The smss.exe process helps to initialize user system variables. However, sometimes it consumes too many resources on your computer. This is how you can solve the problem or check if it is a virus.
What is smss.exe?
smss.exe stands for session management subsystem. It is responsible for initializing system variables and starting user sessions. The MS-DOS driver names are similar to LPT1 and COM. Ideally, it calls the Win32 shell subsystem and runs during the Windows login process.
In addition, the process is initialized by the system process, reflecting multiple activities such as running the Windows logon program (winlogon.exe), Win32 subsystem (csrss.exe) thread, setting system variables, and so on.
Is SMS.exe a virus?
Since this process exists in all Win NT-based smss.exe systems, it is vulnerable to many viruses. Some of these Trojan horse viruses use the same name to confuse users.
The following are viruses with the same file name reported by users. You can check if they are on your computer:
- bed bugs
- Dream advertising
- resource
- suggestion
- IRC.Flood.F
- Aladdinz
How to check if SMS.exe is safe?
You can use these methods to check whether smss.exe is safe.
Method 1: Check the Microsoft digital signature through Task Manager
To confirm whether smss.exe is safe, you can first check its Microsoft digital signature.
step 1: Open your task manager by clicking Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
Step 2: On the Details tab, find the “smss.exe” process. Once you find it, right-click and click Properties.
Step 3: In the properties window, check whether its digital signature comes from Microsoft official. You can even click on the details to get more vivid details.
Method 2: Check the location of the smss.exe file on the task manager
You can also check whether smss.exe is safe by looking up the file location.
step 1: Open the task manager by clicking Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
Step 2: Click the “Details” tab and search for smss.exe.
Step 3: right——Click and click “Open File Location”. It should redirect you to:
C:WindowsSystem32
Step 4: If it redirects you there, the file is safe. If it is not, it may be a virus or malware.
How to fix smss.exe issues
Method 1: Run system file check
SFC-System File Checker, is a Windows feature that can help repair or replace damaged files. It will scan and try to repair them. However, it helps if you use deployment image servicing and management tools first, and then SFC tools.
step 1: Click the Win + X button to open the advanced user menu bar. It will appear on the left side of the screen.
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Step 2: Click on the option; “Command Prompt (Administrator).” When prompted, click to run as an administrator.
Step 3: Run the following two commands at the command prompt. (Press the Enter button after each input.) The first command prompts the DISM tool to provide the necessary files to repair damaged system files.
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
Step 4: After the first command is executed, enter the second command and press Enter. This command scans system files and replaces damaged files.
SFC/Scan
Step 5: This process takes a while; wait until it is completed.
Method 2: Run Disk Check Tool
You can use the Windows Check Disk Utility to scan the system hard drives for faults and repair them.
step 1: Press the Windows + X button. A menu bar will appear on the left side of the screen.
Step 2: Click “Command Prompt (Admin)”. Click “Yes” to run as an administrator.
Step 3: At the command prompt, enter the following command and press Enter.
Chkdsk C: /f/r
Step 4: After the process is over, use the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the task manager. Find the smss.exe process and check if it has reduced the use of most of the system resources.
Method 3: Reset Windows
In this case, you only need to reset your Windows operating system instead of reinstalling it.
step 1: Navigate to the right edge of the screen or the gear icon, and click Settings. Then click “Change PC Settings”.
Step 2: Click Update and Security, and select Restore.
Step 3: Under “Reset this PC,” click “Start.” Then follow the instructions there.
Step 4: Wait for the process to end. That’s it.
Final thoughts
These methods can help resolve smss.exe issues. You should try these methods one by one to understand which method is most effective.
In addition, please do your best to grasp the steps you are taking to ensure that you can redo the work you have done. When resource usage decreases, this will help make your computer perform better.
