The genuine SwUSB.exe file is a software component of Realtek Wireless LAN Utility by Realtek. Realtek Wireless LAN Utility is a configuration and compatibility toolkit that facilitates communication between Realtek Wireless LAN cards and the operating system. SwUSB.exe runs a process that allows data to be transmitted from Wireless LAN cards via a USB connection. This is not an essential Windows process and can be disabled if known to create problems.
Realtek Wireless LAN Utility is a free program offered by Realtek that downloads drivers that enable the operating system to work with installed hardware network interface controllers responsible for connecting the computer to the Internet or a local area network. This program supports the Microsoft Windows platform.
Realtek is a Taiwanese fabless semiconductor company founded in 1987. Realtek employs over 2,000 people, most of which work in research and development. The company manufactures and sells a wide variety of products based on Integrated Circuitry throughout the world. Its products broadly cover communications networks, computer peripherals and multimedia. Realtek is currently headquartered in Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
SwUSB stands for Switch Universal Serial Bus 2.0/USB3.0 for Windows
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 SwUSB.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 Switch USB2.0/USB3.0 for WinXP (version SP2+ ~ Win8.1, SP2+ ~ Win8, SP2+ ~ Win10) belongs to software unknown by Realtek (www.realtek.com).
Description: SwUSB.exe is not essential for Windows and will often cause problems. SwUSB.exe is located in the C:\Windows folder.
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 500,736 bytes (21% of all occurrences), 509,792 bytes and 16 more variants.
There is no information about the author of the file. It is not a Windows core file. The program is not visible. The file has a digital signature.
SwUSB.exe is able to record keyboard and mouse inputs.
Therefore the technical security rating is 40% dangerous; however you should also read the user reviews.
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as SwUSB.exe. Therefore, you should check the SwUSB.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
Memory leaks are caused by runSW.exe which launches SwUSB.exe. Chris
Since the above mentions is from Realtek, I can safely say this SwUSB.exe is part of RtWLan.exe or "REALTEK 11n USB Wireless LAN Utility" from the Alfa Network AWUS036NHRv2, it comes once you install the drivers for this WLAN Utility. Gabriel Velez Colón (further information)
Found this little gremling hiding in my Programs after installing a Driver Updater (Smart Driver Updater) that was not a legit copy (embarrassed smiley) I deleted it due to the fact it could be recording key strokes and other private data. I shall follow all of the tools instructions given here. Thanks so much Mark Mark Smith
As of 9/10/2015 they seem to have fixed the memory leak but SwUSB.exe still has a bad handle leak. Use Task Manager to show handles (configure columns displayed) and watch for a minute. Bruce
all i know is that SwUSB prevents windows 10 from shut down at times as it cant end the process they need to find a fix for it! mickey mjnr
I can confirm what Chris said: Memory leaks are caused by runSW.exe which launches SwUSB.exe. This couses huge memory leak in modified memory on WIN7, and when you kill runSW.exe, modified memory drops drasticly. Josip
Came with my wifi adapter drivers.
I am unsure if this is related to the RunSW.log though it seems likely because that log includes the instances when SwUSB.exe was launched. This log on my system reached over 1.5 GB! In a roundabout way this can really mess up your system. Deleting the .log file had no negative effect but after only 1 day it is already up to 50 MB again. Chris C
I installed D-LINK model DWA-182/RE wireless USB adapter on my gateway NV73 laptop on 12-04-2016, noticed the cursor blip/blue ring today, 12-05-2016, opened regedit, found the SwUsb.exe file using search,it was located in C:\Program Files and deleted it which solved my blink problem.Here is what it looked like in the registry,[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\AirPlus.exe] "Path"="C:\\Program Files (x86)\\D-Link\\DWA-182" @="C:\\Program Files (x86)\\D-Link\\DWA-182\\AirPlus.exe" per using CCleaner. hope this info is useful.Note: it appears to assist the wifi adapter in using USB2 and USB3.i am not yet sure if my d-link still works because i removed it for other reasons.it may be needed in Windows 8 but the Windows USB Drivers may be sufficient. Paul Lambert
Launched by runSW.exe. Part of a software driver by Realtek for devices using USB. Allows for data to be transmitted along USB with less latency, which is required for networking. Automatically installed by Windows Update when your computer requires it. Alex V-P (further information)
Causes probably freezings in Win7 and crashes in Win10 (less or equal memory error). Since deletion of swusb.exe and runsw.exe the Win7 runs faster and without freezings up to now (several days). The problems seems to be solved. Kurt
Causes a huge memory leak and system instability. Oz
It was a pain to remove since it will prvent some programs from running. Mewy
I'm pretty sure this was causing my wireless network adapters to disconnect/disable. Jeff
I have been battling memory leaks, memory errors, and system instability for about half a year now on my system trying everything with no luck. Google Chrome would constantly run out of memory, then the entire system would be unstable. Only a restart would temporarily solve the issue. I removed this program at the beginning of December 2020 and the system has been stable ever since, March 2021. I would advise to remove this program as it was clearly the cause of my issues and may cause you issues down the road to. Gavin S.
I recently starting using a USB External Network Adapter (BosTrend) bought from Amazon. After installing the drivers which revealed it was based on a Realtek card i began having internet connectivity problems. My PC would connect ok to the router but i would not be able to access any web pages at all, regardless of browswer. I did numerous network resets in Windows 10 and ran through a bunch of troubleshooting videos on You Tube but nothing fixed it. I did a Windows 10 Repair Upgrade from the Windows Creation Media USB thumbdrive option to see if it was a Windows Update or other Windows issue. This seemed to fix it for a day or so but then the problem returned. I did 2 more W10 Repair installs but it still came back. However upon the last 2 repairs i noticed that when the Repair process wanted to restart my PC there was a process called Switch USB preventing Windows from restarting. I also noticed that in Device Manager there was a Generic USB Hub that was returning a Port Reset Failure. I removed all USB devices except Keyboard and mouse and it disappeared. I then managed to locate both Switch USB in Task Manager and RunSW in Services.msc. I have disabled/removed all traces of these 2 files and so far my system is back to working fine, i have good internet access on all browsers. I have no evidence to suggest these files are malicious or dangerous but they certainly appear to be non-essential and can cause a variety of USB/Network related issues. I will monitor over the next few days and update if situation changes. Stu
Show all user comments
Summary: Average user rating of SwUSB.exe:
based on 18 votes with 16 user comments.
4 users think SwUSB.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
9 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
3 users suspect danger.
2 users think SwUSB.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
One user is not sure about it.
Best practices for resolving SwUSB issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with SwUSB. 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 SwUSB.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.
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User Comments
Chris
Gabriel Velez Colón (further information)
Mark Smith
Bruce
mickey mjnr
Josip
Chris C
Paul Lambert
Alex V-P (further information)
Kurt
Oz
Mewy
Jeff
Gavin S.
Stu
Summary: Average user rating of SwUSB.exe: based on 18 votes with 16 user comments. 4 users think SwUSB.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 9 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 3 users suspect danger. 2 users think SwUSB.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. One user is not sure about it.