rid of it. Help!
Darrel
This process consumes so much of the CPU that I cannot even type at my normal (slow) speed.
Microsoft antispyware a startup application (.exe) bearing the same is a piece of scumware
Jeff
even if it *IS* legitimate, it does hog my processor and RAM on startup
TinGrin
used all my resources, also restarts itself if terminated.
EgE
it scan and protects you not a virus or spyware
It uses far to much memory and proc power
Pauliejay
Steals system resources, blerry kak
.
part of antispyware - easy
:)
Microsoft AntiSpyware
user
MS antispyware beta
I can't use my laptop unless connected to the power cord (can not run on battery) with this software installed.
Carroll Pruit
Not much uses a ton of resources really frustrating, slows everything down, doubles the time it takes adaware to scan
frustratedone
as i am working on a laptop. xp wouldnt complete is set-up properly. i also think it had some effect on explorer on start-up. after closing explorer and running it again then closing gcasdtserv.exe it seems to run better. ** to remove from start-up go to 'run', type MSCONFIG then untick the item in 'start-up'
chris
locks world community grid program! annoying!
Seems like every time I restart my computer, it takes up every resource available, and whenever I end the process, it just comes right back and takes up all my processor capacity. Don't have a problem with gcasServ.exe though. Sometimes the little bugger just decides to act up and it gives me absolutely no benefits.
brian
Slows Down Start Up
Sean
Slows system down hogs CPU process time. Will try Adaware as an alternate.
Lou
Hangs at startup I need to press alt-ctrl-del and end the process to allow my software to run properly.
Herman van Ree
Affecting memory, w32.spybot was found in a directory of MS antispyware by symantec
It is part of microsoft antispyware bu ton our new computers at school you cant even open notepad untill 2 min after startup because of it so i disabled it.
johnholmes
seems as MS AntiSpyware but consumes all of my resources...
Segundo
Is part of MS Antispyware, but definitely causes problems. My laptop's CD drive became very slow and unreliable, for instance. Possibly is spyware, though, mimicking MSAS/GIANT product.
Chris
A friend gave this to me, and since I'd heard good things about it from a Ft. Worth CT columnist, I figured I'd give it a shot. Well, it's caught some things and has stopped AOL from forcing my web presets to AOL site, which is swell, but on the other hand, my system keeps locking up and programs keep crashing. At times, I can't open a new program unless I close everything else, and much of the time I can't even get the task manager to come up. It's not dangerous so much as just incredibly annoying. My advice? Stick to Lavasoft Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy. :/
HamatoKameko
Its microsoft anti spyware.... Uses a large amounts of resources
John Laskey
I Uninstalled this but its still running... taking up too much space IMO
G
microsoft anti spyware
desert_hawk101
Nothing to worry about, It's from Microsoft, a anti-spyware program thats also got alot of other useful tools. And it is definately NOT spyware (to those people who posted that it was). Though, it does offer good protection, it does consume quite an amount of resources.
Kraft
If I kill the Microsoft Anitspareware (Tray Menu, right click) it disapears from the taskmanager. 100% Microsoft Anti Spyware
Jojo
Came with my new Microsoft Antispyware Beta 1. The program listed 82 Spyware files on my GTateway 500X, then deleted or otherwise dealt with them. You can download it free from Microsoft.com.
T. V. Bennett (further information)
MS antispyware
Tom
I doesnt hog up starcraft installing or anything (starcraft install slows even without the process)
Y
just now when i was checking these articles out i noticed 6 icons in my tray when i passed over them they reduced to one. i have a amd 3200+ 64 system and it has almost consumed all of my resources it's a problem
Bruce
Not a virus even if showing as a startup file- Mine was, I removed it manually, and it broke MS AntiSpyware. So unless they did a really excellent job-doubtfull- it can be actual MS stuf and setup to run at startup. although it is the cause of many problems on my comp.
ummduh
nearly locks the system up - have not checked to see if it is sending out data oer network yet, but doesn't look good
David
Microsoft's Antispyware (BETA) program
Samantha
MS (Giant) antispy. Anothr MS resource hog.
I recently downloaded updates for the MS Beta 1 antispyware, since then I have had probs with my computer crashing and rebooting itself specifically when I'm connected to the internet. There are no probs when I use my email though. The computer works fine offline, can do any task. Is this just a coincidence?
Gary
This hinders firefox strangely...
