| All comments about userinit.exe: |
 sandeep chandu | password stealer |
 Niva Aldema | made my computer restart right after loading. I saw it when browsing in the TaskManager I noticed that name and removed it first thing the next boot (which was 5 seconds later). it didnt boot since. |
 Fred Jones | Essential part of Windows boot process. |
 Emrah Erdal | As I am using cable modem, this file blocks my internet connection. As soon as I stop the exe file from the task manager I can connect to net again... |
| Steven Hyde | The userinit.exe process is executed by windows when you log on to your computer. It will run various network and user-setup related tasks to initialise your session on the computer/network. You should leave this process running to ensure that you are logged on correctly. See also: Link |
| KevMar | Do not confuse userinit.exe with usrinit.exe, one is pert of the OS, the other is bad news |
| Midnight Cowboy | userinit.exe is just a Windows program run at login, leave it |
| Zsolt | USERINIT.EXE is part of Windows XP. Under normal circumstances, this program will run for a few seconds after you log in, and then it should disappear from the task manager. |
| kusiak | Well, its not dangerous, but some worms replace it |
| | it is active on startup but then terminates itself shortly after |
| Jonathan Mann | Steven Hyde is right, normally it's not an issue. “The userinit.exe process is executed by windows when you log on to your computer. It will run various network and user-setup related tasks to initialise your session on the computer/network. You should leave this process running to ensure that you are logged on correctly. ***FOLLOW THE LINK*** (It's possible userinit could be a Trojan too.)” |
| Codah | Do not remove. Its part of the windows logon process, on Windows Server 2003, removal of this program will result in you not being able to log in to your computer at all. I have seen spyware vendors advertising this program as a trojan or spyware. I would seriously second guess what is being said in order to get people purchasing spyware. |
| Matt | This is not a dangerous file. It runs when windows is started up, then turns itself off. |
 John | It is an essential part of Windows OS and is safe to leave it alone unless it is hooked in the registry to run extra files which are trojans. It can hooked in the registry to run gpmiabp.exe which executes a trojan horse Win32.Qoologic. If you see in the Security Task Manager Userinit.exe,gpmiabp.exe or something added to the Userinit.exe then it is hooked through the registry to run malicious files. |
| Mark | Once you log in, it might run for a few seconds. After that, it seems to terminate itself. For Windows boot |
| Ruben | This file is an essential part of your OS, however it can be exploted by various viruses and malware. Make sure your antivirus is always up to date and you should be fine. |
| Daniel at Computer Parts Unleashed. Hawkesbury ON Canada | This file blocks absolutley nothing. I have tracked it's run from boot until it shuts itself off. It does just run what is needed to logg you on PROPERLY and then terminates itself. |
| D. | it makes my cable modem loose connection every few minutes or so |
| Masilo Mokgalabone | It is User Initialisation file responsible for user login and can be hijacked by worms such as c:\recycled\svchost.exe so as to make Widows XP to logoff itself as u try to login |
| John Lawrence | I believe there are malware programs that use this file.It started to initialize about the same time I had unauthorized dialups that I had to terminate by unplugging my modem's phone line.Two unauthorized programs were on my computer at that time....Metacrawl toolbar and Yazzle (which I stopped from auto- installing) I have had Trend Micro program block and blacklist userinit on startup, with no adverse effect on network signin or any other programs I use. |
| thY_nemesYs | Malicious programs will use userinit.exe as a backdoor |
| Farbod | this file stops some crucial network services |
| Ava | it is a "Essential part of Windows boot process." It is in no way a virus, and if you are having problems with it, it has to do with other system problems you may have (aka: corrupt files or a virus) |
| | If you notice this because there are a hundred + in your task manager processes, than you more than likely have a worm. |
| devex | depend from where it was execute.. originally is windows process and very important for stability and control your logon information |
| network_masta | this file, if allowed, will allow you (when logged on) to run smoothly, if disabled the Windows GUI will freeze |
| Been there done that | essential to log on to Windows. I deleted registry keys with Userinit.exe and had to reinstall Windows. Dont remove or terminate it. |
| Greg S | Yes, This file only runs as user logs in to windows, then it self terminates. Not a threat but a necessary part of the OS. |
 | Userinit.exe in the system32 folder is necessary to log on to your computer, however it could be replaced by a userinit.exe in a different folder. Could it be used to start the virus when you log on or boot the computer? |
| butilities | Windows system file that starts when windows boot |
| Robert | On w2k machine, runs as Aserinit.exe, the A beeing alt+0197 sign. Takes 100% CPU. Can be killed in the Taskmanager. I can't find a remedy. I uppose it is a trojan which renamed the userinit. Impossible to find in the registry |
| Courtney | It is a windows logon app. It should terminate on its own shortly after windows has loaded. I recomend that it not be removed. Microsoft says that the file can be deleted by spywares. If you suspect this, you will have to reinstall it from a XP install CD by expanding the file that is on the CD. |
| Uli Dinklage | That it is a system file |
| Dave | Zone Alarm picks it up after startup is complete. Denying it access at this point doesn't seem to cause any issues. |
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