The genuine Start.exe file is a software component of Sandboxie by Invincea. Sandboxie is a sandbox-based isolation application. Start.exe launches the Sandboxie program. This is not an essential Windows process and can be disabled if known to create problems.
Sandboxie creates a virtual sandbox (an isolated environment in which applications can operate without permanently modifying the local drive). Sandboxie can be used to safely test untrusted programs or for surfing the Internet. The program was originally authored by Ronen Tzur. Sandboxie supports the Windows platform.
Invincea is an American company that develops security solutions for digital data. The company was founded in 2006 by Anup Ghosh with major investments from major firms such as Dell Ventures, New Atlantic Ventures, and Grotech Ventures. Invincea is currently headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, USA.
Start stands for Sandboxie Starter
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 Start.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: Start.exe is not essential for Windows and will often cause problems. The Start.exe file is located in a subfolder of "C:\" (mostly C:\Users\Public\ or C:\Program Files\Sandboxie\).
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 802,816 bytes (21% of all occurrences), 122,368 bytes and 11 more variants.
The file is not a Windows core file. There is no information about the author of the file.
Start.exe is able to record keyboard and mouse inputs and monitor applications.
Therefore the technical security rating is 47% dangerous, however you should also read the user reviews.
Uninstalling this variant:
If problems with HideME.ru VPN or LOGO!Soft Comfort occur, you can remove the entire program using Windows Control Panel or go to the support area [1][2] of the Hideme website.
If Start.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 73% dangerous. The file size is 13,179,660 bytes (11% of all occurrences), 640,383 bytes and 7 more variants.
There is no file information. The file is not a Windows core file. The program has no visible window.
Start.exe is able to monitor applications, manipulate other programs, record keyboard and mouse inputs and hide itself.
If Start.exe is located in C:\, the security rating is 51% dangerous. The file size is 13,179,660 bytes (87% of all occurrences) or 174,648 bytes.
There is no information about the author of the file. The Start.exe file is not a Windows core file. The program is not visible.
Start.exe is able to monitor applications, record keyboard and mouse inputs and manipulate other programs.
If Start.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\, the security rating is 23% dangerous. The file size is 1,593,776 bytes (40% of all occurrences), 2,418,776 bytes, 2,397,152 bytes or 6,656 bytes.
If Start.exe is located in the Windows folder for temporary files, the security rating is 73% dangerous. The file size is 10,752 bytes (50% of all occurrences) or 11,264 bytes.
If Start.exe is located in the C:\Windows folder, the security rating is 100% dangerous. The file size is 368,161 bytes.
If Start.exe is located in a subfolder of Windows folder for temporary files, the security rating is 14% dangerous. The file size is 5,695,384 bytes.
If Start.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 36% dangerous. The file size is 42,496 bytes.
External information from Paul Collins: There are different files with the same name:
"Secret-Crush" definitely not required. Hijacker that may reset your browser's home page and/or search settings to point to undesired sites
"start": ??
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as Start.exe, particularly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder, for example Trojan.MSIL.BitMiner.abv or Trojan.MSIL.Zapchast.aawla (detected by Kaspersky), and Trojan:Win32/Tiggre!rfn or PUA:Win32/Presenoker (detected by Microsoft). Therefore, you should check the Start.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
Spyware/Virus/Trojaner - Gefahr
Error message when trying to load Grammar Rocks Tomi Deevers
Installed as launcher for Sandboxie service Rich M (Richm470 at y'hoo) (further information)
Tagged by Avast as generic rootkit.
it comes up when you start your computer asking to install anti-spyware software, when infact the program itself is the spyware Me
It is part of the well-known Sandboxie application (a program to secure the running of applications) when starting sandbox Eric de Jong (further information)
It's a process installed with Sandboxie, but should not be running. Gerald Savvin (further information)
start.exe is running under processes in task manager yet I have run about 10 different spy and malware programs and none of them picks up or shows start.exe, including those recommended here. Peter
windows update
RSTGDGT
device manager lea
Summary: Average user rating of Start.exe:
based on 29 votes with 11 user comments.
12 users think Start.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
5 users think it's probably harmless.
4 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
4 users suspect danger.
4 users think Start.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
6 users don't grade Start.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving Start issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with Start. 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 Start.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
Tomi Deevers
Rich M (Richm470 at y'hoo) (further information)
Me
Eric de Jong (further information)
Gerald Savvin (further information)
Peter
lea
Summary: Average user rating of Start.exe: based on 29 votes with 11 user comments. 12 users think Start.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 5 users think it's probably harmless. 4 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 4 users suspect danger. 4 users think Start.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 6 users don't grade Start.exe ("not sure about it").