does anyone know anthing about a program or app called 'watchthread'?

Question

Does anyone know anything about a program or app called 'watchthread'? From time to time it prevents me from doing a shutdown (but it yields when forced).  It does not show up if I only do a sleep.  And it does not seem to happen every time I shutdown.

Answer 1

When I try to do a shutdown in win 10, I (occasionally) get the win error message:  "cannot shut down because of open program watchthread" (Note: I am approximating; I don't remember the exact MS error message wording).  However, there is no real problem, since it lets me force a close.

BUT, for me, this has only happened rarely.

I have done an 'Ultrasearch' of my computer, but nothing called 'watchthread' or 'watch thread'  appears.  Nor is it listed as a program in control panel.

Answer 2

Not much is known, but it could be either malware or a built in function of Mozilla Firefox.

Click Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features

Look through the list for any entries for suspicious software installed

Select it then click uninstall

Reset all your web browsers to their original factors state

In Microsoft Edge - Click Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Microsoft Edge

Select it, click Advanced options > Reset

Reset Chrome settings to default - Google Chrome Help

https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/329621...

Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings - Mozilla Support

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/refresh-fi...

Use Malwarebytes to scan and clean the computer.

https://www.malwarebytes.com/

Also use ESET Sysrescue offline scanner to scan and clean the computer, see instructions in the following article:

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/clean-virus-in...

Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Answer 3

P.S.  I do not use Mozilla Firefox, nor is it loaded on my PC!

Answer 4

Sorry, I have no ideas what this could be. Try to search any relevant message in system journal.

Answer 5

Hi, Norman,

There is no such program or app in Windows.

Please, give a screenshot of your problem.