| Name | Msert.exe |
| Type | Executable File |
| Short Description | The file belongs to Microsoft Safety Scanner. |
| Symptoms | The file is located in a subfolder of the user’s profile folder. |
| Distribution Method | The .exe process may have been forgotten on the system and may be employed by malware. The program itself expires after 10 days. |
| Detection Tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware |
| User Experience | Join our forum to follow the discussion about Msert.exe. |
What Is an Executable File and Can It Be Dangerous?
As you already know, an .exe extension indicates an executable file. Some .exe files are very essential to the operating system, and others are not. What is more, certain processes can even harm the system, because they are somehow related to malware or exploited by it. It is always important to examine .exe files that you’re not acquainted with and suspect in being modified by malicious software. Hence, if you have located Msert.exe in your system and believe it may be harmful to your PC, you should proceed towards identifying the problem.
Msert.exe File and Software Specifications
The process is known as Microsoft Support Emergency Response Tool or Microsoft Safety Scanner. Microsoft Safety Scanner runs on computers with 32-bit or 64-bit editions of Windows 7, Windows Server 2003, Vista or XP. The user must be logged on as a member of the Administrators group to run the scanner. It will scan the computer whether it was started in normal or safe mode.
It belongs to the software called Microsoft Anti-Malware Signature. According to answers.microsoft.com, the program expires 10 days after it is downloaded. To run the program, the user will have to re-download it.
Process Description and Location
Even though Msert.exe is associated with Microsoft Support Emergency Response Tool, it is not essential to Windows and may cause issues on the operating system.
The msert.exe file is found in a subfolder of the user’s profile folder. According to File.net, the file size on Windows 7 and Windows XP is 13,179,660 bytes.
The file is digitally signed but is not classified as a Windows core file. Moreover, the executable can monitor applications and affect the performance of other programs. Some security researchers may even go further and define it as dangerous.
How Can I Uninstall Msert.exe?
The file can be uninstalled. For that purpose, Microsoft Anti-Malware Signature Package has to be removed. Go to Control Panel – Programs and uninstall it.
Important Security Note
As already mentioned, the .exe file is not essential to the Windows system and may have been affected by ill-intended software. Because of its location – a subfolder of “C:\Program Files” – the file can be dangerous. Furthermore, research indicates that malware such as a Trojan horse can camouflage itself as msert.exe, especially if it is located in C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder. Thus, to be completely sure that the system is not infected, a full system scan is highly recommended.
Spy Hunter scanner will only detect the threat. If you want the threat to be automatically removed, you need to purchase the full version of the anti-malware tool.Find Out More About SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool / How to Uninstall SpyHunter
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Preparation before removing Msert.exe.
Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.
- Make sure you have these instructions always open and in front of your eyes.
- Do a backup of all of your files, even if they could be damaged. You should back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats.
- Be patient as this could take a while.
- Scan for Malware
- Fix Registries
- Remove Virus Files
Step 1: Scan for Msert.exe with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by Msert.exe on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Msert.exe there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.Step 3: Find virus files created by Msert.exe on your PC.
1.For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
1: On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
2: Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.
3: Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC's screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be "fileextension:exe". After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:
N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navigation box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn't found it yet.
2.For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS's the conventional approach should be the effective one:
1: Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
2: After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.
3: After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.
Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.
Msert.exe FAQ
What Does Msert.exe Trojan Do?
The Msert.exe Trojan is a malicious computer program designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. It can be used to steal sensitive data, gain control over a system, or launch other malicious activities.
Can Trojans Steal Passwords?
Yes, Trojans, like Msert.exe, can steal passwords. These malicious programs are designed to gain access to a user's computer, spy on victims and steal sensitive information such as banking details and passwords.
Can Msert.exe Trojan Hide Itself?
Yes, it can. A Trojan can use various techniques to mask itself, including rootkits, encryption, and obfuscation, to hide from security scanners and evade detection.
Can a Trojan be Removed by Factory Reset?
Yes, a Trojan can be removed by factory resetting your device. This is because it will restore the device to its original state, eliminating any malicious software that may have been installed. Bear in mind that there are more sophisticated Trojans that leave backdoors and reinfect even after a factory reset.
Can Msert.exe Trojan Infect WiFi?
Yes, it is possible for a Trojan to infect WiFi networks. When a user connects to the infected network, the Trojan can spread to other connected devices and can access sensitive information on the network.
Can Trojans Be Deleted?
Yes, Trojans can be deleted. This is typically done by running a powerful anti-virus or anti-malware program that is designed to detect and remove malicious files. In some cases, manual deletion of the Trojan may also be necessary.
Can Trojans Steal Files?
Yes, Trojans can steal files if they are installed on a computer. This is done by allowing the malware author or user to gain access to the computer and then steal the files stored on it.
Which Anti-Malware Can Remove Trojans?
Anti-malware programs such as SpyHunter are capable of scanning for and removing Trojans from your computer. It is important to keep your anti-malware up to date and regularly scan your system for any malicious software.
Can Trojans Infect USB?
Yes, Trojans can infect USB devices. USB Trojans typically spread through malicious files downloaded from the internet or shared via email, allowing the hacker to gain access to a user's confidential data.
About the Msert.exe Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Msert.exe how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific trojan problem.
How did we conduct the research on Msert.exe?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of trojans (backdoor, downloader, infostealer, ransom, etc.)
Furthermore, the research behind the Msert.exe threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.