HsMgr64.exe: What is It & Should I Delete It?

If you see the HsMgr64.exe file in the Task Manager and are wondering what it is and whether you should remove it, this guide can help!

What is HsMgr64.exe?

The HsMgr64.exe file is a component of ASUS Xonar or C-Media sound card as it is an essential part of the driver software. You may find both the HsMgr.exe (32-bit) and HsMgr64.exe (64-bit) entries configured to run at startup.

Usually, HsMgr64.exe (64-bit) might trigger conflicts and crash apps like Apex Legends, and you can disable the 64-bit component. However, you can’t disable 32-bit and 64-bit as it would affect your computer’s audio functionality.

Is HsMgr64.exe safe?

Yes, HsMgr64.exe is a legitimate process if it is present in the official installation directory, which is: C:\Windows\System

However, if it is saved in another location on your computer, chances are it could be a virus or malware disguised as a legitimate process.

Should I delete HsMgr64.exe?

 ✅Keep it if:

• Your system has an ASUS Xonar or C-Media sound card
• The file is in C:\Windows\System

❌ Remove it if:

• The file is not in the default location
• Your system shows unusual behavior like crashes, high CPU usage, or malware-related pop-ups
• A reliable antivirus app flagged it as malicious

Read more about this topic

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• HydraDM.exe: What is It & Should I Remove It?

How can I check if HsMgr64.exe is a virus?

1. Check the file location

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Go to Processes and look for HsMgr64.exe.
3. Right-click it and select Open file location from the context menu.
4. The File Explorer will open with the HsMgr64.exe folder; check the path to make sure the file is in the System drive’s system folder.

2. Run a full system scan

1. Press the Windows key, type security in the search box, select Windows Security, and choose Open.
2. Go to Virus & threat protection, then select Scan options.
3. Choose Full scan from the options, and click the Scan now button to initiate a full system scan.

Once the scan is complete, you can review the results; if the antivirus has flagged a file as malware or virus, quarantine or remove it. Next, install the Windows updates if any are pending

We also recommend you run a full system scan using a reliable third-party antivirus tool to ensure there are no potential threats on your device.

How can I fix issues related to HsMgr64.exe?

1. Disable the service

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run console.
2. Type services.msc and click OK to open Services.
3. Locate & right-click HsMgr64.exe and choose Properties from the context menu.
4. For the Startup type, select Disabled from the drop-down menu and for Service Status, click the Stop button.
5. Click Apply and OK to confirm the changes.

2. Update/reinstall the sound card driver

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run window.
2. Type devmgmt.msc and click OK to open Device Manager.
3. Locate Sound card, click it to expand the category, right-click the ASUS sound card, and select Update driver.
4. Select Search automatically for drivers.

Windows will search for the latest driver version. If Windows fails, you can manually install the driver from the device manufacturer’s website. Alternatively, you can install & run a reliable third-party driver updater tool to ensure all the device drivers are up to date.

If you still see errors related to HsMgr64.exe, follow these steps to reinstall the driver:

1. Launch the Device Manager app, locate & click Sound card, right-click the driver, and choose Uninstall device from the context menu.
2. Select Uninstall again and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Click Action, and select Scan for hardware changes to reinstall the driver.

3. Perform a System Restore

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run console.
2. Type sysdm.cpl and click OK to open System Properties.
3. Navigate to the System Protection tab and click the System Restore button.
4. Select Choose a different restore point and click Next.
5. Choose the oldest or the one created before the issues related to HsMgr64.exe started, then click Next from the list of available restore points.
6. Click Finish to initiate the process.

Windows will restart and restore the system settings to the selected point. However, if you see System Restore did not Complete Successfully message after restart, the reason could be conflicting drivers or corrupted system files; read this guide to learn more.

In conclusion, HsMgr64.exe is a secure file associated with an ASUS sound card. However, if you are facing issues because of it, we advise you to run a full scan using an antivirus tool you trust, disable the service, update/reinstall the sound driver, or restore your system settings to a chosen point.

Moreover, you can reboot your computer in a clean boot environment to identify a startup app and service causing problems, or if you suspect system files are damaged, you can run a system file checker scan to recover them.

If you have questions about the HsMgr64.exe file, feel free to mention them in the comments section below. We will be happy to answer.