Most antivirus programs identify AutoKMS.exe as malware—for instance Sophos identifies it as Generic PUA BP (PUA), and Microsoft identifies it as HackTool:Win32/AutoKMS or HackTool:Win32/Keygen.
The AutoKMS.exe file is a software component of AutoKMS. "AutoKMS.exe" was coded by two anonymous developers in or before 2010. It usually installs in "C:\Windows\AutoKMS\AutoKMS.exe", sometimes "C:\Windows\AutoKMS.exe". It enables users of "cracked" volume-licensed copies of Microsoft Office to keep them activated. Microsoft's volume licensing reduces costs for businesses and universities to provide Windows and Office to employees. One KMS activation key is supplied to the client. An administrator installs that key and multiple "host license files" on a computer or server and client copies send activation requests to this "KMS host." Programs such as "AutoKMS.exe" intercept and "satisfy" these requests when there is no legitimate KMS Host to receive them. "AutoKMS.exe" can be deleted but downloading "keygen" or "KMS emulator" software from sublegal sources often brings along other malware with it and can attract hijacking or ransomware attacks.
AutoKMS stands for Automatic Key Management System Bypass
The free file information forum can help you find out how to remove it. If you have additional information about this file, please leave a comment or a suggestion for other users.
Description: AutoKMS.exe is not essential for the Windows OS and causes relatively few problems. The AutoKMS.exe file is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows or sometimes in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files" (for example C:\Windows\AutoKMS\).
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 3,738,624 bytes (12% of all occurrences), 3,727,360 bytes and 34 more variants.
It is not a Windows core file. AutoKMS.exe is a file with no information about its developer. Windows Task Scheduler starts this process at a specific time.
AutoKMS.exe is able to manipulate other programs.
Therefore the technical security rating is 47% dangerous, however you should also read the user reviews.
If AutoKMS.exe is located in the C:\Windows folder, the security rating is 53% dangerous. The file size is 614,400 bytes (38% of all occurrences), 446,258 bytes and 4 more variants.
AutoKMS.exe is a file with no information about its developer. The AutoKMS.exe file is not a Windows core file. The program has no visible window.
If AutoKMS.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\, the security rating is 46% dangerous. The file size is 1,923,584 bytes.
AutoKMS.exe is a file with no information about its developer. It is not a Windows system file. The program is not visible.
AutoKMS.exe is able to manipulate other programs, monitor applications and record keyboard and mouse inputs.
If AutoKMS.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 100% dangerous. The file size is 33,280 bytes.
Important: You should check the AutoKMS.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.
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User Comments
This is not dangerous, it is used to bypass microsoft office activation
it is used the prevent windows 8 from verifying a cracked Key. Any cracked Windows8 OS needs it mrnub
AutoKMS is a keygen. It automatically executes because Office 2010 is a b*** and needs to be reactivated every time you restart the computer.
Bypassing activation by microsoft
Used for cracking purposes of MS Office 2010 and it is needed to run cracked version Emre (further information)
it hangs system prashant d
bypass for microsoft activation Len
Used to automatically activate VL-Editions (before their expiry date) of: Office 2010 / Office 2013 / Windows 8 / Windows 8.1 / Windows Server 2012 / Windows Server 2012 R2
1. It is needed to keep windows 8 and office activated 2. It is safe, ESS 7 has no alarm even no suspicion for it. ESET is known for least false positive threat sense. 3. I enjoy having it. dani
Used to simulate a KMS Server for testing purposes. SCBright
not dangerous but if you have it then you have free microsoft outlook no
Office 2010 crack
Bypass the activatíon of MS Office 2010
it's waste of thing in pc, please remove it first from your pc,if not it will change your windows8/8.1 into other ones.......! ram
My Windows7 got error when Kaspersky remove this file. Keep this crack file if you are using non-ori Windows7 I Love Windows7
I only have it from a torrent. It is indeed malware and should be removed. I am currently in the process of attempting to rid my computer of it with repeated complication. I regret clicking immediately. SauceIII
Needed to keep unlicensed copies of Office or Windows activated. Anonymous
I do not know about KMS.exe Olga Madeira
it's an activator for office 2010 and 2013. David
It's needed if you installed a cracked version of Microsoft Office and/or Windows. tripper
It prevents Windows 8 from checking a cracked key, it is not dangerous Tim
AutoKMS.exe is a software that makes sure that Microsoft office stays registered (cracked).
