Some users have found a suspicious ASGT.exe process on their computer, which hangs in the task manager all the time. Some of them even note the high load from this file. Other victims have complaints about unexpected restart of applications, and the report indicates the reason – ASGT.exe. A characteristic feature of the problem is that it appears in all versions of the OS, starting with Windows 7. All the listed problems are a reason for gamesqa experts to examine the file and give advice on its further fate.
What is ASGT.exe?
The original ASGT.exe file is a software component owned by ASUS GPU Tweak and signed by ASUS Corp. This is not a required Windows process at all, so it can be disabled without harm to the OS. The original ASUS GPU Tweak is a service used by users to overclock graphics cards on Asus desktop and laptop computers. The utility first appeared on systems in 2011 and has received over 30 updates since then. Now the program works with most graphics processors and supports flexible configuration.
ASGT stands for ASUS Graphics Processing Unit. By default, the file is located in the C: Windows System32 folder or in C: Windows SysWOW64 . Usually the parent application comes preinstalled or comes bundled with drivers for your Asus graphics card.
How Safe Is ASGT.exe?
If a genuine process is installed on the system, it is absolutely safe for the system, because it has the signature of a trusted publisher. When inconveniences arise, in the form of consuming a large amount of resources, it is possible to disable the process without any consequences.
Important! Most of the most dangerous virus programs today use camouflage tactics. They pretend to be trusted processes using their names and thus avoid detection by antivirus utilities. To verify that Windows is indeed the original ASGT.exe file, it is worth running a simple diagnostic.
What to look for:
- The presence of the parent application in the system. If Windows has ASUS GPU Tweak, there is no reason not to trust this file. Otherwise, there is a high risk of viruses infecting the OS. Unless, this is a leftover file that was not deleted along with the parent program.
- The current location of the file. The original component is always in one of the above locations. If its location is different, it is most likely malware. You can find out the location of the process from the “Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Enter) by right-clicking in the” Processes “tab on the ASGT.exe file and selecting” Open file location “.
If you have reasonable doubts, you should use a free service to scan for viruses in files – Virustotal… It will analyze the component and give its solution.
How to deal with a security threat?
If the suspicions turned out to be not unfounded, you need to scan the system. It is appropriate to use antivirus software to diagnose the type of infection and remove it. True, not everyone is able to correctly determine the type of file, so sometimes you have to scan the system with several anti-virus software. They must definitely be updated.
In the absence of antivirus, it is recommended to use a simple Malwarebytes scanner. It can work in parallel with existing antivirus software, it detects disguised malware quite accurately and is distributed free of charge. Most likely, after scanning, the application isolates dangerous elements. All that remains is to restart your computer.
How do I troubleshoot ASGT.exe crashes?
If ASGT.exe is not a virus and this is confirmed during diagnostic measures, it can be safely disabled or removed for the system. OS functionality will not diminish. If you intend to remove the file, it is better to disable it from the parent application.
Important! If a user uses ASUS GPU Tweak to overclock the clock speed of a video card, the problem lies not in the utility itself, but in the overclocked GPU performance. It is better to lower the frequency of the GPU, it will most likely lead to a fix for the crashes.
When the decrease in the GPU frequency has not affected the crashes in any way, it is better to turn off the processor:
- Click on the keyboard shortcut Win + R, insert the command “msconfig” into the “Run” window and press Enter.
- Confirm the request from the UAC (User Account Control Service).
- In the configuration section of the system go to the “Services” tab.
- Select only the ASUS GPU Tweak service (ASGT.exe) and click the Stop All button.
- Click on the “Apply” button, close the window and restart the computer.
How to remove ASGT.exe?
If there is no need for the utility and there is a desire to completely get rid of ASUS GPU Tweak with its component, this must be done correctly.
Instructions:
- Right-click on Start and go to “Programs and Features”.
- Find the name of the parent ASUS GPU Tweak application, select it and click the “Remove” button.
- Follow the instructions to uninstall the utility.
- Restart your PC.
Although ASGT.exe is generally a safe file, it can sometimes cause all sorts of crashes and errors. It is quite possible to remove it, it does not entail any consequences for the system.