Launcher.exe: What is It & Should I Keep It?

If you see Launcher.exe in the Task Manager and wonder where it came from or whether you should keep it on your computer or delete it, this guide can help!

What is Launcher.exe?

Launcher.exe is a generic process related to apps like Zoom, Chrome, Edge, Opera, or any other processes you use.

Is Launcher.exe safe?

Yes, Launcher.exe is often a secure file when it is present in the official installation directory related to the app on your computer, especially in C:\Program Files

However, if the file is associated with an app you don’t use or is not in the installation directory, you can run antivirus software or delete the file.

Should I delete Launcher.exe?

 ✅Should keep it if:

• The .exe file belongs to an app you use
• It is not causing system performance issues

❌ Should remove it if:

• You don’t recognize the file or don’t use the app associated with it
• The file is draining the system’s resources
• It is not in the system directories

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

1. Check the file location

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch Task Manager.
2. Go to the Processes tab and locate Launcher.exe.
3. Right-click it and choose Open file location from the context menu.
4. You will be navigated to the associated folder; check the path to ensure it is in the app installation folder.

2. Run a full system malware scan

1. Press the Windows key, type security in the search box, click Windows Security, and then select Open from the list of options.
2. Choose Virus & threat protection from the left pane and click Scan options.
3. Under Scan options, choose Full scan, then click Scan now.

Once the scan is complete, review the results to check for threats. If malware is found, you can quarantine or remove it. However, if there are no issues, ensure there are no pending Windows updates on your device.

For additional security, use a reliable third-party antivirus tool and run a full system scan to ensure your machine is threats-free.

How can I delete launcher.exe or fix issues related to it?

1. End the process and delete the file

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc together to launch Task Manager.
2. Navigate to the Processes tab, locate launcher.exe, right-click it, and select Open file location from the context menu.
3. Once the file location is open in the File Explorer, click End task on Task Manager to stop the process.
4. Switch to File Explorer, select the file, then click the Delete icon.

2. Uninstall the related software

1. Press Windows + R to launch the Run dialog box.
2. Type appwiz.cpl and click OK to open the Programs and Features window.
3. Locate the app associated with launcher.exe that is causing the programs and select it, then click Uninstall.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process.

Once uninstalled, check the Program Files in the system drive to ensure the software is completely uninstalled. If any remaining files are found, remove them.

In conclusion, launcher.exe is a generic executable file associated with many legit apps, such as Edge, Chrome, Opera, Zoom, and more. If you encounter any issues related to this process, check the file location and remove it. If you don’t use the associated app, you can uninstall it.

Furthermore, you can run a full system scan using a reliable antivirus tool to ensure your device is malware-free. You can also perform a clean boot to discover the corrupt startup app or service or run a system file checker utility scan if you suspect a system file is corrupted.

There are other files you can encounter, and we recently wrote about AppleMobileDeviceService.exe in our latest guide, so don’t miss it.

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