What does the smss.exe file do?

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What you should know about smss.exe Windows NT Session Manager

smss.exe is a Windows system file. The file smss.exe is found in the C:\Windows\System32 directory. Frequently occurring are file sizes such as 50,688 bytes (80% of all these files), 64,000 bytes as well as 9 other variants.
The smss file is part of the operating system. The program executes in the background, and can only be terminated using Windows Task Manager. To verify its trustworthiness, Microsoft has provided it with an embedded certificate. For this reason, 5% of all experts consider this file to be a possible threat. The probability that it can cause harm is high.

smss.exe is a system file used by Microsoft Windows, and appears in Windows Task Manager as a process named "Windows NT Session Manager." However, some viruses or Trojans use the same file name in order to remain undetected (e.g. BKDR_SDBOT.TK or, as the case may be, TROJ_GEN.R1CC6KS (recognized by TrendMicro), as well as Trojan-Spy.Win32.Agent.baow or, as the case may be, Backdoor.Win32.SdBot.pqv (recognized by Kaspersky)).
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 smss.exe file has a 74% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of C:\Windows. In this case, the file size is usually 161,792 bytes (9% of all these files), 1,339,392 bytes as well as 16 other variants. The smss file is not part of the Windows operating system. It is interesting to note that the file is placed in the Windows folder, even though it is not part of the operating system. This smss program does not have a visible window, and does not appear on the taskbar. The smss file does not supply any version information or other description. Smss.exe is capable of track other applications, log keyboard entries, hides its presence from system tools as well as modify other Windows tasks.
• A smss.exe file has a 76% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in the C:\Windows directory. In this case, the file size is usually 159,841 bytes (20% of all these files), 627,592 bytes as well as 7 other variants. It does not come from Microsoft and is not part of the operating system. Smss.exe is not a Windows system file, but it is nontheless located in the C:\Windows folder. The program executes in the background, and can only be terminated using Windows Task Manager. There is no internal description of the file. This smss program is receiving or sending data on the LAN (your local network) or on the Internet. Smss.exe is capable of monitor other applications, record keystrokes as well as modify other Windows tasks.
• A smss.exe file has a 51% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of "C:\Program Files". In this case, the file size is usually 3,268,608 bytes (22% of all these files), 32,086 bytes as well as 6 other variants.
• A smss.exe file has a 80% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of C:\Windows\System32. In this case, the file size is usually 223,232 bytes (22% of all these files), 114,688 bytes as well as 6 other variants.
• A smss.exe file has a 65% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of "C:\Users\USERNAME". In this case, the file size is usually 196,608 bytes (22% of all these files), 60,252 bytes as well as 6 other variants.
• A smss.exe file has a 58% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers directory. In this case, the file size is usually 40,101 bytes (25% of all these files), 67,584 bytes as well as 4 other variants.
• A smss.exe file has a 70% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of C:\Windows\System32\drivers. In this case, the file size is usually 86,016 bytes.
• A smss.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 130,690 bytes.
• A smss.exe file has a 42% 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 240,128 bytes.
• A smss.exe file has a 100% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in the "C:\Program Files" directory. In this case, the file size is usually 112,099 bytes.
• A smss.exe file has a 66% certainty of being dangerous if it is found on C:\. In this case, the file size is usually 184,320 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 smss.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 smss?

Summary: 90 users judge smss.exe to be an essential file that should not be touched. 13 users consider it harmless. However, 32 users consider this to be a suspicious process and would like to get rid of it. For this reason, 94 users have already deleted smss.exe. source: file.net

How to uninstall the program or Loader

To remove Windows NT Session Manager from your computer, please follow the manual instructions below or use an automatic uninstaller product.

1. Click the Windows Start Button. In Windows 8, look for Control Panel.
2. Click Control Panel.
3. Click Uninstall a program.
4. Look for the program or Loader in the list of available programs.
5. Click Uninstall.

How to tell if smss.exe (Windows NT Session Manager) 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 Windows NT Session Manager. To do this, start "Regedit", then look under "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" > "Software" for Windows NT Session Manager 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 smss.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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