Since installing Microsoft Anit Sypware Beta recent upgrade my system has been so slow I thought I was due for a major overhaul by format and reinstall all programs. Symptoms were numerous. Double click on icons to open and it took forever to open program. System would often freeze up and I had to press reset and go through reboot. When typing in Word Perfect documents I would have to slow down as the computer could not keep up with the key strokes made during normal typing. Perhaps this gcasktserv file is put in my Microsoft Antispyware Beta or maybe as some say it is a virus .
Glenn T
I ran AdAware on my system and found no spyware was found. Then I uninstalled Microsoft Anit Virus Beta and re-ran AdAware and it found 65 pieces of spyware. Maybe Microsooft Beta nees some work. System is running much faster now and the gcasdtserv file is gone from my system. Maybe later the Beta will be better but for now not worth using due to problems.
Glenn T
Hogs my entire computer; not worth much as anti-spyware.
There appear to be several versions of this file. One is related to Microsoft Antispyware, while the other is some sort of spyare/virus that uses up nearly 100percent of CPU in a rundll32.exe process in the process manager. The process will restart itself if stopped. HELP, removal needed!!
Matt
i know that when i shutdown the spyware program my cpu went back to normal & when i started it again it went super slow & i have 2.6gig cpu.
Ann
RTFM! It tells you right in the Anti-Spyware documentation: gcasDtServ.exe (provides access to SpyNet for reporting unknown applications) If it is hogging up resources on startup, its because its trying to establish a connection to spynet. Just turn off Connect to Spynet option in the settings!
PDH
It is a benign beta version of MS Windows AntiSpy Application, and it does consume sizable resourses temporarily, however. The jury is still out on its efficacy.
siouxdonnm
Would rather wait an extra second for my computer to load, and have some protection, than surf the net naked, people who dog it should just go out and buy a porno mag instead of downloading it from the net if they whinge about it that much, or get a decent computer.
Microsoft anitspyware harmless but uses a lot of ram upon termination process did not restartit self but messed with my boot log
Drewsifer
Added by an unidentified WORM or TROJAN. Note - this is not related to Microsoft Antispyware which has a process bearing the same name which doesn’t appear as a startup
KCB (further information)
slows down comp worse than any spyware or adware
steve
It's the microsoft anti spyware beta service file but 12,000 kb of running memory is just too dang much. I am dumping it asap.
NightShade
Microsoft spyware file. I have never had a problem with it eating up my resources, It is constantly running and it gets no where near using 80-90% of my resources, my computer runs perfectly normal and fine with it and it has never given me a problem.
Jenny
Blocked installation of RSView32 Active Display Client,, blocked RSLinx DDE calls from MS Excel
David C Peek
not a security problem but a terrible cpu and disk hog, shouldn't have been released in its present version
Clark
This process is definently something that everyone should remove. It cannot be part of the Microsoft Anti-Spyware Beta because I had this process running even though I didnt have MAS Beta installed.
Justin
it hogged my cpu on strart-up
Dave
that it takes up 85-95% of my CPU and that I didn't install it willingly...
Mike
I know that I don't know how it got on my computer and why it runs at almost 50% of the CPU usage constantly.
Brenda
odd how it locks up firefox for a good while, sucking all cpu cycles into itself. from what others have written here, it could be why my burner is unreliable! strange! i will test this theory...
Henry
It popped up during a power point presentation running in the background and removed all text from the powerpoint windows. We ran System Manager and stopped the process and it went to normal. Then went to "Add/remove" programs and removed it.
Doug Burroughs
Microsoft AntiSpyware Spyware :P
Mika
Summary: Average user rating of gcasDtServ.exe:
based on 135 votes with 138 reviews.
67 users think gcasDtServ.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
9 users think it's probably harmless.
23 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
14 users suspect danger.
22 users think gcasDtServ.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
11 users doesn't grade gcasDtServ.exe ("not sure about it").
GcasDtServ 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. MalwareBytes detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, trojans, keyloggers, malware and tracking threats from your hard disk. Ideal supplement to Security Task Manager. SpeedUpMyPC scans, cleans, repairs and optimizes your computer. |
Other processes
sprtsvc.exe datalayer.exe aminit.dll gcasDtServ.exe sbiesvc.exe idemlog.exe rcimgdir.exe goec62~1.dll asksbar.dll roxwatch9.exe atkexcomsvc.exe [all]
Steven Teiger [SBS-MVP] (further information)