The genuine ASCTray.exe file is a software component of Advanced SystemCare by IObit Pty, Ltd.. "ASCTray.exe" is one of three background processes in IObit's Advanced SystemCare security and registry cleaner software. It displays the ASC icon (a circled "C") in the system tray, and a menu if it is right-clicked. It also starts "ASC.exe" which runs in the background but can be stopped using the icon menu "Exit" option, or via Task Manager. ASC has three versions, free, Pro (paid), and Ultimate, and ASCTray will be present whichever is installed. ASC Ultimate includes the Bitdefender antivirus engine. Some question the ethics of IObit, a Chinese company founded in 2004, saying that their installations include extraneous toolbars, PUPs, and even malware. Uninstalling Advanced SystemCare is said to be simple with their Uninstaller program, but elsewhere said to be incomplete and requiring complex steps to remove it fully.
ASCTray stands for Advanced SystemCare System Tray Icon Module
The .exe extension on a filename indicates an executable file. Executable files may, in some cases, harm your computer. Therefore, please read below to decide for yourself whether the ASCTray.exe on your computer is a Trojan that you should remove, or whether it is a file belonging to the Windows operating system or to a trusted application.
Description: ASCTray.exe is not essential for the Windows OS and causes relatively few problems. ASCTray.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files (x86)" or sometimes in a subfolder of C:\—common is C:\Program Files (x86)\IObit\Advanced SystemCare\.
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 2,429,728 bytes (11% of all occurrences), 2,428,704 bytes and 83 more variants.
ASCTray.exe is not a Windows core file. It is certified by a trustworthy company. The ASCTray.exe file is a Verisign signed file. The software is loaded during the Windows boot process (see Registry key: Run, DEFAULT\Run, TaskScheduler, MACHINE\Run).
The program has no visible window. There is no file information.
ASCTray.exe is able to record keyboard and mouse inputs, monitor applications, manipulate other programs and connect to the Internet.
Therefore the technical security rating is 29% dangerous; however you should also read the user reviews.
Uninstalling this variant:
You may also do the following: 1) uninstall the program using the Control Panel ⇒ Uninstall a Program ⇒ Advanced SystemCare 8 or Advanced SystemCare 2) ask the software vendor, www.iobit.com, for advice 3) update the program.
If ASCTray.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 64% dangerous. The file size is 2,429,728 bytes (40% of all occurrences), 2,010,912 bytes, 3,678,992 bytes or 2,019,616 bytes.
The process is loaded during the Windows boot process (see Registry key: Run, DEFAULT\Run, TaskScheduler, MACHINE\Run).
The ASCTray.exe file is a Verisign signed file. The file has a digital signature. The program is not visible. The ASCTray.exe file is not a Windows system file. There is no information about the author of the file.
ASCTray.exe is able to record keyboard and mouse inputs, monitor applications, connect to the Internet and manipulate other programs.
Uninstalling this variant:
You may also do the following: 1) uninstall the program using the Control Panel ⇒ Uninstall a Program ⇒ Advanced SystemCare 8 or Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 2) ask the software vendor, www.iobit.com, for advice 3) update the program.
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as ASCTray.exe, particularly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder, for example PE_NESHTA.A (detected by TrendMicro), and Virus:Win32/Neshta.A (detected by Microsoft). Therefore, you should check the ASCTray.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
its a system utility ecstatic
Qu'il peut geler l'ordinateur jacques
It is from advanced system care, and is a great utility according to some. I personally dislike it Beats (further information)
ASC tray scanner is free but not fixing the problems it "detects".Not happy at all. aki
just as any antimalware optimization or registry tweaking program it needs to have permissions to be intrusive to be able to function properly. it is visible on your taskbar and when you run scans you can see what is being scanned and pick and choose what you wish to change or leave the way it is. put careful consideration into changes you make and thoroughly go through setup options to meet your preferences. Autostart is not required you can start your computer and then start the program if desired. keep in mind other software that you have that may cause conflicts and or system errors. providing its setup correctly its awesome. Andy K.
Have used ASC for YEARS and love Iobit & their programs. I have had ZERO issues with them, although recently, I HAVE begun to quarantine some of their processes with Malwarebytes, while I allow the best to run. I do this more to streamline the programs rather than because I think they are malware. On the contrary: Iobit helps me keep my systems running in tip-top shape. Jaqi
its awesome! RICH
Advanced Systemcare is a clean-up utility that has some good tools. I have used ASC for over 10 years and I will continue to use it Dan West
Summary: Average user rating of ASCTray.exe:
based on 21 votes with 11 user comments.
12 users think ASCTray.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
6 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
3 users suspect danger.
2 users don't grade ASCTray.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving ASCTray issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with ASCTray. 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 ASCTray.exe 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.
Score
User Comments
ecstatic
jacques
Beats (further information)
aki
svetlina (further information)
Andy K.
isuru (further information)
Jaqi
RICH
Dan West
Summary: Average user rating of ASCTray.exe: based on 21 votes with 11 user comments. 12 users think ASCTray.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 6 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 3 users suspect danger. 2 users don't grade ASCTray.exe ("not sure about it").