Information and startup locations can be examined on this page: verify all your files to make sure that they are legitimate, digitally signed and from the company Intel Corporation to which they should belong.
hkcmd.exe security and file info
hkcmd Module
- Intel(R) Common User Interface
- Intel Corporation
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| Filetype : executable |
An executable file is a program that can be executed in your windows environment.
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What is hkcmd.exe?
Hkcmd.exe is the Intel Hotkey Command Module. It is installed with the Intel graphics and chipset drivers and provides support for various hotkeys to allow you to quickly change your graphics settings.
This process is a nonessential process and can safely be terminated. To disable the Intel Hotkey Command Module, open your display properties control panel and disable hotkeys. By disabling it, you will lose the ability to use the hotkeys defined in the settings for the Intel Hotkey Command Module.
Dangers of hkcmd
As this is a relatively common legitimate process with a cryptic name, it is common for virus writers and spyware vendors to disguise their malware as the genuine hkcmd.exe.
Some malicious files will have the same name but will be stored somewhere other than in %SystemRoot%\System32. Other malware will use a name that appears similar to it but with slight differences in spelling or with appended digits. The following malware is known to disguise itself as the Intel Hotkey Command Module:
- W32/Sdbot-DGR (%SystemRoot%)
- This is a worm that spreads via network shares and KaZaA that can communicate with a remote server via HTTP.
- W32/Pahatia-A (%SystemRoot%)
- This is a worm that spreads via removable drives (e.g., USB flash drives and hard drives) that periodically attempts to kill critical system processes as well as other common processes.
There is typically only one instance of this process running at a given time. The presence of multiple instances may be an indicator of a malware infection.
Common problems
- Hkcmd.exe crashes after installation of Windows XP Service Pack 2
- This is a known issue. Reinstall your Intel graphics card and chipset drivers.
- Hkcmd.exe tries to connect to microsoft.com
- This is a known issue that is apparently by design. You can choose to block access or disable the Hotkey Command Module as described above.
- Hkcmd.exe uses 100% CPU time
- This can be caused by a damaged installation of your Intel drivers. Try reinstalling them.
- If this does not correct the problem, disable the Hotkey Command Module as described above.
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| MD5 File security rating |
A MD5 hash is a unique fingerprint of a file.
Different files/versions can have the same filenames. The MD5 hash verifies that the legitimate file is not altered.
Runscanner (Freeware) can help you checking the file's MD5 hashes
| Hkcmd.exe files in Runscanner database |
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59 different item(s) in database |
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1 different item(s) in database |
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252 different item(s) in database |
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Green items are verified safe to use |
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Unrated items are not yet checked for safety. |
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Red items are not safe (typically virusses, spyware or other malware) |
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This file is digitally signed by it's publisher.
This means that the file is from the company claiming to created it, this does not mean by default that the file is safe
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| General file info |
| Product name: |
Intel(R) Common User Interface
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| Description: |
hkcmd Module
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| Company: |
Intel Corporation
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| Fix HKCMD.EXE errors: Free registry scan |
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| Pacman startup database |
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Part of Intels Common User Interface for chipsets with integrated graphics controllers - which allows user to change different driver properties through Windows User Interface. If the user wishes to have "HotKey" access to Intel's customised graphics properties, it is required, otherwise not. It can be disabled via the Display Properties in the Control Panel |
| info provided by sysinfo.org |
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Automatic startup locations
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001 Running Processes |
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002 Autorun registry entries local machine |
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003 Autorun registry entries Current User |
User comments for this file
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Part of Intel Extreme Graphics 2 (82852 82855 GM GME) driver on my laptop. |
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More system processes
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| Filename / Process |
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| Guid / CLSID |
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| MD5 hash |
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312 MD5 version(s) found
only top 10 displayed
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| Check your autostart files
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