The genuine calc.exe file is a software component of Microsoft Windows Operating System by Microsoft. Included in every release of Microsoft Windows, Calc.exe is a calculator application. Older versions of Windows have a more simple interface, while Windows 7 and higher include a more robust calculator with scientific functions included. Founded in 1975, Microsoft's flagship product is the Windows operating system, which is installed on over 90% of workstations worldwide.
Calc stands for Calculator
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 calc.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: The original calc.exe from Microsoft is an important part of Windows, but often causes problems. Calc.exe is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder or sometimes in a subfolder of C:\Windows.
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 26,112 bytes (50% of all occurrences), 776,192 bytes, 114,688 bytes or 966,928 bytes.
Calc.exe is a Microsoft signed file. The program is not visible.
Therefore the technical security rating is 2% dangerous; but you should also compare this rating with the user reviews.
Is calc.exe a virus? No, it is not. The true calc.exe file is a safe Microsoft Windows system process, called "Windows Calculator".
However, writers of malware programs, such as viruses, worms, and Trojans deliberately give their processes the same file name to escape detection. Viruses with the same file name are for example UDS:DangerousObject.Multi.Generic (detected by Kaspersky), and Trojan:Win32/Wacatac.C!ml (detected by Microsoft).
To ensure that no rogue calc.exe is running on your PC, click here to run a Free Virus Scan.
How to recognize suspicious variants?
If calc.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 68% dangerous. The file size is 361,472 bytes.
The file is not a Windows core file. The program has no visible window.
If calc.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\, the security rating is 28% dangerous. The file size is 1,032,704 bytes.
The program has a visible window. The software has no file description. It is not a Windows system file.
Calc.exe is able to manipulate other programs.
If calc.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files", the security rating is 64% dangerous. The file size is 946,688 bytes.
Important: Some malware disguises itself as calc.exe, particularly when not located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the calc.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
Windows Calculator
not dangerous at all, windows calc.
I agree windows does have it but there's also a virus with the same name. Thanidu
100% confirmed virus. This has infected all of my computers and I don't know how to get it off. Deleted SYSTEM32 three times now and it just won't go away! lachlan burton
Calc.exe is just the Calculator, but I'm not denying a virus might be disguised as Calc.exe Bryce
It is a windows program. This is the calculator program . This can be find in "C:\Windows\System32" folder. So It isn't harmless at all. Santanu
You should see calc.exe in the task manager when there is a calculator in the desktop in this case it is clear. but if there is a process called calc.exe but you dont see any calculator, seems like a supicious malware and you should take of it. 0x01
If it’s not signed then delete Malware
System mechanic detected a Trojan in the System32 folder as calc.exe. not sure if i should remove it or leave well enough alone Ajax
Summary: Average user rating of calc.exe:
based on 13 votes with 9 user comments.
5 users think calc.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
2 users think it's probably harmless.
2 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
2 users suspect danger.
2 users think calc.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
One user is not sure about it.
Best practices for resolving calc issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with calc. 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 calc.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
Thanidu
lachlan burton
Bryce
Santanu
0x01
Malware
Ajax
Summary: Average user rating of calc.exe: based on 13 votes with 9 user comments. 5 users think calc.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 2 users think it's probably harmless. 2 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 2 users suspect danger. 2 users think calc.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. One user is not sure about it.