What does the alg.exe file do?
The alg.exe process is also known as Application Layer Gateway Service or, as the case may be, CPAX20 and is a part of Microsoft Windows Operating System or, as the case may be, CPAX20. This software is produced by Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) or, as the case may be, SornSoft. An outdated or faulty version of alg.exe can cause problems for your computer, ranging from slowness to error messages like these:
- Application Layer Gateway service has stopped working. Windows is checking for a solution to the problem... (Windows 11, 10, 7)
- Application Layer Gateway service has stopped working. A problem caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close the program and notify you if a solution is available. (Windows 11, 10, 7)
- alg.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close.
- Access violation at address FFFFFFFF in module alg.exe. Read of address 00000000.
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What you should know about alg.exe Application Layer Gateway service
alg.exe is a Windows system file. Alg.exe is found in the C:\Windows\System32 directory.
Frequently occurring are file sizes such as 44,544 bytes (96% of all these files), 59,392 bytes, 53,248 bytes, 71,680 bytes or, as the case may be, 72,192 bytes.
It is the service "ALG".
This alg.exe process does not have a visible window, and does not appear on the taskbar. Alg.exe contains Microsoft's digital signature. This confirms its authenticity. This alg.exe process is connected to a server on the Internet or in your local network.
Alg.exe is capable of send data out to the Internet.
For this reason, 12% of all experts consider this file to be a possible threat. The probability that it can cause harm is high.
alg.exe is a system file used by Microsoft Windows, and appears in Windows Task Manager as a process named "Application Layer Gateway service." However, some viruses and Trojans use the same file name to avoid detection (for example WS.Reputation.1 or, as the case may be, Trojan.ADH (recognized by Symantec), as well as PAK_Generic.001 or, as the case may be, BKDR_AGENT.AVEM (recognized by TrendMicro)).
For better security, scan your computer with two different antivirus engines. You can use free antivirus software for this purpose.
Objectionable files with the same file name have the following characteristics:
- A alg.exe file has a 100% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in the "C:\Program Files\Public Documents" directory. In this case, the file size is usually 33,205 bytes. The program appears as a window on the desktop. It was developed by a so-called third party provider - and not by Microsoft. Windows starts the process each time that the computer boots up (Registry: MACHINE\Run, User Shell Folders).
- A alg.exe file has a 74% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of "C:\Users\USERNAME". In this case, the file size is usually 128,512 bytes. This file does not supply any version information or other description. This process does not appear as a visible window, but only in Task Manager. This file was developed by a so-called third party provider - and not by Microsoft. This alg.exe process is connected to a server on the Internet or in your local network.
- A alg.exe file has a 64% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of C:\. In this case, the file size is usually 184,832 bytes.
If you see this file on your hard drive or in Windows Task Manager, please make sure that it is not a malicious variant. It's a fact that many trojans try to cloak their true identity by calling themselves alg.exe. With the above information or by using tools like Security Task Manager you can determine if, in your case, the file is an undesirable variant.
What do other computer users say about alg?
| Application Layer Gateway Service Alex | |
| file is located in the c:\windows\System32 folder nithin | |
| If you delete it from C:\WINDOWS\system32 it reappear in 5-6 seconds. It's safe like Windows... (further information...) Tommy Tomorrow |
Summary: 183 users consider alg.exe essential and should not be removed. 34 users consider it harmless. However, 61 users consider this to be a suspicious process and would like to get rid of it. For this reason, 73 users have already removed alg.exe. source: file.net
How to uninstall the program or CPAX20
To remove Application Layer Gateway service from your computer, please follow the manual instructions below.
- Click the Windows Start Button. You can find it in the lower-left corner of the taskbar.
- Type 'uninstall'.
- Click Add or remove programs.
- Now locate the program or CPAX20 in the list of displayed applications.
- Click the program, and then click Uninstall.
How to check if alg.exe (Application Layer Gateway service) was uninstalled completely
After uninstalling, restart your computer. Then open Windows Explorer and check if a folder with the software name still exists under C:\Program Files. Also, check the Registry for remnants of Application Layer Gateway service. To do this, start Regedit, then look under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > Software for: Application Layer Gateway service or the name of the producer. Keep in mind that only a computer professional should delete entries in the Windows Registry directly.
Last but not least
If Windows is not working properly, startup is slow, or alg.exe is causing problems, a good Windows diagnostic tool may help. This is especially effective when it comes to older computers that have accumulated vast quantities of "garbage data" as the result of many software installs and uninstalls.
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