Kmsss.exe: Is it a Virus & How to Remove it?

Sometimes you might notice an unusual file on your PC such as kmsss.exe. This specific file can be problematic, so in today’s guide, we’re going to show you what to do if you encounter it.

What is kmsss.exe?

This file is often associated with KMSAuto or KMSpico. If you’re not familiar with them, they are often used to bypass digital licenses of Microsoft products, most notably Windows and Microsoft Office.

Where is kmsss.exe located?

This file is often located inside of the KSMAuto or KMSpico folders.  Usually, you can find it in C:\ProgramData\KMSAuto\bin\

However, it can also be anywhere on your PC, since it’s usually downloaded manually by the user.

Is kmsss.exe virus?

Most antivirus software will flag this file as malicious, and according to VirusTotal, this file is flagged by 43 vendors which makes it very risky.

Users also reported that it comes with an IStealer keylogger, so it can be used to steal your passwords and login data.

To ensure that your PC is safe, we suggest scanning the file. You can do that by following these steps:

1. Locate the file, and right-click it.
2. Choose Scan with Microsoft Defender.
   
3. Delete the file or quarantine it.

If you suspect that your PC is still infected, you might have to perform a full scan of your PC or clean install of Windows 11.

As you can see kmsss.exe is most likely malicious, so you shouldn’t use it on your PC. If you encounter it, it might be best to remove it and perform a full system scan.

This isn’t the only activator disguised as malware and we have guides on both AutoKMS.exe and Autopico.exe, so visit them for more information.

Our latest guides also cover KMService.exe and KMS-R@1n.exe, so you might want to visit them.