The genuine avscan.exe file is a software component of Avira Free Antivirus by Avira. Avira Free Antivirus is a security program that protects computers against malware, viruses, spyware, trojans and computer worms. Avscan.exe launches the AntiVirus scanner that scans the computer for malicious software. This is not an essential Windows process and can be disabled if known to create problems.
Avira Free Antivirus is a freely available security program for non-commercial or home use. The program features an antivirus scanner, PUA (potentially unwanted applications) shield, cloud protection technology and more. Avira Free Antivirus supports the Windows, Mac OSX, iOS and Android platforms.
Avira Operations GmbH & Co. KG is a German company that develops antivirus software, applications for Internet security, privacy protection, as well as performance tools for multiple platforms. Avira was founded as H+BEDV Datentechnik by Tjark Auerbach in 1986 in Tettnang, Germany. The company launched the first instance of AntiVir, its first antivirus program in 1988, combating viruses found on MS-DOS systems. In 2006, the company changed its name to Avira after merging with its sister company, AntiVir PersonalProducts GmbH. Avira is currently headquartered in Tettnang, Germany.
AVScan stands for Avira AntiVir Scanner
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 avscan.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: Avscan.exe is not essential for the Windows OS and causes relatively few problems. Avscan.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files (x86)"—mostly C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\Antivirus\.
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 1,483,568 bytes (9% of all occurrences), 3,534,776 bytes and 22 more variants.
The file is not a Windows system file. It is digitally signed. The avscan.exe file is a Verisign signed file.
Avscan.exe is able to monitor applications.
Therefore the technical security rating is 8% dangerous; but you should also compare this rating with the user reviews.
Uninstalling this variant:
You can contact www.avira.com Customer Service [1][2], check the vendor’s website for a newer version [1][2] or completely remove Avira Antivirus or Avira Free Antivirus (Control Panel ⇒ Uninstall a Program).
"Wlan Driver" definitely not required. Added by the WOOTBOT.DH WORM!
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as avscan.exe, particularly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the avscan.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 want to void my subscription Ronald Herbert
avscan.exe is part of Antivirus Soft (Malware) RealBigReel
This is a resourse pig but part of Avira opperations. If within Avira files then okay. KnK
I have Avira Anti Virus Free on my XP pro. The avscan.exe file is 992KB in C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop - folder. When showing 'avscan.exe' SYSTEM CPU around 5-55% (peaking occassionally at CPU 85%) it does not seem to cause a problem. My keyboard and programs like IE become unresponsive when it peaks at 98-99%. (while typing this my keypresses are buffered and eventually - about 10 seconds later get typed!) Access is denied if I try to stop the process/process tree in 'Windows Task Manager'. Stopping 'Luke Filewalker' the mini screen that displays the progress of the Avira Computer Scan restors the keyboard and programs to their responsive state. Avira has a 'scan priority' setting; access from Avira window. Clicking on the 'gear wheel' icon next to the 'scan system' tab icon allows the priority to be changed. Reducing this from 'high' to 'low' stops this problem. Note also that the box for 'stopping' the scan is best 'ticked' until you are happy with your settings - since the Avira system wants to prevent high-jacking (as do all Anti Virus programs) you can't intervene in a scan unless you set this box as ticked, the same for a hacker. Not sure if help is for free version - but link given below. Keith (further information)
Summary: Average user rating of avscan.exe:
based on 12 votes with 4 user comments.
6 users think avscan.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
3 users think it's probably harmless.
One user suspects danger.
2 users think avscan.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
2 users don't grade avscan.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving avscan issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with avscan. 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 avscan.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
Ronald Herbert
RealBigReel
KnK
Keith (further information)
Summary: Average user rating of avscan.exe: based on 12 votes with 4 user comments. 6 users think avscan.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 3 users think it's probably harmless. One user suspects danger. 2 users think avscan.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 2 users don't grade avscan.exe ("not sure about it").