The a2guard.exe file is part of the Emsisoft Anti-Malware, and it is required to run on startup for the anti-malware to function properly. A2guard.exe is not a Windows system file and is located in the C:\Program Files folder. In most occurrences, the file size is about 224.14 MB, but it has over 15 variants. In the next section, we will provide additional information about it, including how to fix a2guard.exe errors.
Is A2guard.exe Safe?
Generally, a2guard.exe is a safe file and rarely uses too much system resources. While a2guard.exe belongs to a trusted application, it being an executable file means that it can damage your PC. First, most applications keep data on your registry and hard disk, so if you have a lot of non-systems processes running on your computer, there is a likelihood that your PC has accumulated invalid entries or has suffered fragmentation.
Some cybercriminals might also design a virus that mimics a2guard.exe. That is why it is crucial to determine if the file on your computer is legitimate. Processes like a2guard.exe can record mouse and keyboard inputs and monitor applications. For these reasons, its technical security rating is 34% dangerous.
Even if a2guard.exe is not displaying any errors at the moment, you can still find out the trustworthiness of the file by checking its location. If you cannot find it in C:\Program Files\emsisoft anti-malware\a2start.exe, it means it runs elsewhere and is likely to be a virus.
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Another way to investigate the behavior of this file is to use the Windows Task Manager. This way, you can see the impact of the a2guard.exe process on your memory, CPU, and hard disk. To access the Task Manager, follow these steps:
- Press the CTRL, Shift, and ESC keys simultaneously.
- When the Task Manager opens, navigate to the Processes tab and then search for a2guard.exe.
Can A2guard.exe Be Deleted?
A2guard.exe is a non-system process, meaning it can be disabled without any risk. But if it doesn’t trigger system issues, there is no need to delete the file. Actually, you shouldn’t delete any file with no valid reason.
According to various online sources, only 8% of PC users remove this file, meaning that it may be harmless. But we recommend that you check the legitimacy of the file yourself to access if it is harmful.
To delete the file, uninstall the application that uses it. However, there could still be virus leftovers. So, the best way to detect and fix a2guard.exe errors is to use a powerful antivirus software to scan your system. A tool like Outbyte Anti-Malware will check all corners of your computer for any virus traces, and then remove them.
Common A2guard.exe Error Messages
Even if a2guard.exe on your PC is legitimate, you may still encounter error messages related to the file. Here are some of them:
- A2guard.exe failed.
- Emsisoft Real-Time Protection has stopped working.
- A2guard.exe is not a valid Win32 application.
- Cannot find a2guard.exe.
- A2guard.exe Application Error.
- A2guard.exe not found.
- Error starting program: a2guard.exe.
- A2guard is not running.
- Faulting Application Path: a2guard.exe.
- A2guard has encountered a problem and needs to close.
In most cases, these errors are caused by the application executing the process. They may occur during the execution of the Emsisoft Anti-Malware program, installation of the software, or during the startup or shutdown of Windows. Keeping a record of where your error message occurs will help you when troubleshooting the problem.
How to Remove a2guard.exe from Windows?
If you suspect that a2guard.exe in your computer may be infected with a virus or giving you errors, then you should fix it immediately. There are a few ways to remove it from your computer. The easiest way is to fix the problem is to uninstall the Emsisoft Anti-Malware program from the Control Panel.
If it is a minor issue, you can just update the application and try running it again. But if you have a bigger problem, try to remember the last thing you did before the error occurred, then rectify the issue. Alternatively, you can just roll back to a previous working point. And if a virus is to blame, it is better to scan your computer with an antivirus program, which will remove the faulty a2guard.exe file.
Other measures include cleaning up your PC. It is one of the easiest ways to avoid most computer errors. To accomplish this task, run the SFC/scannow command to clean your hard drive. For a systemwide cleaning, use a reliable PC repair tool to automate the process. A cleaner like Outbyte PC Repair will scan your computer for junk files and viruses, and then clean them up. It will also get rid of programs that you no longer need and restore corrupted system files.