The genuine taskeng.exe file is a software component of Microsoft Windows Operating System by Microsoft Corporation. "Taskeng.exe", when located in "C:\Windows\System32", is an important component of the Windows Task Scheduler Service, but it is not itself the Service. It is the Task Scheduler Engine, part of major enhancements to the Service introduced in Windows Vista and Server 2008, including one task being able to have multiple actions, (only one before Vista). When the Task Scheduler Service, (which launches at Windows startup and executes with Local System credentials under "svchost.exe" using "schdsvc.dll" and "taskschd.dll"), determines that a task needs to start, it can launch "taskeng.exe" with a user account's credentials to start the processes needed to perform the task's actions and log the event log messages that they generate. However, if the task is set to run only if that user is actually logged in and that is not true, the Engine launch may fail.
TaskEng stands for Task Scheduler Service Engine
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 taskeng.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: The original taskeng.exe from Microsoft is an important part of Windows, but often causes problems. The taskeng.exe file is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder.
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 192,000 bytes (74% of all occurrences), 171,520 bytes and 12 more variants.
Taskeng.exe is a Windows system file. The program is not visible. The taskeng.exe file is a trustworthy file from Microsoft.
Therefore the technical security rating is 3% dangerous; however you should also read the user reviews.
Is taskeng.exe a virus? No, it is not. The true taskeng.exe file is a safe Microsoft Windows system process, called "Task Scheduler Engine".
However, writers of malware programs, such as viruses, worms, and Trojans deliberately give their processes the same file name to escape detection. Viruses with the same file name are for example Win32:VB-AAQQ [Trj] (detected by Avast), and Gen:Variant.Graftor.12860 (detected by F-Secure).
To ensure that no rogue taskeng.exe is running on your PC, click here to run a Free Virus Scan.
How to recognize suspicious variants?
If taskeng.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 34% dangerous. The file size is 468,992 bytes (33% of all occurrences), 464,384 bytes or 1,859,584 bytes.
The program is not visible. The file is a Microsoft signed file. The file is not a Windows core file.
Taskeng.exe is able to record keyboard and mouse inputs.
If taskeng.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files", the security rating is 58% dangerous. The file size is 532,480 bytes (50% of all occurrences) or 1,579,520 bytes.
The file is not a Windows system file. The program is loaded during the Windows boot process (see Registry key: Run, MACHINE\Run, User Shell Folders).
Taskeng.exe is able to manipulate other programs.
If taskeng.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 64% dangerous. The file size is 433,664 bytes.
Important: Some malware disguises itself as taskeng.exe, particularly when not located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the taskeng.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
Taskeng.exe itself may be a safe part of Windows, but the nature of what it does, makes it relevant to malware. Specifically, it manages and launches Scheduled Tasks, and thus is an integration point for malware code. "Problems with Taskeng.exe" are thus more likely to be problems with the Tasks that have been set up for it to run, including malware. CQuirke
it makes my computer hungs
This is a system file, yet a high target for malware. If your system is reporting an error concerning it, attempt to backup the file, delete it from its found location, and reboot so Windows can attempt to recreate it if it deems necessary AXEL
When 1st starting your browser if it pops up in status bar, simply go to Tool use default Browser! It's AOL Browser Which I don't like nor do I prefer to use! Laura (further information)
Only process that svchost.exe is running that Process Explorer can't identify as Microsoft's, using almost 50% of my CPU alone.
Dissapointed how Little Support from Microsoft ON such issues, Seems they dort care enough To Provider Customer Support for their Products. SAilorsaki
taskeng.exe is part of the operating system, but it fairly intrusive. One of the things it seems to do is launch updates and other scheduled tasks. Most times when I start having problems with the computer, and hear the hard drive working away, it is because this file has launched, and is trying to update my computer despite my having turned all auto updates off. Overall, I think it is intended to be part of the normal system and helpful, but I think MS got it wrong. I'm not sure if it is possible to remove it, but I've rated it as dangerous because it causes problems.
Do not delete taskeng.exe. All you need to do is get the free version of Malwarebytes on your computer and it will clean and fix it!!! If the virus keeps you from downloading it, just go to the settings in your browser and deselect the "Use Proxy Server" under Lan Settings, and it will download. Took me a couple hours but it worked great! Charles Allen
Summary: Average user rating of taskeng.exe:
based on 87 votes with 9 user comments.
43 users think taskeng.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
6 users think it's probably harmless.
9 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
8 users suspect danger.
21 users think taskeng.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
13 users don't grade taskeng.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving taskeng issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with taskeng. 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 taskeng.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
CQuirke
AXEL
Laura (further information)
SAilorsaki
Charles Allen
(further information)
Summary: Average user rating of taskeng.exe: based on 87 votes with 9 user comments. 43 users think taskeng.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 6 users think it's probably harmless. 9 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 8 users suspect danger. 21 users think taskeng.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 13 users don't grade taskeng.exe ("not sure about it").