Userinit.exe: What is It & Should you Remove It?

The executable is an important file native to the Windows OS

3 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

We run into a fewprocesses and applicationson our computers that we know little about. For some readers, userinit.exe falls into this category.

So, we have done all the research on this executable, and in this guide, we will explore all there is to know about it.

Where is the Userinit EXE file located?

Userinit.exe is a small file, usually around 116 KB. The file has adigital signatureby Microsoft, indicating that it belongs to Microsoft and is neither malware nor a virus. You may find it in the directory below:

C:\Windows\System32

What is userinit.exe?

The legal Windows process called userinit.exe is used to set up user profiles and launch the Windows shell. This executable is an essential component of the Windows operating system.

Upon starting the Windows operating system, userinit.exe automatically starts. This means your user profile, which contains your desktop preferences, favorite websites, and other customized data, loads.

Additionally, the Windows shell, which is the graphical user interface you use to interact with Windows, is also loaded.

Should I remove userinit.exe?

If you delete the file, you can no longer log into Windows and will get the following error message:Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: C:\Windows\System32\userinit.exe.

So, if you’re worried that userinit.exe is malware or infected with a virus, or if there are any other problems surrounding the executable, you may run a virus scan on your computer rather than delete it.

How do I know if the userinit.exe is a virus?

Ensure that the location tallies with the drive directory we highlighted in the Where is the Userinit EXE file located section. And also, make sure it is around 116KB.

If it doesn’t match these, it is most likely malware and may be removed.

That is as much as there is to know about the userinit.exe file. As a reminder, a virus may often mimic some of your important system files, so we encourage you to verify before taking any actions. Also, a virus scan is always the best solution when in doubt.

Lastly, drop any questions in the comments section if you think we missed a detail. We love to hear from you and will happily update you with additional information.

Userinit.exe: What is It & Should you Remove It?#

Where is the Userinit EXE file located?#

What is userinit.exe?#

Should I remove userinit.exe?#

How do I know if the userinit.exe is a virus?#

Userinit.exe: What is It & Should you Remove It?

Where is the Userinit EXE file located?

What is userinit.exe?

Should I remove userinit.exe?

How do I know if the userinit.exe is a virus?