How to remove an zHotkey error

The free file information forum can help you determine if zHotkey.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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ZHotkey.exe file information

The process known as Multimedia Keyboard Driver or Chicony Multimedia Driver belongs to software Multimedia Keyboard Driver or Chicony Multimedia Driver by Chicony (www.chicony.com).

Description: zHotkey.exe is located in the folder C:\Windows or sometimes in a subfolder of "C:\Documents and Settings". Known file sizes on Windows 7/XP are 543,232 bytes (59% of all occurrences), 550,912 bytes, 496,640 bytes, 547,840 bytes or 515,584 bytes.
ZHotkey.exe is not a Windows core file. The program starts when Windows starts (see Registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run). The program is not visible. It is located in the Windows folder, but it is not a Windows core file. ZHotkey.exe is able to record keyboard inputs. There is no description of the program. zHotkey.exe is able to record inputs. Therefore the technical security rating is 94% dangerous, however also read the users reviews.

Recommended: Identify zHotkey.exe related errors

External information from Paul Collins:

"CHotKey" can run at start up. Enables special keys on Chicony keyboards. Special combinations include Internet, E-mail, vol , vol-, mute, etc. Only required for extended features

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

it is a nuisance and delays opening to internet or e-mail.
Catherine

comes up on bottom of screen but I cant get it to do anything when I click on it except close it. to
dave

changes my keyboard press characters;
Viswanath

My computerruns very slow and does'nt respond to comnds as it should.Personally I don't appreciate all the dificulties but am afraid to remove it.
Patti

"zHotkey.exe" is harmless. It gives additional functions to Chicony keyboards. Chicony keyboards are also used with gateway computers.

Fake Software
Neo (further information)

It's for those shortcut buttons on eMachines keyboards. If you follow others' advice to remove it, then you'll be left without those helpful shortcuts on your keyboard.

needed for emachine keyboard
guest 1234 (further information)

More comments can be found here:
(further information)

Summary: Average user rating of zHotkey.exe: based on 60 votes with 9 reviews.

27 users think zHotkey.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 5 users think it's probably harmless. 14 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 6 users suspect danger. 8 users think zHotkey.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 8 users doesn't grade zHotkey.exe ("not sure about it").

ZHotkey 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.

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