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"Updater.exe" in data usage statistics, Is it a malware?

Rohan Sain 20 Reputation points
2026-06-05T16:10:07.94+00:00

I did a clean reinstall of windows yesterday and today I found this file named "Updater.exe" in data usage statistics. I am very suspicious of it being a malware

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Security and privacy
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_AW_ 68,006 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-06-06T12:07:09.7633333+00:00

Hover the cursor over Updater.exe in Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Data usage and you should see the file path. What is the full path?

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  1. DaveM121 893.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-06-05T16:45:13.1733333+00:00

    1

    Updater.exe is a very common name used by software developers for software installed on your PC, it is usually just a process used to keep the software up to date.

    Open Task Manager.

    Select the Processes tab.

    If you find Updater.exe listed in the processes, right click it and select 'Open File Location'.

    What is the reported location of that process?

    2

    Click the link below to download a small free utility that does not require installation.

    https://download.sysinternals.com/files/Autoruns.zip

    When the file downloads, unzip it.

    Run Autoruns64 as Administrator

    A

    Select the 'Logon' tab at the top of Autoruns.

    Please provide a screenshot of all entries on that tab.

    B

    Select the 'Scheduled Tasks' tab at the top of Autoruns.

    Please provide a screenshot of all entries on that tab.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-06-05T16:10:19.2533333+00:00

    “Updater.exe” by itself is not enough to determine whether it is malware. Many legitimate applications and drivers use an updater component with that name, but malware can also use the same or similar names.

    Because the context only covers how to handle suspected malware in Microsoft ecosystems, the safe, supported path is:

    1. Do not run or interact with the file directly.
    2. Ensure Microsoft Defender Antivirus is up to date and run a full scan of the system.
    3. If Defender or another trusted security product flags the file as malicious or suspicious, follow its remediation steps (quarantine/remove).
    4. If the file is not detected but is still suspected:
      • Submit the file to Microsoft for analysis as a possible malware sample or false positive using the guidance in the references below.

    If it turns out to be malware that bypassed protections, or if it is incorrectly detected as malware, Microsoft’s submission process allows investigation and correction of definitions.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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