How to remove an nprotect error

The free file information forum can help you determine if nprotect.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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Nprotect.exe file information

The process known as Norton Protection Status or Norton Protection® Service

belongs to software Norton Utilities (version 2003 for, 2002 for) or Norton SystemWorks (version 2006, 2004, 2005, 2006 Basic) or Advanced Tools or Norton Unerase Protection or Symantec Shared Components or MAGIX PhotoStory on CD & DVD or HVAC SuperTech (version V8) or Protected Exchange

by Symantec (www.symantec.com).

Description: nprotect.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files" or sometimes in a subfolder of C:\ - usually C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton Utilities\ or C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\AdvTools\. Known file sizes on Windows 7/XP are 135,168 bytes (55% of all occurrences), 139,264 bytes and 9 more variants.
The program has no visible window. File nprotect.exe is not a Windows core file. Therefore the technical security rating is 32% dangerous, however also read the users reviews.
You have the option to uninstall the associated program (Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove programs > Advanced Tools or Norton Utilities).

Recommended: Identify nprotect.exe related errors

If nprotect.exe is located in the folder C:\Windows\System32, the security rating is 95% dangerous. The file size is 569,344 bytes (85% of all occurrences) or 481,792 bytes. There is no information about the author of the file. The program has no visible window. File nprotect.exe is located in the Windows folder, but it is not a Windows core file. The file is able to record keyboard inputs. The file is not a Windows core file. nprotect.exe is able to record inputs and monitor applications.

External information from Paul Collins:

"NPROTECT" can run at start up. Norton Protected Recycle Bin from Norton Utilities. Adds an extra layer of safety before you remove deleted files from the Recycled Bin. Can be listed twice which is valid - see here

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

I had over 3 MILLION files in NPROTECT (206GB on 2 drives) which had been accumulating since 2005, including transfer to a new PC. Emptying the Recycle Bin didn't fix and it wouldn't allow deletion using Explorer. A Norton customer assistance contact didn't recognise the file as Norton's so didn't help in deleting it. I have just carried out the procedures outlined by "Turtle" and "D Hartman" and finally succeeded in getting rid of the monster. My grateful thanks to both, and to this website!
Airlie

PCTools findes it as a *high threat* and it has over 20,000 files that virtually bring the PC to a standstill.
Roger Halstead

NPROTECT.EXE can be disabled in Administrative Tools, Services as Norton Unerase Protection in WinXP and 2000. I’ve had problems in the past with NPROTECT.EXE and just ran into some with a new install of WinXP SP3 I’m working on. Folders I was working on appeared and disappeared. The F: drive disappeared briefly from the Norton Protected Recycle Bin then reappeared after loging off and back on. This could have caused serious data loss. Checked volue for errors with auto correct. The files lost were easily downloaded again from GRC.com.
D. Hartman

nprotect is not dangerous but safe.
Ray (further information)

NPROTECT is a subdirectory of the RECYCLER file , a hidden file on the root directory in C: drive. I was concerned at the amount of space taken up by it.. The solution was dead easy: simply emty the Norton Protected Recyce Bin!
Alan B

IT can be dangerous but most of the time its not. Visit the link if you are an expert.
Nprotect

Its your trash can, right click on your recycle bin, go to properties, and change the 10% to like 2%. Its the amount of space your computer defaults to and sets aside for "trash storage".
destini

I have nprotect322.exe running but I do NOT have Norton what is this?

More comments can be found here:
(further information)

Summary: Average user rating of nprotect.exe: based on 47 votes with 9 reviews.

30 users think nprotect.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 5 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 5 users suspect danger. 7 users think nprotect.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 9 users doesn't grade nprotect.exe ("not sure about it").

Nprotect 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.

Spyware Doctor 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.

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