The genuine sqlwriter.exe file is a software component of Microsoft SQL Server by Microsoft Corporation.
The Microsoft SQL Writer Service ("sqlwriter.exe") installs automatically when SQL Server is installed. Although a computer can have multiple instances of SQL Server, of different versions, SQL Writer is a shared service and only present once. Windows Installer always installs the latest binary in "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Shared\sqlwriter.exe". This service must be running and should not be removed if the Volume Shadow Copy (or VSS) backup service is in use. (If not using VSS for backup and restore, "sqlwriter.exe" is not needed.) It resolves the conflict that would otherwise occur because of the SQL Database Engine having database files locked with exclusive access when the Windows backup programs want to copy them. It briefly freezes I/O in a given SQL Server Database Engine instance so that data is not backed up or restored while transactions affecting it are incomplete, such as between deleting moved data in one place and writing it in another.
SQLWriter stands for SQL Server VSS Writer
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 sqlwriter.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.
The process known as SQL Server VSS Writer (version - 64 Bit) belongs to software Microsoft SQL Server (version 2016 LocalDB, 2012 Express LocalDB, 2014 Express LocalDB, 2019 LocalDB, 2016 LocalDB RC0, 2017 LocalDB) or Microsoft SQL Server VSS Writer or Microsoft VSS Writer for SQL Server (version 2014, 2016, 2019, 2012, 2022) or Microsoft SQL Server Native Client by Microsoft (www.microsoft.com).
Description: Sqlwriter.exe is not essential for the Windows OS and causes relatively few problems. The sqlwriter.exe file is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files" (normally C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Shared\).
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 131,776 bytes (14% of all occurrences), 134,336 bytes and 31 more variants.
The process is a background process, and the service name is SQLWriter. The service provides the interface to backup/restore Microsoft SQL server through the Windows VSS infrastructure.
The program is not visible. Sqlwriter.exe is digitally signed. The sqlwriter.exe file is not a Windows core file. The software can be uninstalled in the Control Panel.
Sqlwriter.exe is able to monitor applications.
Therefore the technical security rating is 12% dangerous; however you should also read the user reviews.
Recommended: Identify sqlwriter.exe related errors
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as sqlwriter.exe, particularly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the sqlwriter.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.
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with sqlwriter. 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 sqlwriter.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.
fbguard.exe acrord32.exe wrsa.exe sqlwriter.exe sascore.exe volpanlu.exe amdrsserv.exe default.html securityhealthsystray.exe rapportservice.exe secupdutilsvc.exe [all]
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User Comments
someone
Ann
CyberSeele
Albert Hattingh
Alex (further information)
Summary: Average user rating of sqlwriter.exe: based on 11 votes with 8 user comments. 6 users think sqlwriter.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.