How to remove an wscntfy error

The free file information forum can help you determine if wscntfy.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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Wscntfy.exe file information

The process known as Windows Security Center Notification App or LMS or Virage or NT Kernel & System belongs to software Microsoft Windows Operating System or LMS or Virage or NT Kernel & System by Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) or {C015033D-5528-4F9F-B678-CC2D3726B284.

Description: wscntfy.exe is located in the folder C:\Windows\System32 or sometimes in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files\Common Files". Known file sizes on Windows 7/XP are 13,824 bytes (99% of all occurrences), 23,040 bytes and 6 more variants.
There is an icon for this program on the taskbar next to the clock. Wscntfy.exe is a Windows system file. The program has a visible window. Wscntfy.exe is a trustworthy file from Microsoft. Therefore the technical security rating is 0% dangerous, however also read the users reviews.

Recommended: Identify wscntfy.exe related errors

Viruses with the same file name

Is wscntfy.exe a virus? No, it is not. The true wscntfy.exe file is a safe Microsoft Windows system process, called "Windows Security Center Notification". 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 example Trojan.Generic.7509314 (detected by F-Secure), and Backdoor.Trojan or W32.SillyFDC (detected by Symantec).
To ensure that no rogue wscntfy.exe is running on your PC, click here to run a Free Malware Scan.

How to recognize suspicious variants? If wscntfy.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Documents and Settings", the security rating is 60% dangerous. The file size is 13,179,660 bytes (40% of all occurrences), 37,376 bytes and 13 more variants. It is not a Windows core file. The program is loaded during the Windows boot process (see Registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders). The program is not visible. There is no information about the author of the file.

If wscntfy.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\, the security rating is 56% dangerous. The file size is 13,179,660 bytes (55% of all occurrences), 29,760 bytes and 7 more variants. File wscntfy.exe is not a Windows system file. There is no file information. The program starts upon Windows startup (see Registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders). The program is not visible.

If wscntfy.exe is located in the folder C:\Windows, the security rating is 86% dangerous. The file size is 438,784 bytes.

If wscntfy.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 98% dangerous. The file size is 1,454,080 bytes.

Important: Some malware camouflages itself as wscntfy.exe, particularly when located in the c:\windows or c:\windows\system32 folder. Therefore, you should check the wscntfy.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'm constantly having to close and reopen an "unresponsive" browser.

it was in myUserName\AppData\Local was using 30% of my cpu on Windows 8
Jack

Properties describe it as Windows Security Center Notification App for Microsoft® Windows® Operating System. It is found in C:\WINDOWS\system32 and also C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386. Not exactly sure of its' intended functions. Verified as authentic Microsoft Corporation product in properties.
Dan

If this is not in the system32 directory, it is a virus!

When not connected to the net, I sometimes disable Microsoft Security Essentials by switching of real time protection and then ending its process 'MsMpgEng' in Task Manager to free up some resources, about 50 or 60k. That is when this little beauty turns up! Hey, If you don't want it, end its process, your computer your choice.
Tony

my computer it`s ver y slow now..
corisor

It can be considered as dangerous only if it's in any folder other than Windows\System32, otherwise it's a useless annoyance, as you cannot disable it in Task Manager (it'll keep coming back). Disable it in Control Panel & Services.
CW

Part of Windows Security Center. Harmless, but annoying.

More comments can be found here:
(further information)

Summary: Average user rating of wscntfy.exe: based on 216 votes with 9 reviews.

97 users think wscntfy.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 12 users think it's probably harmless. 52 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 18 users suspect danger. 37 users think wscntfy.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 15 users doesn't grade wscntfy.exe ("not sure about it").

Wscntfy scanner

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