What does the csrss.exe file do?
The csrss.exe process is also known as Client Server Runtime Process or, as the case may be, Microsoft Malware Protection Command Line Utility and is a part of Microsoft Windows Operating System or, as the case may be, hla. This software is produced by Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) or, as the case may be, It. An obsolete or defective version of csrss.exe can cause problems for your computer that can range from slowness to error messages such as these:
- Client Server Runtime Process has stopped working. Windows is checking for a solution to the problem... (Windows 10, 8, 7)
- Client Server Runtime Process 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 10, 8, 7)
- csrss.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close.
- Access violation at address FFFFFFFF in module csrss.exe. Read of address 00000000.
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What you should know about csrss.exe Client Server Runtime Process
csrss.exe is a Windows system file. The file csrss.exe is found in the C:\Windows\System32 directory.
Frequently occurring are file sizes such as 6,144 bytes (94% of all these files), 7,680 bytes as well as 6 other variants.
This file is part of the operating system. This file contains Microsoft's digital signature. This confirms its authenticity. The application does not have a visible window, and does not appear on the taskbar.
For this reason, 3% of all experts consider this file to be a possible threat. The probability that it can cause harm is high.
csrss.exe is a system file used by Microsoft Windows, and appears in Windows Task Manager as a process named "Client Server Runtime Process." However, some viruses or Trojans use the same file name in order to remain undetected (for example Mal/VB-EM (recognized by Sophos), as well as Trojan.Generic.4347776 (recognized by F-Secure)).
To be really safe, you should scan your computer with two different anti-virus engines. You can use a free Anti-Malware scanner for this purpose.
Objectionable files with the same file name have the following characteristics:
- A csrss.exe file has a 69% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of C:\Windows. In this case, the file size is usually 3,079,680 bytes (5% of all these files), 4,938,240 bytes as well as 48 other variants. The csrss file is no part of Microsoft Windows. This file does not contain any exact product information, as would normally be expected today. The program executes in the background, and can only be terminated using Windows Task Manager. This csrss program is initiated as part of Windows start-up (Registry: Run, TaskScheduler, MACHINE\Run, win.ini, Userinit, Winlogon\Shell). This csrss program is connected to a server on the Internet or in your local network. Csrss.exe is capable of monitor other applications as well as Change the behavior of other applications.
- A csrss.exe file has a 70% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of "C:\Users\USERNAME". In this case, the file size is usually 143,360 bytes (5% of all these files), 199,010 bytes as well as 30 other variants. The csrss file is not part of the Windows operating system. Windows starts the process each time that the computer boots up (Registry: Run, TaskScheduler, MACHINE\Run, win.ini, Userinit, Winlogon\Shell). This file does not contain any exact product information, as would normally be expected today. This csrss program does not have a visible window, and does not appear on the taskbar. Csrss.exe is capable of supervise programs as well as Change the behavior of other applications.
- A csrss.exe file has a 66% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of "C:\Program Files". In this case, the file size is usually 794,112 bytes (18% of all these files), 371,712 bytes as well as 8 other variants.
- A csrss.exe file has a 68% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in the C:\Windows directory. In this case, the file size is usually 1,559,319 bytes (30% of all these files), 2,531,840 bytes as well as 6 other variants.
- A csrss.exe file has a 80% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in in a subdirectory of the Windows Temp folder. In this case, the file size is usually 13,179,660 bytes.
- A csrss.exe file has a 48% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of C:\. In this case, the file size is usually 319,496 bytes (33% of all these files), 1 bytes or, as the case may be, 184,320 bytes.
- A csrss.exe file has a 92% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of C:\Windows\System32. In this case, the file size is usually 122,880 bytes (50% of all these files) or, as the case may be, 353,280 bytes.
- A csrss.exe file has a 64% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in the Windows Temp directory. In this case, the file size is usually 122,880 bytes.
- A csrss.exe file has a 62% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers directory. In this case, the file size is usually 152,125 bytes.
- A csrss.exe file has a 36% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of "C:\Program Files\Public Documents". In this case, the file size is usually 320,265 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 csrss.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 csrss?
| Windows Client/Server Runtime Server Subsystem Alex | |
| can also be put in C:\\Windows directory by the W32.Netsky.AB worm, an SMTP mass-mailer (further information...) | |
| multiple cmd.exe windows popups up at a particular time once a week and the CSRSS.exe in monitor graph shows 98% process time. It goes down if you start killing the popups. It does harm the applications running, however, there are so many cmd windows popuped and you need to close them. There is sql client request that keeps on running everytime, but once a week some thing happens and multiple cmd windows pop up. There is no other csrss.exe in c:\windows\system32 and as there is no i386 folder because it is on windows server 2008. I hope there is no virus on the system if that is cause from above various discussions. (further information...) |
Summary: 141 users judge csrss.exe to be an essential file that should not be touched. 26 users consider it harmless. However, 66 users consider this to be a suspicious process and would like to get rid of it. For this reason, 109 users have already deleted csrss.exe. source: file.net
How to uninstall the program or hla
To remove Client Server Runtime Process from your computer, please follow the manual instructions below or use an automatic uninstaller product.
- Click the Windows Start Button. You find it in the lower left corner of the taskbar.
- Type the word uninstall.
- Click Add or remove programs.
- Now locate the program or hla in the list of displayed applications.
- Click the program, and then click Uninstall.
How to tell if csrss.exe (Client Server Runtime Process) was uninstalled cleanly
After uninstalling, restart your computer. Then start Windows Explorer and see if there is still a folder with the name of the software under C:\Program Files. Be sure to check the Registry as well for remnants of Client Server Runtime Process. To do this, start "Regedit", then look under "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" > "Software" for Client Server Runtime Process or the name of the producer. Always keep in mind that only a computer professional should ever directly delete entries in the Windows Registry.
What to do if a program does not uninstall
The easiest way to remove any kind of software cleanly and accurately is to use an uninstaller tool. Because the uninstaller automatically creates a backup, there is no risk of anything going wrong.
Last but not least
If Windows not working quite right for you, or if startup is taking a long time, or csrss.exe is causing problems for you, a good Windows diagnostic tool may very well 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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