icarus.exe is an executable file that is part of the Avast Software or AVG Technologies. It is typically located in the directory C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avast Software\Icarus\avast-vpn. This file is associated with the installation process of Avast or AVG software products.
The associated software, which includes Avast Installer, AVG Installer, and AVG TuneUp, are tools designed to protect your computer from viruses and optimize its performance. Avast and AVG are well-known antivirus software that provide real-time protection against threats. AVG TuneUp is a system optimization tool that helps to clean up junk files, improve system performance, and extend battery life.
icarus.exe is needed for the proper installation and functioning of Avast or AVG software. If you are using any of these software, you should not remove icarus.exe as it may cause problems with the software. If you are not using Avast or AVG, or if you suspect that the icarus.exe file is causing issues or is a malware, you should remove it. Always make sure to keep your antivirus software up-to-date to protect your system from potential threats.
Description: Icarus.exe is not essential for Windows and will often cause problems. The file icarus.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files\Common Files" (generally C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avast Software\Icarus\avast-vpn\ or C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avast Software\Icarus\avast-tu\).
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 6,694,224 bytes (14% of all occurrences), 6,827,776 bytes and 15 more variants.
The program has a visible window. The icarus.exe file is digitally signed. Icarus.exe is not a Windows core file. This process is launched automatically by the Windows Task Scheduler.
Icarus.exe is able to monitor applications and manipulate other programs.
Therefore the technical security rating is 13% dangerous, but you should also take into account the user reviews.
Uninstalling this variant:
You can uninstall the program Avast Software s.r.o. or AVG TuneUp, or ask the software vendor for support. Click on Avast Software s.r.o. or AVG TuneUp in Windows Control Panel (Software or Programs section) to uninstall it.
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as icarus.exe, particularly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the icarus.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
Avast updater, should be in a folder called AvastSoftware under Program Files or Program Files x86 on Windows. m
Seit der neuen Version von avast, nervt dieses Programm. Will dauernd ins Internet.ist eher als malware zu bezeichnen. Habe es entfernt, und avast funktioniert bestens. Eduard FUCHS
I know Norton 360 is asking whether I should allow it to run. I don’t have AVG. Should I be concerned? I found a folder in C:\Windows\Program Files\Common Files\Norton\Icarus\norton-av-vps\icarus. What does this executable have to do with Norton? Ian Stafford (further information)
I have avast and it was using icarus.exe in the c:\windows\temp folder. Avast said it was trusted. Jason Huggins
vyskakující okno od Avastu s žádostí o povolení aplikaci icarus.exe k přístupu na internet. snaží se připojit k adrese 28.176.160.34.bc. googleusercontent.com Otys
pop-up window from Avast asking me to allow icarus.exe to access the Internet. Trying to connect to 28.176.160.34.bc. googleusercontent.com Otys
Most of the time icarus.exe is perfectly legitimate it is the tiny "micro-updater" that Avast, AVG and Norton (Gen Digital) use to download product patches and new malware-definition files. Windows will launch it every hour or so, which is why you see repeated firewall or "this program wants to connect to the Internet" pop-ups. On those machines the file is signed by the AV vendor Alex
Summary: Average user rating of icarus.exe:
based on 8 votes with 7 user comments.
One user thinks icarus.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
2 users think it's probably harmless.
4 users suspect danger.
One user thinks icarus.exe is dangerous and recommends removing it.
One user is not sure about it.
Best practices for resolving icarus issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with icarus. 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 icarus.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
m
Eduard FUCHS
Ian Stafford (further information)
Jason Huggins
Otys
Otys
Alex
Summary: Average user rating of icarus.exe: based on 8 votes with 7 user comments. One user thinks icarus.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 2 users think it's probably harmless. 4 users suspect danger. One user thinks icarus.exe is dangerous and recommends removing it. One user is not sure about it.