What is hkcmd.exe? Is hkcmd.exe spyware or a virus?

What are you to do to fix hkcmd.exe related problems?
1. Run Security Task Manager to check your hkcmd.exe process
2. Run Registry Booster to fix hkcmd.exe related errors
3. Run Spyware Doctor to remove persistent malware

Process name: Intel Hotkey command activator
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File: hkcmd.exe
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Get more detailed information about hkcmd.exe and all other running background processes with Security Task Manager.

Note: Any malware can be named anything - so you should check where the files of the running processes are located on your disk. If a "non-Microsoft" .exe file is located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder, then there is a high risk for a virus, spyware, trojan or worm infection! Check it out!


Users Opinions

6393 users ask for this file. 20 users didn't rate it ("don't know"). 45 users rated it as not dangerous. 9 users rated it as not so dangerous. 38 users rated it as neutral. 23 users rated it as little bit dangerous. 20 users rated it as dangerous.


All comments about hkcmd.exe:
Alex Enables the Intel Hotkey command for graphics driver and keyboard.
El Gringo It something todo with keyboard shortcuts, provided by intel, its worth getting rid of itf you dont use it
none may gather info typed on keyboard, why lots of drivers for such a crap graphic chip?
Andrew Carpenter, Microsoft MVP for Security Intel Hot Keys Command Module. Monitors the keyboard for the key-presses you specified in the program.  See also: Link
nize it's a keyboard shortcut to accelerate the intel graphics chipset. can be disabled via display properties in control panel.
scoub Application that implements the Intel Hotkey command
Sid norton firewall intercepted it trying to open a tcp connection
Bob Wow what a feature. So I can press a key and change what direction my monitor displays data.
mike Regedit, tasklist, HijackThis could not be accessed while this was running.
Eric In two separate instances, has caused the mouse pointer to disappear/freeze/move sporadically on loading.
IT Journo UK Windows background process, runs keyboard short cuts etc for Intel based graphix chips.
AntaBaka Tries to get in contact with *.microsoft.com via TCP. I don't like that.
TJ only the attached from the discussion boards link  See also: Link
T hkcmd.exe crashes after installed SP2 for winXP
Jeff would not let me eject my USB flash drive until I killed this process
Sam "it's a keyboard shortcut to accelerate the intel graphics chipset. can be disabled via display properties in control panel. " This is exactly what it was. Disabled it and now it's gone.
Tony Tried to open UDP (outbound) connection on Port 53 (DNS). Why does driver need to talk on network?
The man Intel "extreme" grahics hot key interceptor. If you never use the Intel hotkeys, you can save the overhead via Control Panel/Intel Extreme Graphics/Hot Keys and turn them off.
The man Intel hot key interceptor
Greg All I know is, I have a pc that runs better when HKCMD isn't running.
pc works fine denying it internet access
Caused computer to change to lowest resolution and least colors on every reboot.
Robert The same comment of last, crashes after installed SP2 winXP
Andre Not required takes up about 3MB while running
Stefan Crashes with SP2 for WinXP. Lame!
M - NZ Got this file after a website took control of computer. Definitely spyware, get rid of it. Check HKLM/Software/microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run in the registry
Leroy When installed on XP SP2 causes blue screen with the Novell Client
user allows special hotkeys to work, email, internet buttons on laptops
Karl Keeps crashing after xp sp2 installed
ralfy-d crashes after installation of sp2 / winxp  See also: Link
Mike567 Is i.e. used for pivoting flat panel monitors - keyboard shortcut; Crashes after SP2 install (- new version!)  See also: Link
Kevin B. Been disabling it for some time now... it does have value... just not to my configuration.
HAQattaq Causes problems after WinXP SP2
Datamind Enables the Intel Hotkey command for graphics driver and keyboard.
The Man hkcmd.exe description: Hotkey Command Module for Intel Graphics Contollers. Located in "C:\WINNT\System32\" on Windows NT/2000 and "C:\WINDOWS\System32\" on Windows XP. File hkcmd.exe removal: Described file hkcmd.exe is not related to the security threats. However the same or similar file name can be used by spyware or adware programs to decept user. We advice you to scan your computer and eliminate possible threats.
