What is bginfo.exe?
The genuine bginfo.exe file is a software component of Sysinternals BGInfo by Microsoft.
Bginfo.exe is an executable file that runs Sysinternals BGInfo, a tool that let users display system information on the desktop background. This is not a critical Windows component and should be removed if known to cause problems. BGInfo is a simple utility program for Windows that automatically displays currently system status and important information about the computer directly on the desktop background. The program can display computer name, current IP address, service pack version, etc. Font styles and background colors are customizable. The program can be placed in the startup folder to run on every boot, and can even be used to display information as the background for the logon screen. BGInfo was first published on August 1, 2013. Sysinternals is a website launched in 1996 by Mark Russinovich and Bryce Cogswell to host their free yet advanced system utilities designed to administer and monitor computers running Microsoft Windows. In 2006, Microsoft acquired Sysinternals, as well as Winternals Software LP, the company that operated the Sysinternals website. Windows Sysinternals is currently part of the Microsoft TechNet website. Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen and quickly rose to prominence following the launch of their popular operating system, MS-DOS for early personal computers. After the company went public in 1986, its rising share prices created three billionaires and roughly 12,000 millionaires from Microsoft employees. Microsoft began developing graphical user interfaces and the distinguishable Start-button after the introduction of Windows 95. Further additions like networking and security soon followed. Microsoft is currently headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA.
BGInfo stands for Sysinternals BGInfo: Display system information on desktop background
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 bginfo.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.
Click to Run a Free Scan for bginfo.exe related errors
Bginfo.exe file information
The process known as BGInfo - Wallpaper text configurator belongs to software Sysinternals Utilities or BGInfo by Sysinternals (technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals).
Description: Bginfo.exe is not essential for the Windows OS and causes relatively few problems. Bginfo.exe is located in the C:\Windows folder or sometimes in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files".
The file size on Windows 10/11/7 is 845,864 bytes. 
The program has a visible window. It is not a Windows core file. It is digitally signed. The process can be removed using the Control Panel's Add\Remove programs applet. The program is loaded during the Windows boot process (see Registry key: MACHINE\Run).
Bginfo.exe is able to monitor applications and record keyboard and mouse inputs.
Therefore the technical security rating is 0% dangerous, however you should also read the user reviews.
Recommended: Identify bginfo.exe related errors
- If bginfo.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\, the security rating is 10% dangerous. The file size is 844,648 bytes.
The program has a visible window. It is not a Windows system file. Bginfo.exe is digitally signed.
Bginfo.exe is able to record keyboard and mouse inputs and monitor applications.
- If bginfo.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 0% dangerous. The file size is 844,648 bytes.
The program has a visible window. Bginfo.exe is not a Windows core file. It is digitally signed. The software starts when Windows starts (see Registry key: MACHINE\Run).
Bginfo.exe is able to monitor applications and record keyboard and mouse inputs.
External information from Paul Collins:
- "BGInfo" can run at start up. BGinfo automatically displays relevant information about a Windows computer on the desktop's background, such as the computer name, IP address, service pack version, and more
Important: Some malware disguises itself as bginfo.exe, particularly when not located in the C:\Windows folder. Therefore, you should check the bginfo.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.
Best practices for resolving bginfo issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with bginfo. 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 bginfo.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.
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Summary: Average user rating of bginfo.exe: based on 13 votes with 10 user comments. 9 users think bginfo.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 2 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 2 users suspect danger.