File description |
Rthdcpl.exe with description Realtek HD Audio Control Panel is a process file from company Realtek Semiconductor Corp. belonging to product Realtek HD Audio Sound Effect Manager.
The file is
digitally signed from Microsoft Windows Component Publisher - Microsoft Time-Stamp Service
We do not recommend removing digitally signed files from Microsoft Windows Component Publisher
What is rthdcpl.exe?
Rthdcpl.exe is part of Realtek HD Audio Control Panel. It is installed along with the drivers for Realtek sound cards and audio devices and allows you to modify the settings of your Realtek audio device.
This process is an nonessential system process; however, it should not be disabled unless absolutely necessary. Disabling or uninstalling the Realtek HD Audio Control Panel may leave your system without sound. If it is causing problems, however, uninstalling it will not have any other ill effects on your system.
Dangers of rthdcpl
As this is a relatively common process that runs on most systems with a Realtek sound card, it is possible for virus writers and spyware vendors to disguise their malware as the genuine one.
Some malicious files may have the same name but be stored somewhere other than in %SystemRoot%. Other malware may use a name that appears similar to it but with slight differences in spelling or with appended digits. While there are currently no known viruses, trojans, or adware applications that disguise themselves as this process, you should look out for this file in an incorrect location or with a slightly different name.
There is typically only one instance of this process running at a given time on a system. The presence of multiple instances may be an indicator of a malware infection. If you do not have a Realtek sound card, the presence of this process may indicate that your system is infected.
Common problems
- "rthdcpl.exe - Illegal System DLL Relocation"
- This error is known to be caused by the Windows security update detailed in security bulletin MS07-017. Install update 935448 to correct this problem.
- This process uses 100% CPU time
- There is no known cause for this problem. Ensure your Realtek drivers are up-to-date and try reinstalling them.
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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 |
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004 All users startup startmenu |
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005 Current user startup startmenu |
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Digital signatures found for this file |
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Signer of certificate |
Issuer of certificate |
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Microsoft Windows Component Publisher |
Microsoft Time-Stamp Service |
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Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility Publisher |
Microsoft Time-Stamp Service |
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Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility Publisher |
Microsoft Timestamping Service |
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Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility Publisher |
VeriSign Time Stamping Services Signer |
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Realtek Semiconductor Corp |
VeriSign Time Stamping Services Signer - G2 |
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MD5 security rating in our database |
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252 |
files (Not yet rated
and
not
signed) |
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1 |
files (Not yet rated
and
digitally
signed) |
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10 |
files (Safe
and
not
signed) |
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243 |
files (Safe
and
digitally
signed) |
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Some versions of this filename have not yet been checked for safety.
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| Warning: Some malware might rename itself to rthdcpl.exe. Always make sure that your file is from a verified publisher. |
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Application errors |
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