D.S.T. After SP2 install, I couldn't use certain ctrl-alt-(letter) commands until I deleted this.
disable by run: msconfig [enter] startup tab
LUIX Changed my ADSL conn to DialUp. Hosted in register. DELETED!
IT Man It uses up 99% of the CPU whilst running and takes high priority.
Tony causes screen to flicker, start menu won't stay open during flicker
mr man Something that monitors the keybd so that when you push a key u can program it todo stuff
santosh rao it can be disbabled from the graphic properties of the intel driver. it will probably be present in the registry, so can be removed from there also. This exe uses a big chunk of the cpu, which is not very healty
Tom Kazakoff I could not use my NT system, It pigged 98% of the cpu !
Russ Firewall caught it accessing the network.
Derek Also crashes on my machine after installing XP2
IMMORTAL MILITANT Had a problem, accidently deleted key in the registry trying to remove adware, had to repair windows XP from startup disk, when repairing the installation a window poped up telling me that this file 'hkcmd.exe' was needed and to locate the file, I pressed cancel and continued with repair of installation. Sounds like it is not needed anyway according to all the other posts.
Anthony Even If I disable Hot Keys, it still loads at startup. Nothing seems to go wrong if I "end task" it.
Techie After XP sp2 update it created serious issues with the system, making it unuseable. To fix open run: type msconfig and disable it on startup. Everthing returned to normal after this was removed.  See also: Link
Fludizz Process appeared after installing Intel Graphix Drivers. Harmless/Useless program that just eats away valuable memory. Can be removed in HKLM/Software/microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run
Mike Ellis You scare mongers should do your research before posting bogus information here... It's a legitimate command process - Intel Hot Keys Command Module. Monitors the keyboard for the key-presses you specified in the program.
INGOLINE Verhinder und blockt Zugriff auf gemeinsame Netzwerke
GTO it uses up all of my system resources until i end process and then it runs great. I want to remove it but am worried.
Dan My company installed a bunch of crap on my computer and said they were going to start tracking everyone. That's when this thing appeared. Not sure what it does, but seems to be some sort of tracking device.
ix I rely on keyboard, not mouse, and thus use Windows hot keys (ctrl+alt+_) ALOT! hkcmd.exe greatly interferes with this functionality.
Nick As descibed. Started serious crashing once I had updated to XP SP2
dennis thomas Gateway M520 laptop retains email, search, internet, music hotkey use with hkcmd.exe removed Had to stop with msmiconfig startup tab
Rich When booting win98, hkcmd.exe performs illegal operation
Sean This is great, I can now dump the Pivot software that came with my LCD monitor (which rotates) for this much less intrusive app.
xcal3 itīs a hot key interceptor for a intel graphics card, the name of this is hkcmd.exe donīt confuse with AckCmd.exe than is a backdoor
A Caused a DC upgraded from Windows 2000 SP4 to Windows Server 2003 Standard to blue screen! Restarted in safe mode, disabled all commands in HKLM\...\Run, then manually run one by one to determine problem.
mpicard hkcmd module keeps popping-up can,t get rid of it.
kira13 On my old VAIO laptop, this was necessary to use the fn key combinations, which did hardware-specific things like mute the volume, switch from the laptop to an external monitor, and change the screen brightness. If you're using whatever keys it makes work, you'll need to keep it. If you're not, you can disable it.
UniDyne Seems to be two of these. One is the Intel HotKey process. It may be disabled. May cause problems under XP SP2 and will crash when logging over RDP. The other appears to be spyware that masquerades as the Intel process.
UniDyne May also disable by deleting the reg key HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\HotKeysCmds
George Bush It's actually a file that transmit information to another galaxy that's spying on us...very dangerous  See also: Link
tanmay mande user can rotate the display using Alt+ctr+arrow key shortcut if it is running! dont fear to use it!!
wev It comes with a graphic driver from Intel. My computer wouldn't go into 'standby' anymore.
Rhett Buck After SP2 - crashed - re-installed video driver and now it works fine!
Nada Corporation reformat the hard drive
pjs67 Don't fall for the sensationism... It is NOT spyware. Allows hotkeys in the Intel(R) GMA Driver Control Panel applet to function. Disable it in the CP applet and reboot if you don't need it.
