The genuine msdt.exe file is a software component of Microsoft Windows Operating System by Microsoft Corporation. "Msdt.exe" is Microsoft's Diagnostic Troubleshooting Wizard. It has existed as an installed tool in "C:\Windows\System32" since Windows 7. (In XP and Vista, this function was performed through the browser with an ActiveX add-on.) In 64-bit Windows systems, "C:\Windows\System32\msdt.exe" is a 64-bit version and its 32-bit counterpart is in "C:\Windows\SysWOW64". It is executed from an elevated command prompt. The computer it is run on must have Internet access. It will not run unless the user has been in contact with Microsoft Support and has been given a ten-digit passkey that can be entered when requested. It generates a CAB file containing diagnostic information about the computer to be uploaded to Microsoft Support. In some cases it is able to perform automatic troubleshooting functions. "Msdt.exe" can be used to request and download an offline version, ("MSDT-Portable.exe"), to be run on a different computer lacking Internet access. This still requires a passkey.
MsDT stands for Microsoft Diagnostic Troubleshooting Wizard
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 msdt.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: The original msdt.exe from Microsoft is an important part of Windows, but often causes problems. The file msdt.exe is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder.
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 983,040 bytes (38% of all occurrences), 343,552 bytes and 5 more variants.
It is a Windows core system file. The msdt.exe file is a trustworthy file from Microsoft.
Msdt.exe is able to record keyboard and mouse inputs.
Therefore the technical security rating is 2% dangerous; but you should also compare this rating with the user reviews.
Is msdt.exe a virus? No, it is not. The true msdt.exe file is a safe Microsoft Windows system process, called "Diagnostics Troubleshooting Wizard".
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 e.g. Trojan.Gen (detected by Symantec), and Trojan:Win64/Ropest.G (detected by Microsoft).
To ensure that no rogue msdt.exe is running on your PC, click here to run a Free Virus Scan.
How to recognize suspicious variants? If msdt.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 66% dangerous. The file size is 143,872 bytes (50% of all occurrences) or 409,600 bytes.
The file is not a Windows system file.
Msdt.exe is able to manipulate other programs, monitor applications and record keyboard and mouse inputs.
If msdt.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 2% dangerous. The file size is 446,464 bytes.
It is a Windows system file. Msdt.exe is a trustworthy file from Microsoft. The program is not visible.
Msdt.exe is able to record keyboard and mouse inputs.
Important: Some malware disguises itself as msdt.exe, particularly when not located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the msdt.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
C:\Windows\System32\msdt.exe
It appears as an update from an unknown publisher, doesn't Microsoft know its own software? phil stilliard
Summary: Average user rating of msdt.exe:
based on 10 votes with 4 user comments.
7 users think msdt.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
2 users think it's probably harmless.
One user thinks it's neither essential nor dangerous.
2 users don't grade msdt.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving msdt issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with msdt. 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 msdt.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
phil stilliard
Marc Monteron (further information)
Summary: Average user rating of msdt.exe: based on 10 votes with 4 user comments. 7 users think msdt.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 2 users think it's probably harmless. One user thinks it's neither essential nor dangerous. 2 users don't grade msdt.exe ("not sure about it").