Most antivirus programs identify sps.exe as malware—e.g. Microsoft identifies it as PUA:Win32/Spigot, and Kaspersky identifies it as not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Widgi.ar.
The sps.exe file is a software component of Spigot Toolbar by Spigot. The Spigot Toolbar is a browser add-on that displays advertisements. Sps.exe runs the main process for the Spigot Toolbar. This is a known PUP (potentially unwanted program). Removal is recommended.
The Spigot Toolbar installs itself on to Internet Explorer and redirect the browser to Yahoo.com as Spigot receives a monetary payment for each search a user performs through the toolbar. The Spigot Toolbar also prevents other programs from modifying the web browsers search and home page settings. This product is typically bundled with various third-party products.
Spigot is a developer of add-ons and extensions for browsers. The company also develops mobile applications and monetization components for software developers. Spigot was founded in 2008 in Silicon Valley, California, USA. It has branch offices in eastern Europe and on the western coast of the US with customers and partners located worldwide.
SpS stands for Spigot Service
The free file information forum can help you find out how to remove it. If you have additional information about this file, please leave a comment or a suggestion for other users.
Description: Sps.exe is not essential for the Windows OS and causes relatively few problems. Sps.exe is located in the Windows folder for temporary files.
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 548,432 bytes (25% of all occurrences), 878,136 bytes and 5 more variants.
The process has no file description. Sps.exe is not a Windows system file. The program is loaded during the Windows boot process (see Registry key: Run).
The program has no visible window.
Sps.exe is able to record keyboard and mouse inputs and monitor applications.
Therefore the technical security rating is 87% dangerous; however you should also read the user reviews.
If sps.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files", the security rating is 90% dangerous. The file size is 2,944,144 bytes (25% of all occurrences), 3,047,096 bytes, 2,655,888 bytes or 5,037,480 bytes.
The process listens for or sends data on open ports to a LAN or the Internet. Sps.exe is not a Windows core file. The program has no visible window. Sps.exe is digitally signed. Sps.exe is a file with no information about its developer.
Sps.exe is able to connect to the Internet, record keyboard and mouse inputs and monitor applications.
Uninstalling this variant:
If problems with sps.exe occur, you may also do the following: 1) remove the entire program CLEVERCONTROL LLC using Windows Control Panel 2) turn to the software developer, Clevercontrol, for advice.
If sps.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 82% dangerous. The file size is 846,904 bytes (33% of all occurrences), 682,688 bytes or 519,914 bytes.
The software starts when Windows starts (see Registry key: Run).
The sps.exe file is not a Windows system file. There is no information about the author of the file. The program has no visible window.
Sps.exe is able to record keyboard and mouse inputs and monitor applications.
Important: You should check the sps.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
This is the Secure Elements, Inc. security sensor Scott Carpenter (further information)
Summary: Average user rating of sps.exe:
based on 1 vote with 1 user comment.
One user thinks sps.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
Best practices for resolving sps issues
The following programs have also been shown useful for a deeper analysis: ASecurity Task Manager examines the active sps process on your computer and clearly tells you what it is doing. A good Bantivirus tool detects whether the sps.exe file on your PC might be malware slowing down your system. Such unwanted programs are often not classified as viruses by other antivirus software and therefore go undetected.
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding PC trouble. 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 restore the original performance and remove unnecessary programs, you can 8reset your PC. Your personal files will remain intact, but any programs you installed will need to be reinstalled.
Score
User Comments
Scott Carpenter (further information)
Summary: Average user rating of sps.exe: based on 1 vote with 1 user comment. One user thinks sps.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.