psjulek i think it's buged soft - compaq video - it's bloking national key "ł" indeed of some shortcut. If u want to get rid of it type "msconfig" and layer startup
andy on a tablet pc, causes flashing and delays when some programs wait for user input. don't like having to choose between hkcmd and app - both are useful.
Monique my hkcmd module kept crashing and now my right click on desk top won't work. always crashes my explorer (not the browser)
Erick File hkcmd.exe is the Intel Hot Keys Command Module which handles keyboard shortcuts for Intel based graphix chips.
Chayenne System Analyst. This hkcmd make a PPP error and don't let me enter to the internet using a dialup connection.
Bob Keeps turning on and using 99% reseources - makes eeverything like gloop. Very annoying.
Cow It is file created by micro$ft, so I don't believe, that it can work propely...
Jorge Cossio It makes the screen flicker until you kill the process maybe WXPsp2 related?
Tim Howland Uses over 4 MB of RAM. That alone makes it worth removing.
Glen Screws up certain ctrl-alt key combinations
JJW It causes XP system to crash after Novell Client Install
Giselley19 It has ability to access PC and change settings. I had three different versions, none of which I installed. Opens ports and accesses PC illegally. Experienced Programmer needed to fully decipher its functions. Scary!
Me attempts legal tcp connection to internet. When refused denies web traffic through zonealarm firewall to convince user to disable firewall. Now why would a key listener be so desperate to communicate with the internet?
jinn it run by intel graphics controller when this driver is installed  See also: Link
Mistergian Problem with this EXE appears after installing XP SP2, just to download last graphic controler's driver, and it's OK !
Get real This is INTELS Extreme Graphics background program it is necessary for your graphics card in fast performances.  See also: Link
Alsee Intel Hot Key Commands. Allows you to launch video configuration panel with a key combo. Not dangerous, but remove it to reduce system cruft level.
if you dick heads look at your key board you'l see its a media controled key board, hkcmd is the program to control the media eda comand prompt in your processor, its simply a eminence program that your looking at
Jonathan OPTIONAL - to disable: Control Panel/Display/Settings Tab/Advanced/Intel Graphics Media Accelerator Driver Tab/Graphics Properties/Hot Keys Tab
Uses 4MB, but I have adequate RAM (1.2GB), and uses no processor resources. Came with the laptop (Acer 290) and caused no problems when I updated to SP2. I'm happy to leave well alone!
Diana The real file is not a threat, however two other files with the same name installed themselves on my laptop and try to access the internet. Those files needed to be removed.
ray I found three hkcmd files in three different folders: C:\i386 C:\WINDOWS\system32 C:\drivers\video\onboard I tried deleting the file in the C:\WINDOWS folder. My computer would not allow the deletion. Which file is the bad one or are all three worthly of deletion???
dariusistmeinname its not dangerous at all, trust me! ungefaehrlich!
Daniel Glasser Seems harmless, but I don't use hot-keys much.
MPM Not needed AT ALL, so why keep it running?
JC It interferes with peoper functioning of US-International Keyboard definition.
Bumbes lastet das system zu 100% aus, richtet keinen Schaden an  See also: Link
Dimi it isn't in my system sow i don't give a crap
dave not worth having unless you use the shourtcut keys on your keyboard
Chris It is NOT spyware. Allows hotkeys in the Intel(R) GMA Driver Control Panel applet to function. Disable it in the CP applet and reboot if you don't need it.
mp0011 If you use polish keyboard layout - disable this file or disable keyboard shortcuts in Intel Extreame Graphics taskbar icon. If you don't some, polish letters will be unaccessible from keyboard.
Xavier It's done nothing on my computer, but I am a pretty big nerd, so I'll look at for it. Also, don't download anything if you have this, unless using Mozilla. It screws up my IE downloads for some reason.
Joe Melton It is a valid file for Compaq\HP and other computers that use the Intel Graphics Controller, as described in HP Document ID: DD040826_CW01 at the link below.
Jon One more comment about hkcmd, on my tablet PC I recently began getting a 'Data Execution Prevention' block on a 'Generic Host Process for win32' after much trial and error thanks to Security Task Manager, I isolated this file as the culprit. Just one more of the apparently many conflicts people have with the shortcut application
