What is Taskmgr.exe?

The genuine Taskmgr.exe file is a software component of Microsoft Windows Operating System by Microsoft Corporation.
Microsoft has used "taskmgr.exe" as the process name for the Task Manager system tool since it was introduced with Windows NT 4.0. The only genuine location is in "C:\Windows\System32". It should not be removed. Although Microsoft still uses the process name "taskmgr.exe" and calls it "Task Manager", it was significantly redeveloped for Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8. They merged the most-often-used features of Task Manager, Resource Monitor and Performance Monitor to help analyze current server performance in terms of overall server utilization, key hardware subsystems, (CPU, memory, disk and network activity), and foreground and background processes. Because "taskmgr.exe" is so important to Windows, malware often uses the same name but always in other locations. However, some malware exploits a Windows registry mechanism that assists debugging to turn off both the Task Manager and the Registry Editor ("regedit.exe") by adding subkeys under "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options".

TaskMgr stands for Windows Task Manager

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 Taskmgr.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.

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Taskmgr.exe file information

Windows Task Manager with Taskmgr — Taskmgr.exe process in Windows Task Manager

The process known as Windows Task Manager or Task Manager or Application or The Windows Task Manager or Hypophypophysism anthocyan's latinate sodwork or Task Manager Pro

belongs to software Microsoft Windows Operating System or Application or Rosinduline trichomatose gerbillus or Task Manager or Task Manager Pro

by Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) or Microsoft Windows Operating System (windows.microsoft.com) or www.microsoft.com or Hewlett-Packard Company (www.hp.com).

Description: The original Taskmgr.exe from Microsoft is an important part of Windows, but often causes problems. The Taskmgr.exe file is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 227,328 bytes (36% of all occurrences), 135,680 bytes and 53 more variants.
It is a Windows core system file. The program has a visible window. It is a Microsoft signed file. Therefore the technical security rating is 0% dangerous, however you should also read the user reviews.

Recommended: Identify Taskmgr.exe related errors

Viruses with the same file name

Is Taskmgr.exe a virus? No, it is not. The true Taskmgr.exe file is a safe Microsoft Windows system process, called "Windows Task Manager". 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 instance TROJ_GEN.R28C7KI or TROJ_GAMETHI.FPS (detected by TrendMicro), and Worm:Win32/Rebhip.A or PWS:Win32/Tibia.AK (detected by Microsoft).
To ensure that no rogue Taskmgr.exe is running on your PC, click here to run a Free Virus Scan.

How to recognize suspicious variants?

If Taskmgr.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 74% dangerous. The file size is 13,179,660 bytes (22% of all occurrences), 257,024 bytes and 12 more variants. It is not a Windows core file. The program is not visible. The program starts when Windows starts (see Registry key: Run, User Shell Folders, MACHINE\Run, RunOnce, TaskScheduler, DEFAULT\User Shell Folders). Taskmgr.exe is able to monitor applications and record keyboard and mouse inputs.
If Taskmgr.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 64% dangerous. The file size is 4,451,840 bytes (42% of all occurrences), 1,005,568 bytes, 1,605,120 bytes, 257,024 bytes or 2,085,888 bytes. The Taskmgr.exe file is not a Windows system file. Taskmgr.exe is an unknown file in the Windows folder. The program has no visible window. There is no description of the program. The program uses ports to connect to or from a LAN or the Internet. Taskmgr.exe is able to monitor applications.
If Taskmgr.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files", the security rating is 69% dangerous. The file size is 13,179,660 bytes (33% of all occurrences), 274,944 bytes, 843,184 bytes, 241,664 bytes or 59,952 bytes.
If Taskmgr.exe is located in the C:\Windows folder, the security rating is 76% dangerous. The file size is 16,896 bytes.
If Taskmgr.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\, the security rating is 100% dangerous. The file size is 4,700,160 bytes.
If Taskmgr.exe is located in the Windows folder for temporary files, the security rating is 91% dangerous. The file size is 70,656 bytes (50% of all occurrences) or 160,256 bytes.

External information from Paul Collins:
There are different files with the same name:

"Taskmgr" definitely not required. System1060 homepage hi-jacker. Note - this is not a Windows file and is found in a WindowsSystem1060 directory
"taskmgr" definitely not required. Added by the Startpage.G hijacker. Note - this is NOT the Windows Task Manager file!
"taskmgr.exe" is not required to run at start up. Windows Task Manager in Windows XP. If run from the Startup folder, the tray icon will be put to the system tray after boot. Useful to check if XP has finished running the delayed services after boot. Available via a desktop shortcut

Important: Some malware disguises itself as Taskmgr.exe, particularly when not located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the Taskmgr.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

%SystemDrive%/Users/user/AppData/Roaming/Microsoft/taskmgr/ax1.f3k is a trojan/coin miner probably a banking and password stealer as well. It's a newer virus that most likely will create 2 other files. %SystemDrive%/Users/user/AppData/Roaming/Launcher.dat used to launch god knows what else if not caught and %SystemRoot%/System32/Install.vbs used for installing some creative software to cause you grief. Kaspersky virus removal tool took care of it also the virus will do changes in the registry.
HackermeisterSupreme(IWish)

its the task manager that is used to do stuff i dunno if it runs in the background but if you open it you can end processes and make new ones
taskmgr.exe

It is the Windows Task Manager. It is what open up in order to see the taskmgr.exe file in the first place. It is completely harmless, when it's in your System32 folder. If the rare occasion happens and it's NOT found in your System32 folder, then it's most likely a virus/trojanand SHOULD BE DELETED.
Leonardo L. (further information)

Is a virus!
CaporalDxl

Windows Task Manager (Ctrl + Alt + Delete). It lets you see everything your CPU is trying to do. Great for killing unwanted programs to free up RAM - especially for older computers fighting to work in today's world. It's safe, but if it all of a sudden wants to access the internet, run a virus scan to keep it clean. I use Trend's PC Housecall. It's free, and kept my comp clean for years!
Sunny (further information)

im not able to click on taskmanager error taskmgr.exe
will

The REAL Task Manager is the CTRL+ALT+DELETE and it's located in System32. The other one is NOT in System32, it has a high CPU level, and is a trojan DISGUISED as Task Manager. DELETE any thing that says Task Manager that is NOT in System32. It can still information such as bank account numbers, passwords, and it includes stealing idenity. DELETE IT NOW!
Kat

It stands for Task Manager
Andrew

More comments can be found here:
(further information)

Summary: Average user rating of Taskmgr.exe: based on 42 votes with 9 user comments. 25 users think Taskmgr.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 4 users think it's probably harmless. One user thinks it's neither essential nor dangerous. 3 users suspect danger. 9 users think Taskmgr.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 5 users don't grade Taskmgr.exe ("not sure about it").

Best practices for resolving Taskmgr issues

A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with Taskmgr. 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 Taskmgr.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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