How to remove an msmsgs error

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Msmsgs.exe file information

The process known as Windows Messenger or Messenger or Messenger Client or WOW or strch

belongs to software Messenger or IESpy or MSN Add-in for Windows or Windows Messenger or Pocket Hack Master (version 2005) or HijackThis or NVIDIA ForceWare Network or Argus Digital Camera

by Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) or ProIntel.

Description: msmsgs.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files" - mostly C:\Program Files\Messenger\. Known file sizes on Windows 7/XP are 1,694,208 bytes (69% of all occurrences), 1,695,232 bytes and 46 more variants.  
The file is not a Windows system file. Msmsgs.exe is a trustworthy file from Microsoft. The program has no visible window. msmsgs.exe is able to record inputs. Therefore the technical security rating is 20% dangerous, however also read the users reviews.

Recommended: Identify msmsgs.exe related errors

Viruses with the same file name

Is msmsgs.exe a virus? No, it is not. The true msmsgs.exe file is a safe Microsoft Windows system process, called "Windows Messenger". However, writers of malware programs, such as viruses, worms, and trojans deliberately give their processes the same file name to escape detection. Viruses with the same file name are for instance TROJ_BREDLAB.SMP or WORM_SOHANAD.OL (detected by TrendMicro), and TrojanDownloader:Win32/Unruy.C or Worm:Win32/Sohanad.I (detected by Microsoft).
To ensure that no rogue msmsgs.exe is running on your PC, click here to run a Free Malware Scan.

How to recognize suspicious variants? If msmsgs.exe is located in the folder C:\Windows\System32, the security rating is 77% dangerous. The file size is 215,456 bytes (34% of all occurrences), 1,341,126 bytes and 26 more variants. The file is a file without information about the developer of this file. The file is not a Windows system file. The application starts when Windows starts (see Registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices, HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Runonce, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Userinit, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce). The program has no visible window. It is located in the Windows folder, but it is not a Windows core file. msmsgs.exe is able to monitor applications, manipulate other programs and record inputs.

If msmsgs.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Documents and Settings", the security rating is 61% dangerous. The file size is 69,632 bytes (50% of all occurrences), 90,112 bytes, 53,550 bytes or 2,048 bytes. There is no file information. It is not a Windows system file. The process starts upon Windows startup (see Registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices, HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Runonce, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Userinit, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce). The program is not visible. msmsgs.exe is able to monitor applications.

If msmsgs.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 68% dangerous. The file size is 1,667,584 bytes (50% of all occurrences), 806,912 bytes or 215,456 bytes.

If msmsgs.exe is located in the folder C:\Windows, the security rating is 58% dangerous. The file size is 153,321 bytes (75% of all occurrences) or 156,905 bytes.

If msmsgs.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows\System32, the security rating is 85% dangerous. The file size is 215,081 bytes.

External information from Paul Collins:
There are different files with the same name:

• "MSMSGS" can run at start up. Windows Messenger utility. If you don't use Windows Messenger, this can be annoying. Available via Start → Programs. Go to Windows Messenger > Tools > Options > Preferences and uncheck "Run this program when Windows starts"
• "Msn Update Manager (Sp2)" definitely not required.

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

Msmsgs scanner

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