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Unknown
Safe
User Optional
Unwanted
Spyware / Adware
Virus

More than one possible match was found; all matches are listed below in order of their prevalence. This only tells you what the file and the correct action might be.

To understand which possibility is actually running on your own system, perform an Overdrive test and then look at the Software|Processes tab.

You may find more information on this process by visiting Process Detail Pages.

Prevalence

Percentage of recently scanned PC's with this process running: 4.06%
Average CPU use for this program: 0%
Average RAM for this program: 2 MB

Identification

In addition to the file name, msmsgs.exe, the following version information is used to identify the file. If the file does not match this information, it may be a different file. To ensure the file is absolutely correct, run a free and comprehensive scan.

To view version information with Windows Explorer, right-click the file and click Properties, Version.

Vendor or Distributor's Web Site

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=a8d9eb73-5f8c-4b9a-940f-9157a3b3d774

PC Pitstop Analysis

MSMSGS.EXE provides instant messaging (IM) capabilities through MSN. If you are not using this feature you should disable it to save system resources and improve performance. To temporarily disable until the next reboot, right-click the MSN Messenger icon and select Exit. To permanently disable, double-click the icon to open the application, then select Tools | Options from the menu. Under the Preferences tab, clear the check box next to "Always run this program so that I can receive alerts and messages when I am online." You can always start MSN Messenger from the Start Menu if you need it.

This is the old Windows Messenger that comes with XP by default. If you use MSN Live, MSN Messnger, etc, you don't need load this.

msmsgs.exe uses excessive system and memory resources with no corresponding benefit. Applications such as these should be disabled to improve overall system performance.

PC Pitstop PC Matic removes msmsgs.exe and many other unnecessary processes making your PC faster and more efficient. In addition to unnecessary software, PC Matic keeps your system at peak performance through registry analysis, junk file cleaning and internet optimization.

Run a free scan and analysis to learn how much faster your PC can be.

MD5 Hashes

MD5 hashes is the way that computers can define the uniqueness of a file. Anti malware vendors frequently use this technique to detect and clean malware. It is common for a program to have multiple MD5 hashes as the developers create newer versions of the program. For the program called msmsgs.exe, we have detected more than 10 different MD5 hashes. Click on a hash to research the hash in Google.

Prevalence

This program has not been seen on any systems tested at PC Pitstop in the past week.

Identification

The file name alone identifies this program.

Vendor or Distributor's Web Site

http://im.live.com/

Detailed Description and/or Removal Instructions

http://search.ca.com/search/ca?style=en&search_button=Search&qt=msmsgs.exe&col=

PC Pitstop Analysis

msmsgs.exe is a file name that many Viruses use.
USUALLY msmsgs.exe has in Vendor field "Microsoft" just like Product has "messenger", was detected that this file has no vendor or product information which makes it just suspicious.
Was found a virus/trojan with the same name, run a anti-virus scan to be sure that is not the case.
More information: Read Detailed Description.
Also: http://www.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/virus.aspx?id=54965

msmsgs.exe is a VIRUS. Stop all work until the virus is removed or you run the risk of spreading the virus to other people. Worse yet, the virus may be doing harm to your computer and your information.

msmsgs.exe is a virus and should be removed immediately to avoid doing further harm. PC Pitstop recommends PC Matic in these types of situations.

MD5 Hashes

MD5 hashes is the way that computers can define the uniqueness of a file. Anti malware vendors frequently use this technique to detect and clean malware. It is common for a program to have multiple MD5 hashes as the developers create newer versions of the program. For the program called msmsgs.exe, we have detected more than 10 different MD5 hashes. Click on a hash to research the hash in Google.

Try a free diagnostic now

PC Pitstop is the undisputed leader in PC diagnostics. Our running process library is culled from our database of over 100 million PC diagnostics and scans.

To find the latest driver for your computer we recommend running our Free Driver Scan.

Find out how to make your computer faster by running our Free Performance Scan.

Tips from the PitCrew

Every process running on your computer takes up CPU cycles and valuable memory. For optimal PC performance and resource utilization, you should be aware of every process on your computer. PC Pitstop designed this process library to help you know which processes are worthwhile and others that slow system performance.

Important Note

A file name alone may not be enough for positive identification. PC Pitstop's Overdrive tests and spyware scan use information such as the company name, product name, or install directory.

If you are unable to identify a file, ask about it in our forums after running our full tests.