The process "csrss.exe" sometimes appears in the Windows 10 Task Manager. Due to the cryptic-seeming name, this file makes one or the other user a bit worried. But is this software really harmful?
What is the csrss.exe process?
The csrss.exe file is part of the Windows 10 system files. This is why you will usually always find at least one process with this name in the Task Manager. csrss stands for "Client / Server Runtime Subsystem" or in German "Client-Server Runtime Process". The file ensures that the application windows are set up and managed correctly. In addition, csrss.exe also ensures that parts of other Windows processes and running applications are started and stopped.
Is the csrss.exe file a virus?
Some malware, such as the "Nimda" virus or the Netsky worm, can hide behind this actually quite harmless process. It is relatively easy to check whether it is malware:
- Find the process in the Task Manager under " Processes " and right-click on it.
- Then select " Open file path ". Now you should ideally be in the folder " C: \ Windows \ System32 ".
- If this is not the case, you must run an anti-virus scan immediately. The chances are high that you have caught a Trojan horse or something similar. In most cases, however, such malware can also be removed again.
Can I just end the process or delete the software from my computer?
Under no circumstances should you just delete the file. Usually it is a process that belongs to the system. If you were to delete the file just like that, the stability of Windows 10 could be compromised. If the process found is malware, your anti-virus system will take care of removing the harmful exe files..
