How to remove an mcupdate error

The free file information forum can help you determine if mcupdate.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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Mcupdate.exe file information

The process known as McAfee SecurityCenter Update Engine or Windows Media Center Store Update Manager or McAfee Update Launcher or VirusScan AutoUpdate or McAfee.com SecurityCenter Update Engine

belongs to software McAfee SecurityCenter or Microsoft Windows Operating System or McAfee.com SecurityCenter or McAfee AntiSpyware Enterprise or McAfee VirusScan Enterprise

by McAfee (www.mcafee.com) or Networks Associates Technology (nai.com) or Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) or McAfee.com (us.mcafee.com) or Network Associates (nai.com).

Description: mcupdate.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files" - e.g. C:\Program Files\mcafee.com\Agent\. Known file sizes on Windows 7/XP are 212,992 bytes (76% of all occurrences), 180,224 bytes and 8 more variants.
The program has a visible window. Mcupdate.exe is not a Windows core file. The process starts when Windows starts (see Registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run). mcupdate.exe is able to record inputs, monitor applications and hide itself. Therefore the technical security rating is 24% dangerous, however also read the users reviews.
You may want to uninstall the software McAfee VirusScan Enterprise or McAfee, Inc. using the "Add or Remove Programs" function of Windows Control Panel (Windows: Start, Settings, Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs).

Recommended: Identify mcupdate.exe related errors

If mcupdate.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 2% dangerous. The file size is 136,192 bytes (66% of all occurrences) or 198,656 bytes. The file is a Windows core system file. The program has no visible window. Mcupdate.exe is a trustworthy file from Microsoft.

External information from Paul Collins:

"McUpdateExe" can run at start up. From McAfee VirusScan On-line. Automatically updates your virus definitions. Leave enabled unless you regularly update these definitions

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

mcagent.exe is a process associated with McAfee Internet Security Suite. This process ensures the computer's virus definations are up to date by communicating with the McAfee VirusScan server on the network. This program is important for the stable and secure running of your antivirus program and should not be terminated.
Elric Ward

McAfee.com part of McAfee internet suite
Shalianahe

After my Virus Scan 9 expired, I started to get messages that "mcupdate.exe" required me to connect to the Internet. Now, a month after installing Virus Scan Ver 10 I still get these messages. Should this happen, and if no what can I do. Thanks.
Norman Raby

Although it's for auto updating McAfee, it's so persistant about not being removed. I don't like software that reinstalls itself.
J. Michrina

It comes up when I turn on computer & blocks out my lower task bar.
janyron

constantly create problem and does not cooperate with another programs as Java for example
LK

The only problems with this is when it updates while you play cpu chewing games.
Matthew P

To stop it! Press start! Control panel! Performance! Administrative Tools! Services! Find the McAfee Updater! R Click! Choose Properties! See ENABLED with a down ARROW! Click Arrow! Choose Disable! Click OK! Close! Restart computer!
D. Stone

On Windows Vista, It's the Media Center Store Updater.
Charles

Needed for McAfee VirusScan
Eagle

I'm running Vista without any McAfee products and I have this occasionally running
Damian Leroux

mcupdate.exe is also Microsoft Media Center's updater on Vista, located in C:\Windows
B. V. Aphraid

Vista application "Windows Media Center Store Update Manager" in \Windows\ehome. (Runs even if you never use Media Center.)

I once had Norton (Symantec)..Now I have Microsoft OneCare...I have never had Macafee...I know there is Trojan activity on my Vista Computers. I welcome UAC because it alerts me security is high. I found a folder that wouldn't allow me, the owner and administrator to look at its contents. I couldn't change permissions. Even though I was already listed as owner I couldn't take ownership and I couldn't give it away so I couldn't increase my permissions. The curious thing is that it is a Windows Temp file.
Binatackd ndintlikt

I have the program "Process Explorer" and while I was watching a movie my network and CPU usage spiked up high wich caused my movie to lag, that was the reason i found out about it. When i looked at the discription it had given it said that it was used by windows home entertainment centre (definetly not McAfee). Does one of you have an explanation for this?
R. Tobi

Part of Vista Media Center, stored in C:\Windows\ehome. Runs as a Network Service. File description says: "Windows Media Center Store Update Manager"
Todd

Updater for Windows Media Center. It is located in c:\windows\ehome
Jan du Plessies

This has nothing to do with McAffee, it's Windows Media Centre Store Update, and you should not delete it.

It is the updater for windows media store. It was highlighted by Norton when it wanted internet access. Norton's recommendation is to let it run. Found in C:/windows/ehome
Jimmie Clark

this update also pinged my firewall, only i don't have mcafee. it was in my windows/ehome trying to call outbound. ehome has no file associated with mcupdate,exe. somebody's trying to be sneaky, luckily i caught it, but you guys be careful and read those "annoying vista firewall popups". they'll save you an ENORMOUS headache.
captaintanqueray

mcupdate.exe is an autoupdater for Windows Media Center Store. It endeavors to contact the internet without my permission and gets me kicked out of video games every time it tries to contact the internet. I don't have Mcafee on my computer so I can't be associated with that program.
Michael

Like one user said, it appears on my Vista machine at Windows\eHome and runs whether I use the Media Center or not (I never do). I'd love to know a way to disable it. Norton Antivirus treats it as a danger. At least it's bothersome.
Mike Rediker

i have never mcafee on my pc- why write its from mcafee? its from M$
teutonischer berggeist

Windows Media Center update process

Comodo reported it wanted to control all my parent pograms and I do not have McAfee installed. I don't trust any program that tries to usurp my authority as Administrator and reinstalls itself. Vista updates should be used with caution.
Que

Re: Vista mcupdate.exe Windows Media Center Store Update Manager (Checks for Media Center updates). If shown running in Windows Task Manager, End Process. Then, disable it in Task Scheduler Task Schedule Library Microsoft Windows Media Center. I didn't mind it running, but my Symantec firewall would pop-up three times before it would accept my OK to continue.
Ron aka LanWanMan, Ocala, FL USA

media center store update file
noob man

It is a Microsoft Media Center Updater in Windows/ehome folder.
Rehmat Ullah

Potential for confusion since this filename is used for two entirely different purposes: Windows Media Center Update and McAfee Update.
Richard Russell

as there is written o.O if its in a subfolder of c:/microsoft hten its from wmc, else (dont remember where it was then) its from mcdonalds antivirus - whatever it shouldnt be deleted if you need the program
sataan1337 (further information)

i believe its for microsoft meda center ( vista windows 7 ) as i dont have mac afee or norton in my opinion they both arent worth messing with ! if you want security and like to know what is going on and what is installing and updating on your computer ? get comodo internet security premium its free and full of powerfull options and far supases anything norton or macafee can do !
ian / afordable computer repair

it is using tons of CPU and memory and I can see its running in the Resource Monitor but when I do a full search for Mcupdate.exe its not on my drive
Cnote

Summary: Average user rating of mcupdate.exe: based on 31 votes with 32 reviews.

16 users think mcupdate.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. 4 users suspect danger. 3 users think mcupdate.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 8 users doesn't grade mcupdate.exe ("not sure about it").

Mcupdate scanner

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