What is UserAssist.exe? Is it Safe or a Virus? How to remove or fix it

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What is UserAssist.exe?

UserAssist.exe is an executable file from User Assist by Didier Stevens, with the Windows version 1.0.0.0 typically being around 155136 bytes. The .exe file could be a standard part of the software, but it's essential to verify if it's a legitimate application file or harmful malware/virus. Check its properties and origin to ensure its validity.

 

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Is UserAssist.exe safe, or is it a virus or malware?

To check if UserAssist.exe or any file is safe or a virus:

1. Verify its location: The legitimate path should be something like C:\Program Files\Didier Stevens\User Assist\UserAssist.exe
2. Use Task Manager: Add "Image Path Name" in the columns to see the file location.
3. Use Microsoft's Process Explorer: Check the "Verified Signer" status. If it's "Unable to Verify," further investigation is needed. Not all legitimate processes have a verified signature, but no malicious ones do.

The most important facts about UserAssist.exe:

• Name: UserAssist.exe
• Software: User Assist
• Publisher: Didier Stevens
• Expected Location: C:\Program Files\Didier Stevens\User Assist\ subfolder
• Expected Full Path: C:\Program Files\Didier Stevens\User Assist\UserAssist.exe
• SHA1: 038EDBB5D9C3FB50B0F9730E231D5B58805B32EF
• SHA256:
• MD5: 413F7DAE1F3B6DA23280382932F7997B
• Known to be up to 155136 bytes in size in Windows
• Version: 1.0.0.0
  

If experiencing issues with UserAssist.exe, first verify its trustworthiness using Task Manager by checking its location and size.

If it seems suspicious and you suspect a virus, use a comprehensive security application to attempt removal. Since not all tools detect every type of malware, you might need to try multiple security programs.

If the virus affects the ability to delete UserAssist.exe, boot into Safe Mode with Networking for a more secure environment, allowing you to run security scans and perform a thorough system analysis.

 

Can I remove or delete UserAssist.exe?

Do not delete UserAssist.exe if it's a safe file, as it could impact related programs. Keep your software and drivers updated to prevent issues.

If you suspect the file is malicious, perform a thorough system analysis with tools like Fortect or a reliable antivirus and malware remover. If these tools identify the file as harmful, they will help remove UserAssist.exe and any associated malware.

If it's not a virus and you need to uninstall it, remove User Assist via its uninstaller or the Add/Remove Program feature in the Windows Control Panel.

• 1. In the Start menu (for Windows 8, right-click the screen's bottom-left corner), click Control Panel, and then under Programs:
  o Windows Vista/7/8.1/10: Click Uninstall a Program.
  o Windows XP: Click Add or Remove Programs.

• 2. When you find the program User Assist, click it, and then:
  o Windows Vista/7/8.1/10: Click Uninstall.
  o Windows XP: Click the Remove or Change/Remove tab (to the right of the program).

• 3. Follow the prompts to remove User Assist.

 

 

Common UserAssist.exe error messages

The most common UserAssist.exe errors that can appear are:

• "UserAssist.exe Application Error."
• "UserAssist.exe failed."
• "UserAssist.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience."
• "UserAssist.exe is not a valid Win32 application."
• "UserAssist.exe is not running."
• "UserAssist.exe not found."
• "Cannot find UserAssist.exe."
• "Error starting program: UserAssist.exe."
• "Faulting Application Path: UserAssist.exe."
• "UserAssist.exe is not responding."
• "Access Violation at address [address] in module 'UserAssist.exe'."
• "UserAssist.exe has stopped working."
• "Cannot start User Assist. A required component is missing: UserAssist.exe"

 

.exe error messages related to UserAssist.exe can arise during various instances: program installation, while running User Assist software, during Windows startup or shutdown, or even while installing Windows. Recording the specific timing and context of these errors is crucial for effective troubleshooting.

 

How to fix UserAssist.exe

Maintaining a clean and organized computer is crucial for preventing issues with UserAssist.exe. This includes conducting regular malware scans, cleaning your hard disk with tools like cleanmgr and sfc /scannow, uninstalling unnecessary programs, managing auto-start programs through msconfig, and enabling automatic Windows updates.

Regular backups or setting recovery points are also important. If you encounter a major issue, check your recent actions and use the resmon command to identify problematic processes.

Rather than reinstalling Windows, consider repairing your installation or using the DISM.exe command. Tools like Fortect can help analyze the UserAssist.exe process, identifying if it is spyware, malware, or a Trojan horse, while antivirus software can assist in removing such threats.

 

Download or reinstall UserAssist.exe

Avoid downloading replacement exe files, like UserAssist.exe, from download sites due to the risk of viruses. Instead, reinstall the main application associated with it, which is User Assist, for a safer solution.

 

What is User Assist

UserAssist. The UserAssist utility displays a table of programs executed on a Windows machine, complete with running count and last execution date and time. Windows Explorer maintains this information in the UserAssist registry entries. My program allows you to display and manipulate these entries.

Operating system information

UserAssist.exe errors can occur in any of the following Microsoft Windows operating systems:

• Windows 11
• Windows 10
• Windows 8.1
• Windows 7
• Windows Vista
  

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