The genuine HControl.exe file is a software component of ATK Hotkey Utility by ASUS. ATK Hotkey Utility is a program that lets users modify the behaviour of keyboard function keys. HControl.exe runs processes necessary for the optimal functioning of the ASUS ATK Hotkey Utility. This is not an essential Windows process and can be disabled if known to create problems.
The ATK Hotkey Utility comes preinstalled on certain laptops manufactured by ASUS. The program enables users to change the behaviour of the keyboard's function (FN) keys, and even allows a combination of keypresses to trigger certain actions. This program usually runs as a background service and is run at system startup.
ASUS is a Chinese personal computer vendor that manufactures everything from desktops and laptops to mobile phones, monitors, optical storage devices, and graphics cards. In 2013, it was the world's fifth largest computer seller, in terms of sales. The company began launching graphics cards in 2005 with their initial PhysX accelerator card. ASUS was founded in Taipei in 1989 by T.H. Tung, Ted Hsu, Wayne Hsieh and M.T. Liao, all previously employed by Acer. The company is currently headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan.
HControl stands for Hardware Control
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 HControl.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: HControl.exe is not essential for the Windows OS and causes relatively few problems. HControl.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files (x86)" or sometimes in a subfolder of C:\ or in a subfolder of the user's "Documents" folder (for example C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\ATK Package\ATK Hotkey\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\ATK Hotkey\).
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 303,928 bytes (19% of all occurrences), 225,280 bytes and 22 more variants.
The program has no visible window. The HControl.exe file is not a Windows core file. The HControl.exe file is digitally signed. The software can be removed using the Control Panel's Add\Remove programs applet. The HControl.exe file is a Verisign signed file.
Therefore the technical security rating is 24% dangerous; however you should also read the user reviews.
Uninstalling this variant:
The developer Asus provides a website for help and for updates. There is also an uninstaller (Control Panel ⇒ Uninstall a Program ⇒ Asus HControl or ATK Hotkey).
If HControl.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 45% dangerous. The file size is 110,592 bytes (62% of all occurrences), 102,400 bytes and 4 more variants.
There is no description of the program. The process is loaded during the Windows boot process (see Registry key: MACHINE\Run, User Shell Folders).
The file is not a Windows system file. The program has no visible window. HControl.exe is a Microsoft signed file.
If HControl.exe is located in the C:\Windows folder, the security rating is 60% dangerous. The file size is 57,344 bytes (66% of all occurrences) or 49,152 bytes.
The program is loaded during the Windows boot process (see Registry key: MACHINE\Run, User Shell Folders).
It is not a Windows system file. The program is not visible. The HControl.exe file is an unknown file in the Windows folder.
"Hcontrol" can run at start up. Hotkeys on an ASUS Notebook. Only required if you use the additional keys
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as HControl.exe, particularly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the HControl.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
HotKeysCmds
It came installed with my sony vaio Laptop... it's supposed to enable additional keys robert
It's a Software That Enables Hotkey Commands (Programmable) Linked in Additional Keys Often External From Keyboards. Used on Notebooks Vash_T.S.
It's Also Used for OSD Commands Vash_T.S.
came also with some Samsung Notebooks... just for the Hotkeys Coalminer (further information)
After 7 months using my new Sony VAIO, something changed on my system (don't know what) and now Hcontrol.exe causes Outlook Express to open every time Windows starts up. Not harmful, but irritating nevertheless. When hcontrol.exe is disabled my hotkeys still work, as far as I can tell... chris
Empfohlen bei Asus Notebook Fred
Installed on Asus Laptops, provides short-cut keys (Function Key + Function Numbers) to useful features such as turning wireless on/off etc. Marcus Smith
I can't launch the Internet Explorer anymore - other ATK driver installed but that didn't help. Marieke
might be a hotkey driver problem... noname
nix gefährliches niemand
Sony Laptop. After upgrade to SP2 Outlook Express started automatically; now the same thing happens after adding Microsoft updates. I will disable it and see if the problem is cured. Robin M.
I have an Asus Notebook, and somehow hcontrol.exe at times uses 100% of my CPU speed, which is irritating...
I had the same problem with, and result of fix suggested for, my Sony Vaio as Chris did. It started immediately after installing XP Service Pack 2. Running msconfig startup and enabling items one at a time revealed the problem. Frank McD
not essential...unless you want the button to turn wireless on/off to work jvn
CPU spikes to 100% under certain conditions, but unsure how to replicate conditions Sir Lulz
I have it on my Asus Laptop. Sometimes it hangs and uses 100% of CPU. I keep a backup and replace it once in a while, this solves the problem for a few months. Gregoris
Alot, enough to know it's 100% trustworthy, because the Company: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC (www.asus.com) or ATK.Hcontrol.exe is a Windows file created by ASUSTek Computer. Jindra vd Paverd (further information)
Comes on some laptops to handle fn+fx keys, on screen controls, and external device controls like usb keyboards Tz
Came with my Asus laptop. Just sits there in the background, doing nothing but consume a meagre amount of RAM (0.6 MB). Fire_Snyper
After latest Windows 10 update, hcontrol.exe is consuming a high amount of CPU resources causing my ASUS G75V laptop to slow dramatically. Henabel
Required on Asus G55VW to control the function keys. After upgrade from Windows 7 to 10 HControl.exe works but consumes 100% CPU power of one CPU core. Killing it resumes to normal CPU usage, however the function keys for audio amplitude, keyboard backlight no longer work. keyboard backlight is off. little tiger
found in C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\ATK Package\ATK Hotkey\Hcontrol.exe Luyanda Tshabalala
Show all user comments
Summary: Average user rating of HControl.exe:
based on 29 votes with 26 user comments.
13 users think HControl.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
4 users think it's probably harmless.
11 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
One user thinks HControl.exe is dangerous and recommends removing it.
8 users don't grade HControl.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving HControl issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with HControl. 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 HControl.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
robert
Vash_T.S.
Vash_T.S.
Coalminer (further information)
chris
Fred
Marcus Smith
Marieke
noname
niemand
Robin M.
Frank McD
jvn
Sir Lulz
Gregoris
Jindra vd Paverd (further information)
Ian
Lo que sabe (further information)
Tz
Fire_Snyper
Henabel
little tiger
Luyanda Tshabalala
Summary: Average user rating of HControl.exe: based on 29 votes with 26 user comments. 13 users think HControl.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 4 users think it's probably harmless. 11 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. One user thinks HControl.exe is dangerous and recommends removing it. 8 users don't grade HControl.exe ("not sure about it").