The genuine imapi.exe file is a software component of Microsoft Windows Operating System by Microsoft Corporation. "IMAPI.exe" is Version 1.0 of the Microsoft Image Mastering API, which was introduced in Windows XP. It was implemented as a Windows service. From Windows Vista onwards, Version 2.0 has been used which is implemented as a Dynamic Link Library (DLL) and does not have an ".exe" file suffix. Version 1.0 was much simpler, only allowing an application to stage and burn a simple image of audio or data to CD-R and CD-RW devices and supporting the most basic ISO 9660 and Joliet formats for Redbook-standard audio and data disks.
IMAPI stands for Image Mastering API Version 1.0
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 imapi.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.
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Description: Imapi.exe is an important part of Windows, but often causes problems. The file imapi.exe is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder.
The file size on Windows 10/11/7 is 150,528 bytes.
The imapi.exe file is a Windows system file. The program is not visible. Imapi.exe is a Microsoft signed file.
Therefore the technical security rating is 9% dangerous, but you should also take into account the user reviews.
Important: Some malware disguises itself as imapi.exe, particularly when not located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the imapi.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
it pops up in task manager when my outlook express wont send pictures. Jeff MacGregor
when it pops up in task mngr i cant do a thing. reboot and it goes
I know it's not something I want if I cannot get any info about it
Only noticed it running on startup after that it disappeared Mike
Process Name: imapi.exe. imapi.exe description: This is the Image Mastering API used by most of the CD burning software that runs on Windows. ... Want to learn more about imapi.exe? Want to know what is imapi.exe ...
Its a image program of some kind, seems to have installed itself? Bill Gates
That its messing up my Laptop and refuses to be deleted. Pops up with drwatson in my task manager. Stephen Wilkins
I loads on startup other sites said it is part of some cd burning stuff by microsoft SpoR
Manages CD recording using Image Mastering Applications Programming Interface (IMAPI). If you stop this service, your PC will be unable to burn CDs. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start. robster
It is used for CD burn drag and drop bob
imapi.exe is the Image Mastering Applications Programming Interface for CD burning in Windows XP. thoreau (further information)
it sometimes requests access to network, i see no reason Childov Ghad
Explorer freezes when this starts. I have removed it, and explorer does not freeze. Adam Fogle
Needed for WMP11 cd burning John
Viruses definitely mask as imapi.exe. It runs everytime I try to run explorer.exe, and explorer just exits, so I cant see start menu, or desktop icons. Pesky problem. Jared
seems to be used for windows cd burning elf
It's used when ripping music to your computer, I think... Kregor
Movie maker told me to end this process and now by CD burner will not work do not delete it Mary
it pops up on Startup, like Mike stated, but for me it comes back way after startup, and when it does, my computer completely locks up and i have to reboot
when imapi spontaneously stops, my system freezes ecoandy
shut it down, burners like Nero etc.'ll work better. google IMAPI bootable/burning/startup etc. bertus
is periodically in taskmgr., sometimes w/ games, sometimes other programs. REALLY ANNOYING! uses all clock time. i end its process tree, then am ok til next time. bear
Apparent conflict with HP Digital Imaging Monitor software. Takes windows 5 times longer to load on start up after I installed the HP software from my new J6450 all-in-one. Byron Yost
Even without imapi.exe I can still burn cds using nero... noypi
pops up on windows task manager each time my dvd burner drawer opens. it opens and closes continuously by itself.
I think it's for CD burning as others have said. It shows up in your processes when you just boot your PC then disappears. demi
Imapi can be trusted but it can be Viruses.I tried to delete it but comes back like self restore Akshay
whn i right click to end process pop up window: UNABLE TO TERMINATE PROCESS with this message; the operation could not be completed; the operation is not valid for this process! weird others saying it connected to cd burning; i have someone putting a file called thumbs in my cd datas i opened one & it was filled wit this weird symbolical crap 8,000pages!!! Dr.M
Small window pop up at start up goes away and the imapi.exe goes away on task manager immediately when I access it. CJ Hendrix
its definately malware. it will stop you from running malwarebytes and r kill, both of which are essential to malware removal. i ended it on a hunch, and now suddenly both will run. sneaky malware designers will mask malware as anything nowadays Eric
for dvd burner khan
Never had it running as a process on my Windows XP until I installed InfraRecorder, which I did because my darn Roxio keep failing to burn .iso images. MrBond
Show all user comments
Summary: Average user rating of imapi.exe:
based on 36 votes with 32 user comments.
14 users think imapi.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
4 users think it's probably harmless.
6 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
6 users suspect danger.
6 users think imapi.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
10 users don't grade imapi.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving imapi issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with imapi. 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 imapi.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
Jeff MacGregor
Mike
Bill Gates
Stephen Wilkins
SpoR
robster
bob
thoreau (further information)
Childov Ghad
Adam Fogle
John
Jared
elf
Kregor
Mary
ecoandy
bertus
bear
Byron Yost
noypi
demi
Akshay
Dr.M
CJ Hendrix
Eric
khan
MrBond
Summary: Average user rating of imapi.exe: based on 36 votes with 32 user comments. 14 users think imapi.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 4 users think it's probably harmless. 6 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 6 users suspect danger. 6 users think imapi.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 10 users don't grade imapi.exe ("not sure about it").