What is java.exe?

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Java.exe file information

The process known as Java™ Platform SE binary or OpenJDK Platform binary or Node.js: Server-side JavaScript or 7z Setup SFX or SyAM Desktop Monitor Central (version 3.10) or Java Control Panel or Client.exe or Zeallsoft Super Webcam Recorder Setup

belongs to software Java™ Platform (version SE 6, SE 8, SE 7) or OpenJDK Platform (version 8, 7, 11, 13) or Node.js or 7-Zip or sysmagr or Java Executive by Jar2Exe(Created by (version J2E 1.8 Trial, RegExLab.com) or SyAM Desktop Monitor Central or Visualware MyConnection Server (version (#70365c4))

by Oracle (www.oracle.com) or Sun Microsystems (www.sun.com) or Node.js or Eclipse Adoptium or N/A or Igor Pavlov (www.7-zip.org) or AdoptOpenJDK or kjt.

Description: Java.exe is not essential for the Windows OS and causes relatively few problems. Java.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\" (in most cases C:\ or C:\ProgramData\Oracle\Java\). Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 135,168 bytes (11% of all occurrences), 13,179,660 bytes and 59 more variants.  
Java.exe is not a Windows core file. The process listens for or sends data on open ports to a LAN or the Internet. The program has no visible window. The file has a digital signature. Java.exe is able to monitor applications. Therefore the technical security rating is 46% dangerous; however you should also read the user reviews.

Recommended: Identify java.exe related errors

• If java.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 69% dangerous. The file size is 13,179,660 bytes (39% of all occurrences), 40,960 bytes and 21 more variants. The java.exe file is not a Windows core file. The program is not visible. The application uses ports to connect to or from a LAN or the Internet. The file has a digital signature. Java.exe is able to monitor applications and manipulate other programs.
• If java.exe is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder, the security rating is 45% dangerous. The file size is 135,168 bytes (38% of all occurrences), 145,184 bytes and 4 more variants. The program is not visible. It is not a Windows system file. The process uses ports to connect to or from a LAN or the Internet. The file is a Verisign signed file. It is digitally signed.
• If java.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 48% dangerous. The file size is 174,056 bytes (22% of all occurrences), 135,168 bytes and 5 more variants.
• If java.exe is located in the C:\Windows folder, the security rating is 71% dangerous. The file size is 4,257,792 bytes (50% of all occurrences), 4,323,328 bytes, 207,360 bytes or 4,289,024 bytes.
• If java.exe is located in the Windows folder for temporary files, the security rating is 72% dangerous. The file size is 24,064 bytes (40% of all occurrences), 298,496 bytes, 565,760 bytes or 518,656 bytes.
• If java.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\, the security rating is 72% dangerous. The file size is 219,136 bytes (66% of all occurrences) or 515,584 bytes.
• If java.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows\System32, the security rating is 34% dangerous. The file size is 532,680 bytes (50% of all occurrences) or 593,143 bytes.
• If java.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files\Common Files", the security rating is 34% dangerous. The file size is 276,312 bytes.
• If java.exe is located in a subfolder of Windows folder for temporary files, the security rating is 84% dangerous. The file size is 393,728 bytes.

External information from Paul Collins:

• "JavaVM" definitely not required. Added by the MYDOOM.M or MYDOOM.N WORMS! Note - not to be confused with the valid Windows "java.exe" which resides in C:\Windows\System (Win9x/Me), C:\Winnt\System32 (WinNT/2K) or C:\Windows\System32 (WinXP) as this resides in C:\Windows or C:\Winnt

Important: Some malware camouflages itself as java.exe, particularly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder, for example Backdoor:Win32/Xtrat.A or VirTool:Win32/VBInject.gen!GQ (detected by Microsoft), and Trojan.Win32.Inject.bumg or Trojan.Win32.VBKrypt.difl (detected by Kaspersky). Therefore, you should check the java.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.