If you ever open up your task manager and navigate to the processes tab, you will see a bunch of entries with the extension ‘exe’. While entries with application names on them tell you exactly what they are, you will also find entries with names that have no real identifying characteristics.
Let’s say you’re curious to know exactly what each entry does. In that case, head over to Exelib. This site is a database of executable programs. When you type in the name of an exe file, you get information about what that file does, where it is located, what effect does it have on your system, and how much of a threat it is to your machine.
Take svchost.exe for example. This entry in the Task Manager scans the ‘to be started’ section of your machine and creates a list of processes to launch. While this application itself does not pose a threat, it may occasionally launch a critical process.
Exelib helps you determine what executables your computer is running or possesses. While it is always good to keep track of executable files, this site can also help protect your computer. You can check new executables that have newly appeared to see if they are viruses or have spyware properties. Occasionally, you may come across an exe file that isn’t in the database. However, the database is always being updated so you can always check back later.
Do you have any special way to check what your executable files can do? How do you deal with unknown files?
Related posts:
Create executable media filesTask Manager Replacement
Bought a Computer ? Check it !
Scan Computer for password protected files
Fix Your Task Manager if it is Disabled
Check which usb devices have been connected to your computer
Hide Information in Files
Transfer Files between iPhone, iPod and Computer
8 Responses to “Check Exe Files on Your Computer”
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
-
[...] Este también un buen servicio para determinar si un .exe es un virus o malware, ayudándote de esta manera a proteger la seguridad de tu PC. [...]
-
[...] Search engine exeLibrary demistifies the EXEs running in your Task Manager to help you get to the bottom of whether or not that cryptic process actually needs to be running (and whether or not it’s malware). Just search any process when you’re unclear of its purpose in exeLibrary, and it’ll give you a detailed description of what the process generally does in return, including how to remove it if it’s harmful (similar to previously mentioned TaskList). exeLibrary is a nice stop if you’re looking to trim down your running apps and Task Manager is full of processes that read like gibberish to you. exeLibrary [via gHacks] [...]
-
[...] Search engine exeLibrary demistifies the EXEs running in your Task Manager to help you get to the bottom of whether or not that cryptic process actually needs to be running (and whether or not it’s malware). Just search any process when you’re unclear of its purpose in exeLibrary, and it’ll give you a detailed description of what the process generally does in return, including how to remove it if it’s harmful (similar to previously mentioned TaskList). exeLibrary is a nice stop if you’re looking to trim down your running apps and Task Manager is full of processes that read like gibberish to you. exeLibrary [via gHacks] [...]
-
[...] via Ghacks ] Tags: free scan, malware, virus database (No Ratings Yet) Loading … [...]
These programs won’t tell you WHAT an exe does but they will give you a lot of detailed developer level information about an exe file.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/exeinfo.html
http://www.teamcti.com/pview/prcview.htm
http://www.smidgeonsoft.prohosting.com/pebrowse-pro-file-viewer.html
I use WinPatrol if I see something suspicious or new. But this Exelib site sounds exciting, I’m bookmarking it : )
Not bad, but a search in google will give you the same result. Still something to add to the arsenal :)
Interesting. Used this site and discovered a trojan that had bypassed my antivirus.