Smss.exe - what is it?
In this practical tip, we explain what the smss.exe process is about.
Smss.exe: harmless Windows process
- Smss.exe is part of Session Manager in Windows.
- More specifically, the process is responsible for starting the Winlogon.exe and Win32.exe processes. He also sets some system variables.
- The process is also responsible for waiting for the processes Winlogon.exe and Csrss.exe to finish.
- If this happens in the traditional way, the session ends and the system shuts down. If not, the smss.exe process causes the system to stop responding.
Smss.exe: Sometimes a threat
Smss.exe is quite often misused by spyware and trojans. If the process is not in your System32 folder, it could be a malicious file.
- Check that by opening Task Manager.
- Here you click on the "Processes" tab. In the list that appears, locate and right-click the smss.exe process.
- Select "Properties" in the open menu. Here you see next to "Location:" where the file is on your PC.
- If you do not find the file in the System32 folder, then check your PC with an anti-virus program such as AntiVir.
- You should also search your PC with a malware fighter. Use Spybot or Malwarebytes Anti-Malware here.
In the next practical tip we will explain how to check your PC with Spybot.