The genuine msiexec.exe file is a software component of Microsoft Windows by Microsoft. Microsoft Windows is an operating system. Windows Installer is an application programming and software component of Microsoft Windows. Msiexec.exe is part of the Windows Installer utility and is used to install MSI and MSP packages, and is completely safe for your PC.
Previously known as Microsoft Installer, the Windows Installer is an important part of the Windows OS that is designed to install, maintain and remove software. The installation information is included in the installation packages, related databases and COM structured storages commonly referred to as MSI files. This utility gives the user complete control over several processes such as installing, display and logging options, and although this Windows service can be disabled, doing so may affect the services that depend on it.
Established in 1975, the Microsoft Corporation is best known for its Windows lineup of operating systems and acquisitions such as Skype Technologies and LinkedIn. This American multinational technology company develops, licenses, manufactures and supports consumer electronics, computer software, personal computers, Xbox video game consoles and Microsoft Surface tablets. Microsoft is one of the world's most most valuable companies and the largest software maker by revenue.
MsIExec stands for Microsoft Installer Executable
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 msiexec.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 msiexec.exe from Microsoft is an important part of Windows, but often causes problems. The file msiexec.exe is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder.
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 73,216 bytes (46% of all occurrences), 59,904 bytes and 25 more variants.
The process is the msiserver service: Adds, modifies, and removes applications provided as a Windows Installer (*.msi) package. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Msiexec.exe is a Windows core system file. The program is not visible. Msiexec.exe is a Microsoft signed file.
Therefore the technical security rating is 6% dangerous, but you should also take into account the user reviews.
Is msiexec.exe a virus? No, it is not. The true msiexec.exe file is a safe Microsoft Windows system process, called "Windows installer".
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 Trojan.GenericKDZ.26307 or Trojan.GenericKD.1955384 (detected by BitDefender), and Backdoor.Win32.DarkKomet.lhu or Trojan-Spy.Win32.Zbot.umtk (detected by Kaspersky).
To ensure that no rogue msiexec.exe is running on your PC, click here to run a Free Virus Scan.
How to recognize suspicious variants?
If msiexec.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 5% dangerous. The file size is 73,216 bytes (56% of all occurrences), 59,904 bytes and 9 more variants.
The program has no visible window. Msiexec.exe is a trustworthy file from Microsoft.
If msiexec.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files", the security rating is 80% dangerous. The file size is 454,656 bytes (50% of all occurrences) or 1,572,864 bytes.
The program has no visible window. It is not a Windows core file.
Msiexec.exe is able to manipulate other programs.
If msiexec.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 59% dangerous. The file size is 889,856 bytes (50% of all occurrences) or 1,188,352 bytes.
Important: Some malware disguises itself as msiexec.exe, particularly when not located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the msiexec.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.
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User Comments
My computer started working slower especially over the internet and when I scanned it, RogueKiller found "msiexec.exe" as malware. It was located in C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe.
It's used to open and run Windows Installer (.msi) files and is necessary to do this and install other Windows programs. It's usually safe if it's in C:\Windows\System32, however some particularly nasty viruses can inject malicious code into it and use it maliciously. If you're not installing a program or updates, then I'd be wary of it running in your task manager. Harrison
Ran a scan with Avast and Spybot Search and Destroy and neitehr say this file is infected oor will affect any other files. Says clean in both instances. You may have another virus or malware some where and it is infecting the installer program use Spybot and Avast ESET or any other reputable Anti Virus DO NOT USE Macafee or Norton. These are Virus in themself. Jennifer S. Case
I found it in C:\Windows\SysWOW64 And avast detects it as a threat SM
Summary: Average user rating of msiexec.exe:
based on 117 votes with 9 user comments.
68 users think msiexec.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
8 users think it's probably harmless.
13 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
10 users suspect danger.
18 users think msiexec.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
25 users don't grade msiexec.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving msiexec issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with msiexec. 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 msiexec.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.
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User Comments
Harrison
Jennifer S. Case
SM
sss
Jonáš (further information)
snowman
Ryan
(further information)
Summary: Average user rating of msiexec.exe: based on 117 votes with 9 user comments. 68 users think msiexec.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 8 users think it's probably harmless. 13 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 10 users suspect danger. 18 users think msiexec.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 25 users don't grade msiexec.exe ("not sure about it").