What is %WINDIR%\SMINST\launcher.exe?

I see places where this is listed as a Spyware/Malware and others where
it is listed as being a part of the recovery software on HP computers.
Anyone have any clue if this is something I need to remove or if it's a
part of the recovery system on the HP computers?

I have it on my laptop, also a HP, as well.


--
KingOfChaos

It is both. Many malware programs use the names of legitimate programs, or
names that sound similar to legitimate programs, to disguise themselves. If
you have the program on an HP laptop and research shows that it belongs
there, then it's most likely a legitimate program and not a malware program.
If you want to be sure use at least one of the many available malware
scanners to check your system.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
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"KingOfChaos" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> I see places where this is listed as a Spyware/Malware and others where
> it is listed as being a part of the recovery software on HP computers.
> Anyone have any clue if this is something I need to remove or if it's a
> part of the recovery system on the HP computers?
>
> I have it on my laptop, also a HP, as well.
>
>
> --
> KingOfChaos

KingOfChaos;664494 Wrote:
> I see places where this is listed as a Spyware/Malware and others where
> it is listed as being a part of the recovery software on HP computers.
> Anyone have any clue if this is something I need to remove or if it's a
> part of the recovery system on the HP computers?
>
> I have it on my laptop, also a HP, as well.

Despite having a relatively fast processor, it takes a long time to get
started each time I log into my HP PC, so I am trying to distinguish the
necessary or useful programs in my startup sequence from the bloatware.

One of the programs I found running at startup was SMINST\launcher.exe.
I searched numerous forums on the web to try to find out what it was,
and no one gave a definitive answer, so I contacted SoftThinks and asked
them. Robert, the support guy was very helpful, responding promptly to
each of my emails.

According to Robert, SMINST/launcher is a scheduler that kicks
off a reminder to create a recovery disk for your PC. Specifically, he
said, \"The launcher is used to launch the reminder, which reminds you
to create your recovery media. That is the only purpose of launcher.\"

Presumably, once you have created your recovery media, it should be OK
to remove it from the startup sequence.

One down, many more to go. . .


--
bducks82