The genuine powershell.exe file is a software component of Microsoft Windows by Microsoft. Microsoft Windows is an operating system. PowerShell is a configuration management and task automation framework from Microsoft. Powershell.exe is the executable file associated with PowerShell and does not pose any threat to user PCs.
PowerShell is a Microsoft configuration management and task automation framework that consists of a command line shell and a related scripting language. It has been available across platforms and is currently open-source. PowerShell allows administrators to perform administrative tasks both remotely and on local Windows systems, and was first released as an integral part of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 operating systems.
The Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company that was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975. The company is known for a few big acquisitions including LinkedIn for $26.2 billion in 2016 and Skype Technologies. The company primary offers a wide range of products such as the Windows range of operating systems, Microsoft Xbox and Surface tablets.
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 powershell.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: Powershell.exe is an important part of Windows, but often causes problems. The powershell.exe file is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows\System32 (mostly C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\).
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 452,608 bytes (36% of all occurrences), 433,152 bytes and 9 more variants.
Powershell.exe is a Windows system file. Powershell.exe is a trustworthy file from Microsoft. The program has no visible window.
Therefore the technical security rating is 5% dangerous; but you should also compare this rating with the user reviews.
If powershell.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 3% dangerous. The file size is 452,608 bytes (33% of all occurrences), 451,072 bytes, 433,152 bytes or 430,592 bytes.
Powershell.exe is a Windows system file. It is a Microsoft signed file. The program is not visible.
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as powershell.exe, particularly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the powershell.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
Huge usage resources of processor
system32 powershell windows 10
just what I found out by Googling it and finding this reference; however, in my case, it seemed to be related to a Carbonite update, since a request to approve that popped up immediately after and was referenced as being started by powershell Virginia
In the observed attacks, a malicious executable makes use of the legitimate PowerShell framework with a Base64-encoded command, which then fetches a second-stage PowerShell script from a Pastebin site. That in turn executes a third and final stage, also a PowerShell script, which unpacks lightweight shellcode. “The main goal of the shellcode is to make a trivial HTTP reverse shell,” the researchers explained. “This helps the attacker gain full control over the victim’s system.” The use of PowerShell, which is built into Windows, along with simple encoding techniques, helps obfuscate malicious activity and keep anti-virus detections at bay. Threatpost has reached out to Kaspersky Lab for additional details on the victimology of the campaigns. ANONY (further information)
Powershell is a vital program for windows to use, so DO NOT uninstall it. But, that being said, be careful if you yourself try to use it. Although it has many security guards, if you do not know EXACTLY what you are doing, you could accidentally delete some important file. I prefer not to disclose my name.
Bullguard is blocking it, saying it is malware-- TR/PShellInj.G Hard to see--may have one letter incorrect. Ruth
Summary: Average user rating of powershell.exe:
based on 4 votes with 6 user comments.
One user thinks powershell.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
One user thinks it's probably harmless.
2 users suspect danger.
2 users don't grade powershell.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving powershell issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with powershell. 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 powershell.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
Virginia
ANONY (further information)
I prefer not to disclose my name.
Ruth
Summary: Average user rating of powershell.exe: based on 4 votes with 6 user comments. One user thinks powershell.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. One user thinks it's probably harmless. 2 users suspect danger. 2 users don't grade powershell.exe ("not sure about it").