Used by the Microsoft Toolkit (which isn´t actually from Microsoft) to crack Windows or Office Blub
It is part of the Windows Toolkit (completely harmless). And you shouldnt block/delete it. Aris (further information)
It will come up as dangerous and harmful because your using a program that isnt certified. It doesnt harm your PC. If you are using AutoKMS, it is because you are either using office or Windows OS cracked, the cracked files is the AutoKMS, it allows you to use the microsoft software without paying for it. Dont Worry
Virus!!! IDK KDI
It activate windows 7/8 but it is ALSO reputed to be a trojan !!! JPA
used to activate windows 10 me
it's an executable file that will automaticly renew pirated licenses of e.g Office Ken
Auto KMS or KMSpico is a tool to crack Windows or Office Activation. If you find it on a brand new PC, ur Windows is probably cracked. But it isn't harmful in any sense. ~Phoenix
AutoKMS.exe is used to bypass the MS Office Trial Screen. If you remove it then MS Word, etc will prompt you for a valid activation key. Pete
A legend to activate Windows and Microsoft Office. Jacob
it is needed to install office 2010,2016 etc in cracked verson in Win 8.1,any other, you Have not to pay 5000 to microsoft company of Bill Gates,thanks. keep it in another D,E ,F.not C drive J K solankee India
AutoKMS is a key management service that is used to illegally use windows operating systems and Microsoft office applications. Annonymous Donor (further information)
Talk Talk Supersafe keeps blocking it
Slows the computer down a little but used for office cracking so that's why. Michael
it is used/installed to keep the cracked version of Office 2010/2013 activated Works as a network 'correcpondent' ... marc M
This program may useful for end-user because it will re-activate Windows license without prompting or re-run again for Windows working normally. Hanif Shaquille Budiawan
harmless tool for windows activation satansanta
AutoKMS is used to bypass Windows Product activation. Windows OS or Office Products. Removing it will probably make your stuff stop work within 30-90 days. If you have cracked software keep it. If you have Legit software and pay for it ( not from a 3rd party ) then remove it. Clay
A tool from the Windows Toolkit that allows you to pirate copies of Windows 10 Pro and whatnot. It's not a virus. Daily redditor
MS Toolkit OS Cracker.
its used to activate microsoft software for free... but this is piracy and illegal... richard
It's host that is needed to run Office 2013, cuz the activation is so stupid and it needs to be activated every time you restart the computer. It's safe but anyways I recommend take scan with av/virus total Gretis
As long as the version you used not from some shady website, you're good to go. Internet Overseer
Office 10 validation tool Allan
used for office 2010 cracked version, is a must have to bypass license check. it wont harm you is only used to bypass license of office products. Microsoft put it as malware beacause they dont want you to use cracked version without pay for it. If you want to have office for free you need this file. yo
If you install microsoft products that require product activation then you need it. it flares up as Malware in antivirus programs regardless it is dangerous or not. Make sure that you download it from known sources. If Autokms is downloaded from reliable source then its not dangerous but many unreliable sources are used by hackers to make use of this file to get access to your pc. Shakir
normal for product activation without key
It is a key bypass tool that is a part of the Microsoft Toolkit and is used to breaking into windows to activate it. AAAAAAAAAAAA
used to activate windows and prevent it from detecting counterfeit licence Vikash
Ofcourse Microsoft will hate it, because it is used for software activation (Windows, Office...). From some sources it might be harmless, but could also be infected as any other .EXE file. Monitor your computer and outgoing data for some time at the beginning, and make backup of anything important in case of added raansomware. Simon Miles
Show all user comments
Summary: Average user rating of AutoKMS.exe:
based on 94 votes with 54 user comments.
49 users think AutoKMS.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
16 users think it's probably harmless.
14 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
2 users suspect danger.
13 users think AutoKMS.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
2 users don't grade AutoKMS.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving AutoKMS issues
The following programs have also been shown useful for a deeper analysis: ASecurity Task Manager examines the active AutoKMS process on your computer and clearly tells you what it is doing. A good Bantivirus tool detects whether the AutoKMS.exe file on your PC might be malware slowing down your system. Such unwanted programs are often not classified as viruses by other antivirus software and therefore go undetected.
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding PC trouble. 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 restore the original performance and remove unnecessary programs, you can 8reset your PC. Your personal files will remain intact, but any programs you installed will need to be reinstalled.
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User Comments
mrnub
Emre (further information)
prashant d
Len
Justin
zehata
dani
SCBright
no
ram
I Love Windows7
SauceIII
Anonymous
Olga Madeira
David
tripper
Tim
Blub
Aris (further information)
Dont Worry
IDK KDI
JPA
me
Ken
~Phoenix
Pete
Jacob
J K solankee India
Annonymous Donor (further information)
Michael
marc M
Hanif Shaquille Budiawan
satansanta
Clay
Daily redditor
richard
Gretis
Internet Overseer
Allan
yo
Shakir
AAAAAAAAAAAA
Vikash
Simon Miles
Summary: Average user rating of AutoKMS.exe: based on 94 votes with 54 user comments. 49 users think AutoKMS.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 16 users think it's probably harmless. 14 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 2 users suspect danger. 13 users think AutoKMS.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 2 users don't grade AutoKMS.exe ("not sure about it").