The genuine sapisvr.exe file is a software component of Microsoft Windows™ Operating System by Microsoft Corporation. "Sapisvr.exe" is the main executable process for Microsoft Windows Speech Recognition (WSR), since Windows Vista. It is in "C:\Windows\Speech\Common", while the multiple Dynamic Link Libraries (DLL's) that it uses are in "C:\Windows\System32\Speech\Common" and related subfolders. In Windows 10, where Cortana was introduced, WSR provides device-based speech recognition while Cortana is cloud-based. The voice recognition profile that WSR develops during its use is separate from Cortana's profiles in the cloud. When "sapisvr.exe" is started the first time it executes a setup wizard which must be completed for it to be used for command execution or text dictation from then on.
SAPIsVR stands for Microsoft Speech APIs for Voice Recognition
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 sapisvr.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: Sapisvr.exe is an important part of Windows, but often causes problems. The sapisvr.exe file is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows (usually C:\Windows\Speech\Common\).
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 44,544 bytes (40% of all occurrences), 44,032 bytes, 45,056 bytes or 51,712 bytes.
It is a Windows core system file. Sapisvr.exe is a Microsoft signed file. The software starts upon Windows startup (see Registry key: Run).
Therefore the technical security rating is 2% dangerous; but you should also compare this rating with the user reviews.
If sapisvr.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files\Common Files", the security rating is 28% dangerous. The file size is 36,864 bytes.
The sapisvr.exe file is a Windows core system file. The program has no visible window.
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as sapisvr.exe, particularly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the sapisvr.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
I was hit by this at the same time as a dozen other malware (something took down my firewall). It kept attempting to connect to the internet and run a Microsoft installer, in addition to taking almost 20MB of RAM when it boots.
this syware activates when ever you open a n microsoft program elshine
I know that it was using 98% of my space because I had accidentally clicked on the wrong item in the dropdown file menu. That turned on the voice recognition tool bar. My computer had slowed to a crawl but when I canceled the voice recognition the speed returned to normal. Barbara
i think it activates self writing program when trying to write in WORD, passwords in internet etc. Monty
I've disabled the speech recognition features in "Services" and the sapisvr.exe continues to launch 6-8X per day. I'm convinced the sapisvr.exe is removed from my computer and some malware continues to disguise itself and rewrites in several different recycler directories and other directories, e.g. prefetch, my programs, my documents. I have relentlessly tried to get rid of this it a nusance and a resource hog! Microsoft needs to step up and remedy this very vulnerable feature of XP SThompson.
This is part of Windows XP's voice recognition software. It's not malware and not a security risk. Just make a habit of noticing if the microphone icon on your toolbar is on or not.
Sometimes my computer slows to a crawl. Task Manager reports sapisvr.exe hogging 99% of my resources. Have never used speech recognition so logical conclusion is that it's malware tumble muffin
I activated my voice recognition and this thing keeps opening up and will not go away. I can still use the system but it keeps acking for a disk to be put in the drive \device\harddisk6\dr8 Richard Merrell
Part of Windows Voice Recognition code TMI
System file that's part of speech. Don't delete. It's no spyware: it's digitally signed Bob
I opened a pdf file that I had saved to a microsoft docx. When I tried to move it to another folder (keeping organized) it would not move and a pop-up window said it was open in sapisvr. The original pdf moved with no problem. I had just moved another file and it was then that I looked it up to find this webpage. I turned off my voice recognition and was able to move it. Definitely related to docx files. Ralph
I started using Speech Recognition and the problem started. I just exited from Speech Recognition and the problem has gone Mike
Guys, as pointed out in this article, malware often disguises itself as sapivsr.exe. Microsoft does not put malware on your system lol! Some of these issues people are describing, they are probably the victim of a fake sapivsr.exe file. Check where it is located, that will give you the biggest clue as to its legitimacy. If it's in the wrong location, it's a fake. Jason Neighbors
Show all user comments
Summary: Average user rating of sapisvr.exe:
based on 15 votes with 16 user comments.
7 users think sapisvr.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
One user thinks it's probably harmless.
4 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
2 users suspect danger.
One user thinks sapisvr.exe is dangerous and recommends removing it.
4 users don't grade sapisvr.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving sapisvr issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with sapisvr. 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 sapisvr.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
elshine
Barbara
Monty
SThompson.
nerd
(further information)
tumble muffin
Richard Merrell
TMI
Bob
Ralph
Mike
(further information)
Jason Neighbors
Summary: Average user rating of sapisvr.exe: based on 15 votes with 16 user comments. 7 users think sapisvr.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. One user thinks it's probably harmless. 4 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 2 users suspect danger. One user thinks sapisvr.exe is dangerous and recommends removing it. 4 users don't grade sapisvr.exe ("not sure about it").