What is Hkcmd.exe?

Hkcmd.exe is an executable file on your PC that is a component of the Intel Common User Interface. This file serves as the hotkey interpreter of Intel. As an executable file, it can run upon startup even without a visible Windows.

This file is designed to control all video-related hotkeys, execute some quick keyboard commands, and also access the customized graphics properties of Intel. This means if your computer has an Intel graphics card, you may press the right key combination and be able to perform various actions. For instance, if you press the CTRL + ALT + F12 keys, you can launch the Graphics and Media Control Panel of Intel.

Is Hkcmd.exe a Virus?

Every time you boot up your computer, you may notice that the hkcmd.exe process is automatically enabled in Task Manager. That is probably the reason why many of you have this question in mind: “Is hkcmd.exe safe?” We’ll explain more about this here.

The truth is hkcmd.exe is a legit Intel-related process and it usually launches upon startup. But as with other EXE files, it can be infected, hence causing problems. As a matter of fact, many malware entities pretend to be the hkcmd.exe file, which when run, will only attack your device.

Now, can hkcmd.exe be removed? Because it is not an essential file that is needed by the Windows OS to run, you can always remove or disable it.

How to Disable the HKCMD Module

If you suspect that the hkcd.exe file on your PC is doing more harm than good, might as well disable it. Here are some ways to do so:

Method #1: Via Task Manager

1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
2. Find the hkcmd.exe process and hit End Process.

Method #2: Via Control Panel

1. Launch Control Panel.
2. Select Intel Extreme Graphics and disable the Hotkeys option.

Method #3: Uninstall the Hkcmd Module

If disabling the module doesn’t work, you can uninstall it completely. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run utility.
2. Into the text field, input appwiz.cpl.
3. Hit Enter.
4. Find the Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator Right-click on it and hit Uninstall.

What If Hkcmd.exe Is a Virus?

As mentioned, it is also possible that the hkcmd.exe file on your PC is a virus. It could be that the genuine hkcmd.exe file has been replaced with a malicious entity.

So, how do you tell if it’s really a virus? Normally, you will find the error message “Cannot find hkcmd.exe file” or “Hkcmd.exe has stopped working.”

Supposing that the hkcmd.exe file is infected, here are some solutions can you take:

Solution #1: Perform a malware scan.

The first thing you should do is to run a complete system scan. Check if the anti-malware scanner finds a malware entity. If it does, remove it right away.

Solution #2: Run System File Checker

The System File Checker is often run to repair any corrupted or missing system files. Here’s how to use it:

1. Into the search field, input cmd.
2. Right-click on the first item in the search results and select Run as Administrator.
3. Into the command line, input sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
4. Wait until the scan completes.
5. Restart your PC.

Solution #3: Uninstall the Intel Graphics Driver

Sometimes, you may have to uninstall the Intel Graphics driver to repair the issue. To uninstall it, follow these steps:

1. Into the search field, input Device Manager and hit Enter. The Device Manager should open now.
2. Right-click on the Intel Graphics Driver and select Uninstall Driver.
3. After uninstalling it, restart your PC. Windows will automatically install a fresh version of the driver.

Bottom Line

All your questions about the hkcmd.exe file should be answered by now. If you ever come across problems with this file, feel free to pull up this article again and try any of our recommended solutions.

Have you had issues with the hkcmd.exe file before? We’d love to know how you fixed it. Comment on it below!