What does the hl.exe file do?
The hl.exe process is also known as Half-Life Launcher and is a part of Steam Half-Life Launcher or, as the case may be, Counter-Strike (Version 1.6 v23b). This software is produced by Valve (www.valvesoftware.com). An obsolete or defective version of hl.exe can cause problems for your computer that can range from slowness to error messages such as these:
- Half-Life Launcher has stopped working. Windows is checking for a solution to the problem... (Windows 10, 8, 7)
- Half-Life Launcher 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)
- hl.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close.
- Access violation at address FFFFFFFF in module hl.exe. Read of address 00000000.
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What you should know about hl.exe Half-Life Launcher
hl.exe is not part of Windows, but it is important nonetheless. Hl.exe is found in a subdirectory of "C:\Program Files".
The file size is 81,920 bytes.
This file was developed by a so-called third party provider - and not by Microsoft.
Hl.exe is capable of log keyboard entries.
For this reason, 23% of all experts consider this file to be a possible threat. The probability that it can cause harm is high.
A hl.exe file has a 51% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in in a subdirectory of the "My Documents" folder. In this case, the file size is usually 86,077 bytes (50% of all these files) or, as the case may be, 86,175 bytes. The hl file does not come from Microsoft and is not part of the operating system. The application is receiving or sending data on the LAN (your local network) or on the Internet.
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 hl.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 hl?
| Well most likely it's one of your games from Sierra. Definiteley not dangerous. Kev | |
| not dangerous at all, its a game from SteamValve. (further information...) Matlo | |
| hl.exe is a part of the Half Life series of computer games, and is a main executable of the series. Mike | |
| Its a game CS 1.6 Radu |
Summary: 4 users judge hl.exe to be an essential file that should not be touched. source: file.net
How to uninstall Steam Half-Life Launcher or Counter-Strike
To remove Half-Life Launcher 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 Steam Half-Life Launcher or Counter-Strike in the list of displayed applications.
- Click the program, and then click Uninstall.
How to tell if hl.exe (Half-Life Launcher) 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 Half-Life Launcher. To do this, start "Regedit", then look under "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" > "Software" for Half-Life Launcher 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 hl.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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