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Learn how to protect your Windows PC from malware and other threats.Application Control
Control your PC apps and their behaviors.What’s that .exe?
Is that executable safe, or a threat?SpyShelter PC Protection
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Protect your Windows Registry from harm.How to prevent Screenshots
Learn how to prevent unauthorized Screenshots.Executable Directory
Our ultimate directory of Windows PC executables.The file wlsettings.exe, published by Microsoft Corporation, is part of the Windows Live Essentials suite, which included applications like Windows Live Mail, Messenger, Photo Gallery, and Writer. This executable is specifically associated with Windows Live Settings, a component responsible for managing user preferences and configurations across these applications. Users who installed Windows Live Essentials would have this file as part of the suite.
If you find wlsettings.exe on your system, it's likely because you previously installed Windows Live Essentials to use one or more of its applications. Although Microsoft discontinued support for Windows Live Essentials in 2017, the suite can still function on older versions of Windows, and some users continue to use it for its simplicity and offline capabilities.
Below are 4 simple steps you can take to see if the wlsettings.exe process is safe or malware.
Researched by Laura @ SpyShelter Labs
A Trojan is a harmful software that pretends to be a legitimate program or file to deceive users into downloading it. It can steal personal information, damage files, or give hackers control over the infected device.
Download SpyShelter to see detailed safety information about every .exe on your PC.
Check your PC for threatsWe’ve found Microsoft Corporation should be the publisher of wlsettings.exe.
How do we know? Our SpyShelter cybersecurity labs focuses on monitoring different types of Windows PC executables and their behaviors for our popular SpyShelter Antispyware software. Learn more about us, and how our cybersecurity team studies Windows PC executables/processes.
The publisher of an executable is the entity responsible for its distribution and authenticity. Most processes/executables on your PC should be signed. The signature on the executable should have been verified through a third party whose job it is to make sure the entity is who it says it is. Find an unsigned executable? You should consider scanning any completely unsigned .exe on your PC.
Our team at SpyShelter has been studying Windows PC executables for over 15 years, to help fight against spyware, malware, and other threats. SpyShelter has been featured in publications like The Register, PC Magazine, and many others. Now we’re working to share free, actionable, and easy to understand information about Windows executables (processes) with the world, to help as many people as possible keep their devices safe. Learn more about us on our "About SpyShelter” page.
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