The genuine mmc.exe file is a software component of Microsoft Windows Operating System by Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft introduced "mmc.exe", the Microsoft Management Console, in the Windows 2000 operating system and it exists in all Windows and Windows Server operating systems released since then. It is an essential operating system component and should not be removed. It resides in "C:\Windows\System32". (That is the 64-bit version, on 64-bit systems, and the 32-bit version is in "C:\Windows\SysWOW64".) It provides a central console for selecting among many "snap-ins" that individually provide highly specific control of many aspects of operation of one's local machine and of other network-accessible server and client computers. One of the most important, Computer Management, contains several others including Event Viewer, Disk Management, and Device Manager. Since version 3.0, the MMC has been a .NET Framework managed code assembly. This allows the ".msc" snap-ins created by Microsoft or third parties, (using the MMC subset of the Windows SDK), to be written in any CLS-compliant language.
MMC stands for Microsoft Management Console
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 mmc.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: The original mmc.exe from Microsoft is an important part of Windows, but often causes problems. The mmc.exe file is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder.
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 1,401,344 bytes (31% of all occurrences), 1,543,680 bytes and 29 more variants.
Mmc.exe is a Windows system file. It is a Microsoft signed file.
Mmc.exe is able to record keyboard and mouse inputs.
Therefore the technical security rating is 5% dangerous, however you should also read the user reviews.
Is mmc.exe a virus? No, it is not. The true mmc.exe file is a safe Microsoft Windows system process, called "Microsoft Management Console".
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 PE_VIRUX.S-3 or PE_VIRUX.Q-1 (detected by TrendMicro), and W32.Virut.CF (detected by Symantec).
To ensure that no rogue mmc.exe is running on your PC, click here to run a Free Virus Scan.
How to recognize suspicious variants? If mmc.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 70% dangerous. The file size is 53,384 bytes (66% of all occurrences) or 421,483 bytes.
Mmc.exe is not a Windows system file. The program is not visible. There is no information about the author of the file.
Mmc.exe is able to manipulate other programs and monitor applications.
Uninstalling this variant:
You can visit the vendor's support site or uninstall Pidgin software via Windows Control Panel/Add or Remove Programs (Windows XP) or Programs and Features (Windows 10/8/7).
If mmc.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files", the security rating is 68% dangerous. The file size is 1,462,272 bytes.
The mmc.exe file is not a Windows core file. The program is not visible.
Mmc.exe is able to record keyboard and mouse inputs.
Important: Some malware disguises itself as mmc.exe, particularly when not located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the mmc.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 is safe file as long as it is launched from C:\\Windows\\System32\\mmc.exe directory John (further information)
program" Driver Tool " when I uninstalled, put it on my PC JF
appears when defrag is running
MMC is Microsoft Management Console, a core part of the Windows operating system. It is used to host .msc snap-ins such as Computer Management, Event Viewer, Services etc. It can be found in C:\Windows\system32. On 64 bit Windows there is also a 32 bit version in C:\Windows\syswow64. Chris The Majestic
Keeps running 40-60%, slowing system down. smith
I know that this program can be used to control others on a home network without then realizing it. I would consider it non essential unless the computer is being used as part of a work group in a business setting. I have had 2 computers crash and had some indiscriminate use of minor's computers in my household to dump files that were mostly adult ads Kathy Oddie
I can't access my computer because of mmc . I am not able to delete unwanted files, and my computer is overloaded with them I absolutely despise mmc! wilma Simpson
it is Microsoft Direct Play kind of like flash but it's a very important system file Shashin Patel
Summary: Average user rating of mmc.exe:
based on 67 votes with 9 user comments.
40 users think mmc.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
2 users think it's probably harmless.
11 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
7 users suspect danger.
7 users think mmc.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
7 users don't grade mmc.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving mmc issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with mmc. 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 mmc.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
John (further information)
JF
Chris The Majestic
smith
Kathy Oddie
wilma Simpson
Shashin Patel
(further information)
Summary: Average user rating of mmc.exe: based on 67 votes with 9 user comments. 40 users think mmc.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 2 users think it's probably harmless. 11 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 7 users suspect danger. 7 users think mmc.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 7 users don't grade mmc.exe ("not sure about it").