IT Girl Started giving an error message during startup after installing SP2 on WinXP Pro. Rolled back Graphics Controller Driver and it went away
E.T. All your keys are belong to us
alex cox it keep's turningof and on by it's self and i think it might have something to do with the tv operating systems  See also: Link
Mike Hot Key Command - used by Intel Graphics driver to switch between portrait and landscape mode on monitors that swivel like the DELL 1905FP. Very Handy for people who rotate their monitor all the time, like me.
gujubhai Tries to connect to http port on a microsoft site, talk of intel software trying to link to a microsoft site !!! if ur firewall has caught it and is asking for allow/deny option, safely say deny. i do not want either intel or m$ to know anything about me or my comp.
ElApe Keymonitor to acces various options, frequently delivered with various video cards such as ATI and INTEL. Can cause performance issues by hogging CPU
don hunter update the display drivers and it goes away
David Panholzer das is nur ein ganz harmloser Task von HP für die Tasten am Laptop  See also: Link
C if I run Trojan Guarder it picks this file up as a trojan virus and can't seem to kill it. It also doesn't appear in processes on Task Manager which seems odd! Should it stay or should it go?
Christie Related to Intel 845 Graphics Driver, occurs after installation of Windows XP SP2, resolved after updating graphics driver  See also: Link
I have 3 files on my computer named hkcmd. 2 dont belong. 2 have the same file size, saved in different places. 2 = deleted.
Headshot IDK I have sp2 and my comp runs perfectly fine.
BearCreekMan Intel Keyboard Hotkey Utility
Ben Background Process to enable Intel Graphics Hotkeys. Crashes are due to an old version of the driver. Check your chipset version and update  See also: Link
bitten_not_again75 aparently linked to yahoo search bar also google bars in fact any pc/laptop that has a search bar malicious code can be ran through it not to mention the colation of information havn't removed it yet cos this ain't my pc and i don't have this problem but im sure if its disabled in the registry it will stop it from working
rick computer goes crazily slow (especially on a network, downloading pictures and such)
Dorko It actually can be a virus, if a virus, etc. spyware modifies it. read more on the link  See also: Link
it's from Intel but it can be infected
Brendan Just more lousy overhead to slow me down, Nuke it.
White Hat This program's natural settings is harmless but as the addage goes you can save any program to any name. Some Malware writers will create a program that will add to the existing program causing it to do whatever they want it to.
Travis Crincoli Original file not dangerous, but several virus's use this file as a shield.
Jim found 3 copies, 1 was 24kb, and had no version data in the properties dlg, deleted it. the other 2 had older dates and version data indicating intel as the author.
suraj it appears after i install a fresh copy of windows xp , i think my windows copy has this thing.. i think it's giving me some problem.
Christopher Parr I think that Intel should have named it something much better. Me being a MySpace user, thought that is stands for hack commented?[hkcmd] or something that had to do with hacking. but delete remove it by terminating the process tree, because your PC will run much, much smoother.
The-Bleh-Bleh Well, all I know is when I try to disable it in msconfig, at startup i get an error saying windows just recovered from critical error. Which is annoying, so i just leave it alone, though it takes 4 mbs of ram... disabling through control panel wont work.
The-Bleh-Bleh Ok, update to last post. This takes 4mb of ram, so heres how to make it not run.
The-Bleh-Bleh Sorry for triple post, didn't mean to press enter XD. Alright so heres how to disable it. Go to your driver options and uncheck enable hotkeys. Then go to msconfig and uncheck hkcmd on the startup tab. Now restart and its gone. worked for me =)
Me If it is a hotkey thing, why is Zone Alarm catching it trying to access the internet? I denied it access and my computer hasn't exploded... yet. ; )
Mr.Anderson It is locking out option, I.e. like taskmanager, change pass, and lock computer
HackThis! I challenged a hacker community to hack my pc, and Sygate firewall almost immediately reported application hijacking, and yes it was the infamous hkcmd.exe trying yo establish a connection with another computer. Id delete it if I were you, my pc works just fine without it.

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