The genuine LaunchU3.exe file is a software component of U3Launcher by SanDisk. LaunchU3.exe is an executable file that runs the LaunchPad program, a program manager for the Windows platform that is preinstalled on U3 Smart Drives. This is not a critical Windows component and should be removed if known to cause problems. LaunchPad enables users to quickly find and manage programs and files located on their U3 Smart Drives. The program can be used to install, uninstall and update U3 programs such as Internet browsers, email clients, utility programs, business applications, photo editors and viewers, games, etc. All U3 programs can be accessed through LaunchPad. Launchpad provides password protection as well as data encryption, protecting all data on U3 Smart Drives. The SanDisk corporation is an American company that manufactures flash memory storage devices. SanDisk was established in 1988 by Sanjay Mehrotra, Dr. Eli Harari and Jack Yuan. The company produces storage devices are that sold at more than 250,000 retail outlets in over 100 countries. SanDisk is currently headquartered in Milpitas, California, USA.
LaunchU3 stands for Launches U3 LaunchPad
The .exe extension on a filename indicates an executable file. Executable files may, in some cases, harm your computer. Therefore, please read below to decide for yourself whether the LaunchU3.exe on your computer is a Trojan that you should remove, or whether it is a file belonging to the Windows operating system or to a trusted application.
Description: LaunchU3.exe is not essential for Windows and will often cause problems. The LaunchU3.exe file is located in a subfolder of "C:\ProgramData" or sometimes in a subfolder of C:\ (mostly C:\ProgramData\U3\U3Launcher\).
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 1,336,632 bytes (68% of all occurrences), 921,600 bytes or 1,368,064 bytes.
The file is a file with no information about its developer. The program has no visible window. LaunchU3.exe is not a Windows core file. The process can be uninstalled in the Control Panel. The file is a Verisign signed file.
LaunchU3.exe is able to monitor applications.
Therefore the technical security rating is 59% dangerous, but you should also take into account the user reviews.
Uninstalling this variant:
If you still experience problems with LaunchU3.exe, you could ask the software vendor, www.u3.com, for advice or uninstall the program using the Control Panel ⇒ Uninstall a Program ⇒ U3Launcher.
If LaunchU3.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 33% dangerous. The file size is 1,110,016 bytes (33% of all occurrences), 1,336,632 bytes or 950,272 bytes.
There is no information about the author of the file. The program is not visible. The LaunchU3.exe file is not a Windows core file.
LaunchU3.exe is able to monitor applications.
Uninstalling this variant:
If you still experience problems with LaunchU3.exe, you could ask the software vendor, www.u3.com, for advice or uninstall the program using the Control Panel ⇒ Uninstall a Program ⇒ U3Launcher or U3 Platform.
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as LaunchU3.exe, particularly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the LaunchU3.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.
It is part of U3 USB flash drive recognition software Thaddeus Bejnar (further information)
LaunchU3.exe runs on my Macintosh G4. Jmi Morrison
I found it here in Vista: C\ProgramData\U3\U3Launcher Greg
LaunchU3 came preloaded on the GeekSquad USB Flash Drive, that I purchased at Best Buy. When I inserted the drive, my computer asked if I wanted to install it. I didn't know what it was, so I began to surf the internet to find out. A. Tidwell
cruzer thumb drive allows software to run from thumb Garth Frost (further information)
it is good software it will scan after inserting in to the system R.P.MANI
Summary: Average user rating of LaunchU3.exe:
based on 10 votes with 8 user comments.
3 users think LaunchU3.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
One user thinks it's probably harmless.
5 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
One user thinks LaunchU3.exe is dangerous and recommends removing it.
4 users don't grade LaunchU3.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving LaunchU3 issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with LaunchU3. 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 LaunchU3.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
Dave Farrell (further information)
Thaddeus Bejnar (further information)
Jmi Morrison
Greg
A. Tidwell
Garth Frost (further information)
R.P.MANI
william... bill259
Summary: Average user rating of LaunchU3.exe: based on 10 votes with 8 user comments. 3 users think LaunchU3.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. One user thinks it's probably harmless. 5 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. One user thinks LaunchU3.exe is dangerous and recommends removing it. 4 users don't grade LaunchU3.exe ("not sure about it").