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What is TPkd?

TPkd.sys is a system file associated with the InterLok software protection system developed by PACE Anti-Piracy. It is a device driver file that is essential for the proper functioning of the InterLok system.

The associated software, InterLok, is a comprehensive toolset that software developers use to protect their software from piracy. It provides robust security measures to prevent unauthorized use and distribution of proprietary software.

The TPkd.sys file is needed for the InterLok system to function correctly. It helps the software to interact with the hardware of the computer, ensuring that the InterLok system can effectively protect the software it is designed to safeguard. Without this file, the InterLok system may not work as intended.

Under normal circumstances, there is no need to remove TPkd.sys as it is a crucial part of the InterLok system. If it is causing system errors or conflicts, or if you no longer use any software protected by InterLok, you may choose to uninstall it. To do this, you can use the UninstallTpkdx64 tool provided by PACE Anti-Piracy. Always remember to back up your system before making any significant changes like this.

Run a free scan to check for TPkd drivers in need of updating

TPkd.sys file information

The process known as InterLok system file belongs to software InterLok or UninstallTpkdx64 by (www.paceap.com).

Description: TPkd.sys is not essential for Windows and will often cause problems. TPkd.sys is located in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers folder. Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 72,608 bytes (20% of all occurrences), 79,408 bytes, 69,920 bytes, 93,336 bytes or 93,304 bytes. file.net/process/tpkd.sys.html 
The driver can be started or stopped from Services in the Control Panel or by other programs. The program is not visible. There is no detailed description of this service. The TPkd.sys file is not a Windows system file. It is a Verisign signed file. The software can be uninstalled in the Control Panel. TPkd.sys appears to be a compressed file. Therefore the technical security rating is 20% dangerous; but you should also compare this rating with the user reviews.

Uninstalling this variant: If you encounter difficulties with TPkd.sys, you may want to do the following:
  1) uninstall Interlok driver setup x32 or UninstallTpkdx64 from your computer using the Control Panel applet Uninstall a Program
  2) look for help on the www.paceap.com website
  3) update to a possibly corrected version.

Recommended: Identify TPkd.sys related errors

Important: Some malware camouflages itself as TPkd.sys. Therefore, you should check the TPkd.sys 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

LaserLok, copyprotection driver of some older, copy protected games
  Andre  
This file will not hurt your computer, but it is no different than spyware in the sense that it is a unique identifier that was not necessary for the developers to include. Find a way to get rid of it if you do not want to support 'institutional' spyware. It is accompanied with a few registry keys that hide in inconspicuous places, and comes as part of a number of software packages which leave it behind even after uninstall. Sneaky, but not outright harmful.
  Will  
Had some problems with virtual memory, the floppy disk controller not working and various other errors, that could be traced back to this file. I don't know what it was supposed to protect, but disabling it seemed to fix the problems
  Jak Benly   (further information)
It was installed on my system while installing Apple Quicktime.
  -T  
It's a driver for the Pace Interlok System--a copy protection program. It's only needed if you've bought a program protected by Pace's Interlok system (e.g. Word Menu). The floppy drive problem listed by someone else here is a known problem associated with an old version of tpkd.sys. Update your version on Pace's site and the conflict with the floppy drive will be eliminated
  Rich Hamper   (further information)
copy protection driver for older software. can cause 'driver power state failure' bluescreen at point of expected computer restart when shutting down or trying to restart the system. uninstall driver via system control panel (non PNP drivers). or just delete it. this is not a system dll and deleting will not harm you pc. quite contrary it will fix the mentioned bluescreen problem.
  redorc  
installed as authorization/copy protection with Waves Native power pack 3. afterwards win2k always came up with blue screen 'driver power state failure' when shutting down or restarting windows. after removal blue screen disappeared !
  Henry  
TPkd.sys is used with Network General's Sniffer Infinistream Console. I install Apple's itunes + quicktime and everytime I loaded the Console after that my box went into Blue Screen.
  Christopher Lee  
It is required for running many software applications, such as Digidesign Protools and many audio plugins, including waves and Nomad Factory. By the way this is well-known, I don't know we need to take a vote on it! It isn't dangerous but it is really annoying.
  Vince   (further information)
Required for Cycling74's Max/MSP demo
   
Network General Infinistream 4.2
  Chad BUrnham  
Part of PACE Anti-Piracy InterLok (main sys)
  sapuz   (further information)
device driver
   
It was installed without my permission and without notice. Also, the deeply hidden files and reg entries make this spyware in my book.
   
Changes some hardware registers and low level windows flags. It is possible that various software crashes. It is part of the ilok protection from pace.
  Bodo  
I used Autoruns.exe to stop the driver TPkd.sys from loading, which solved my missing pagefile problem on an XP machine.
  Joe  
WIN10 2020-06 would not update. Page in non-paged area 0x1900101-0x40017 failed: TPKD.sys failed on second boot phase. Found TPKD.sys is a PACE iLOK file for a music program with high security anti theft. Had the iLOK USB device disconnected but the software was still intact on system. Uninstalled the software and same problem. Went to iLOK website downloaded latest drivers and installed. Left iLOK device unplugged and tried WIN10 2020-06 update again and it worked.
  DAVE  
This is causing BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) when updating to Windows 10 2004
  deejay4am  

Summary: Average user rating of TPkd.sys: based on 24 votes with 18 user comments. 6 users think TPkd.sys is essential for Windows or an installed application. 2 users think it's probably harmless. 6 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 6 users suspect danger. 4 users think TPkd.sys is dangerous and recommend removing it. One user is not sure about it.


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Best practices for resolving TPkd issues

A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with TPkd. 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 TPkd.sys 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.



Other processes

TPkd.sys [all]