What does the helpctr.exe file do?
The helpctr.exe process is also known as Microsoft Help and Support Center and is a part of Microsoft Windows Operating System. This software is produced by Microsoft (www.microsoft.com). An obsolete or defective version of helpctr.exe can cause problems for your computer that can range from slowness to error messages such as these:
- Microsoft Help and Support Center has stopped working. Windows is checking for a solution to the problem... (Windows 10, 8, 7)
- Microsoft Help and Support Center 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)
- helpctr.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. (Windows XP)
- Access violation at address FFFFFFFF in module helpctr.exe. Read of address 00000000.
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What you should know about helpctr.exe Microsoft Help and Support Center
helpctr.exe is part of Windows. Helpctr.exe is found in a subdirectory of C:\Windows.
Frequently occurring are file sizes such as 769,024 bytes (57% of all these files), 768,512 bytes, 786,432 bytes or, as the case may be, 785,920 bytes.
The original file by Microsoft is digitally signed. So please check the file on your computer.
For this reason, 14% of all experts consider this file to be a possible threat. The probability that it can cause harm is high.
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 helpctr.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 helpctr?
| I experienced multiple occurences on two computers when using the same keyboard. The keyboard was the problem, not a virus as I suspected. Wayne Brown | |
| OnLine Help and Remote Assistance (MS Service) KossaK | |
| I experience the same problem after installing my new keyboard, though I'm not completely sure if it is the problem. There are 10's of HelpCtr.exe running t the same time, rendering the computer not usable. I have to reset the machine. Keyboard model is CLK DX-87A. | |
| When i turn in the pc,a strange sound i hear,and when i try to open something many windows ''helpctr.exe-Application error "" open's. I can not do enything it's like '' that something '' takes all the pc ressources. :(( (further information...) Buzea Raul | |
| XP Home, Size : 769.024 Bytes. |
Summary: 5 users judge helpctr.exe to be an essential file that should not be touched. One user considers it harmless. However, one user considers this to be a suspicious process and would like to get rid of it. source: file.net
How to uninstall the program
To remove Microsoft Help and Support Center from your computer, please follow the manual instructions below or use an automatic uninstaller product.
- Click the Windows Start Button. In Windows 8, look for Control Panel.
- Click Control Panel.
- Click Uninstall a program.
- Look for the program in the list of available programs.
- Click Uninstall.
How to tell if helpctr.exe (Microsoft Help and Support Center) 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 Microsoft Help and Support Center. To do this, start "Regedit", then look under "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" > "Software" for Microsoft Help and Support Center 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 helpctr.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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