How to Get Rid of the Dns.exe Virus?

For the Microsoft Windows DNS server to run properly, it requires the dns.exe file. Dns.exe, being a system process, means that it should not be tampered with unless it is faulty. As you know, executable files might, sometimes, harm your computer. If there are a lot of processes running that consume much of your CPU resources, some of them could be malicious files introduced into your system by hackers.

Therefore, you should be able to identify a fake dns.exe file in your system. In this article, we will recommend some tips on how to remove the dns.exe virus. But first, let’s find out what it is and if it is a safe file.

What is Dns.exe?

Dns.exe is an executable file developed by SolarWinds, and it is part of the SolarWinds Advanced Subnet Calculator program. This file is an essential part of Windows, but it can cause problems. Its file sizes are 421,888 bytes (50% of all occurrences), 450,048 bytes, 6,748 bytes, or 463,872 bytes.

What Does Dns.exe Do?

The file is executed whenever you start the Microsoft Windows Server Suites. When activated, this process handles the Microsoft Windows DNS server. In other words, the dns.exe process allows the Windows Server to service DNS requests from hosts on a particular network. Therefore, it is necessary for the stability and secure operation of your server. Unless it is causing problems, you shouldn’t stop this process.

Is Dns.exe a Safe File?

The authentic dns.exe file is not a virus; it is a safe Microsoft Windows process. Unfortunately, developers of malware programs like worms, viruses, and Trojans may give their files a similar name to escape detection.

Apart from running a malware scan, you can also recognize suspicious variants through any of these methods:

• Check the Location of the Dns.exe File.Usually, the file resides in C:\Program Files\SolarWinds\. If dns.exe is hosted in a subfolder of C:\Windows, then its security rating is 70% dangerous. Likewise, if it resides in a subfolder of C:\Windows\System32, then its security rating is 56% dangerous. And if the file is hosted in a subfolder of C:\Program Files\Common Files, then its security rating is 36% dangerous.
• Check the Behavior of the Dns.exe Process: To check its legitimacy, open the Task Manager and then navigate to View > Select Columns. After that, choose “Image Path Name” to create a location column in the Task Manager. You will be able to check a suspicious directory from here. Besides this, you should also find out if the process is consuming a lot of system resources.
• System Scan:Use a more accurate tool like Outbyte Anti-Malware to run a malware scan and ensure that the dns.exe process on your computer is not a rogue file. The program will check all corners of your computer to detect sleeping viruses, keyloggers, Trojans, trackers, and other malware entities that might have disguised as executable files.

How to Remove the Dns.exe File?

If the dns.exe process in your computer is malicious, then you should get rid of it, including the associated malware files. You can accomplish this task by using a reliable antivirus program. Sometimes, the functionality of your antivirus may affect the deletion of the dns.exe virus. If that is the case, boot your computer into Safe Mode with Networking, then run the security program.

You can also resolve the problem by rolling back to a point before the infection. But keep in mind that this method may not remove infected files in your system.

And if it is not a virus but you’re experiencing issues with it, then you can uninstall the program that executes it. The simplest way to uninstall the SolarWinds Advanced Subnet Calculator program is to use its uninstaller. But if you cannot find its installer, you can remove it from the Control Panel. Here is the process:

1. Click on the Start menu and choose Control Panel.
2. Now, go to Programs if you are using Windows 8, or Uninstall a Program for Windows Vista/7/10. For Windows XP, click Add or Remove Programs.
3. After that, search for the SolarWinds Advanced Subnet Calculator program, then click Uninstall. If you are using Windows XP, click the Remove button.
4. Follow the next prompts to complete the process.

How to Fix DNS.exe Errors?

Sometimes, dns.exe may be legitimate, but still, gives your errors. If that is the case, check for software functionality issues or driver updates. Corrupted files may also trigger dns.exe errors. For this reason, keep your computer clean and tidy. The most effective way to get rid of junk files and illegal registry entries is to scan your computer with a robust PC cleaning software. We recommend you use Outbyte PC Repair advanced features.

Should the issue persist, try to remember the last thing you did before the problem appeared. For severe cases, consider repairing your installation. And if nothing helps, reinstall your Windows.