What does the winlogon.exe file do?
The winlogon.exe process is also known as Windows Logon Application or, as the case may be, Windows NT Logon Application and is a part of Microsoft Windows Operating System or, as the case may be, Quasar. This software is produced by Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) or, as the case may be, Coding. An outdated or faulty version of winlogon.exe can cause problems for your computer, ranging from slowness to error messages like these:
- Windows Logon Application has stopped working. Windows is checking for a solution to the problem... (Windows 11, 10, 7)
- Windows Logon Application 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)
- winlogon.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close.
- Access violation at address FFFFFFFF in module winlogon.exe. Read of address 00000000.
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What you should know about winlogon.exe Windows Logon Application
winlogon.exe is a Windows system file. Winlogon.exe is found in the C:\Windows\System32 directory.
Frequently occurring are file sizes such as 507,904 bytes (36% of all these files), 286,720 bytes as well as 33 other variants.
This particular software does not have a visible window, and does not appear on the taskbar. The file contains Microsoft's digital signature. This confirms its authenticity.
Winlogon.exe is capable of record keystrokes, modify other Windows tasks as well as supervise programs.
For this reason, 14% of all experts consider this file to be a possible threat. The probability that it can cause harm is high.
winlogon.exe is a system file used by Microsoft Windows, and appears in Windows Task Manager as a process named "Windows Logon Application." However, some viruses and Trojans use the same file name to avoid detection (such as Win32:Malware-gen (recognized by Avast), as well as Trojan.Usuge!gen3 or, as the case may be, Trojan.Bamital.B!inf2 (recognized by Symantec)).
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 winlogon.exe file has a 66% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of "C:\Users\USERNAME". In this case, the file size is usually 797,184 bytes (20% of all these files), 2,093,056 bytes, 315,392 bytes, 88,576 bytes or, as the case may be, 489,472 bytes. The winlogon file is not part of the Windows operating system. This winlogon program does not appear as a visible window, but only in Task Manager. When Windows starts, this process is automatically started at the same time (Registry: Run, MACHINE\Run, TaskScheduler, User Shell Folders). There is no internal description of the file. Winlogon.exe is capable of interpret keystrokes, Change the behavior of other applications, hide itself from other programs as well as monitor other applications.
- A winlogon.exe file has a 63% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of C:\Windows. In this case, the file size is usually 389,120 bytes (25% of all these files), 434,187 bytes, 1,185,271 bytes or, as the case may be, 331,264 bytes. The file is no part of Microsoft Windows. This particular software does not appear as a visible window, but only in Task Manager. This file has none of the usual file information, such as version number, etc. It is interesting to note that the file is placed in the Windows folder, even though it is not part of the operating system. Winlogon.exe is capable of monitor other applications as well as modify other Windows tasks.
- A winlogon.exe file has a 84% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in the C:\Windows directory. In this case, the file size is usually 93,475 bytes (50% of all these files) or, as the case may be, 159,744 bytes.
- A winlogon.exe file has a 59% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in the "C:\Program Files" directory. In this case, the file size is usually 274,432 bytes (50% of all these files) or, as the case may be, 45,056 bytes.
- A winlogon.exe file has a 79% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of "C:\Program Files". In this case, the file size is usually 57,344 bytes (50% of all these files) or, as the case may be, 3,889,152 bytes.
- A winlogon.exe file has a 48% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in the Windows Temp directory. In this case, the file size is usually 16,896 bytes.
- A winlogon.exe file has a 56% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of C:\. In this case, the file size is usually 51,712 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 winlogon.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 winlogon?
| The Windows Logon Process is responsible for managing user logon and logoff, and checks the Windows XP activation code. Must be in system32 folder! (further information...) Alex | |
| il permet d'ouvrir et fermer les sessions windows it permit to open and close session of windows Diksa | |
| Can be dangerous and can cause application error cx0005's. It hogs the index.dat file in windows and creates \??\C:\Windows\system32\winlogon.exe in Shared Access. It maybe a virus. (further information...) ladybird55 |
Summary: 93 users consider winlogon.exe essential and should not be removed. 12 users consider it harmless. However, 27 users consider this to be a suspicious process and would like to get rid of it. For this reason, 100 users have already removed winlogon.exe. source: file.net
How to uninstall the program or Quasar
To remove Windows Logon Application 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 Quasar in the list of displayed applications.
- Click the program, and then click Uninstall.
How to check if winlogon.exe (Windows Logon Application) 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 Windows Logon Application. To do this, start Regedit, then look under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > Software for: Windows Logon Application 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 winlogon.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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