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

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. . .


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bducks82