Posts Tagged ‘igfxtray.exe’

Several laptops and computers have more hidden programs running than others because some hardware components rely on programs that come with the drivers. The file igfxtray.exe is one of them and may alarm users when it is first noticed on the Windows Task Manager. We recommend the following steps if you are having performance issues or would like to run a free scan of your PC to check for errors:

Step 1 – Click here to download and install Registry Easy for FREE

Step 2 – Select “Save File” and follow the simple installation instructions

Step 3 – Click the Scan Now button

Step 4 – Use the one-click option to fix igfxtray and any other .exe errors found. While the scan is running, you can read more about igfxtray.exe process below.

igfxtray.exe is actually a program developed by Intel for systems that use an Intel graphics processor. Intel GMA is the current name of these graphics processors that are built-in to motherboards and laptops so if you see that your hardware specs has this Intel GMA written on it, expect to see this file in your “system32” folder .

Malware Status

The description alone clearly shows that igfxtray.exe isn’t a malware at all. In fact, it doesn’t even make any attempt to connect to the Internet like other malware that steals personal information requires. There is no replication involved and is usually recognizable with the little monitor on the system tray. The tool may be helpful for some wanting to change their display settings right away or take advantage of special hotkeys.

Because of its spelling, some malware may come in the form of slightly altered spellings which are actual malware. Pay close attention to spelling of the file running and understand how it is really spelt. If you check the file’s property, it should also say “Intel” on the descriptions.

When Not Running

Since igfxtray.exe is a tray application that makes access easier, disabling it via the Task Manager will require users to go to the “Control Panel” to see the settings there. It may take a longer time to load as well since no portions of the application are in memory. However, the igfxtray.exe is a tiny application and the speed difference isn’t very noticeable when not running.

When Problems Arise

It is really rare for a problem involving igfxtray.exe to arise since it stays idle most of the time unless the user interacts with it. If ever problems do arise, it is best to make sure you update your drivers to the latest version. Some driver updates may also have updates to that tray application fixing bugs and adding new features. This problem may occur too if you install this on a computer that isn’t using the Intel graphics processor. Intel has a chip identifier utility to help with that so no time is wasted when installing.

When Memory Consumption is High

In most cases, memory consumption should never be an issue with this application. If ever plenty of usage is shown, there could be a possibility that the entire file has been replaced with a malware of the same name in the exact same location.

Fixing Problems using Registry Scanners

Use registry scanners or anti-spyware tools if you think the igfxtray.exe is a fake file. We recommend Registry Easy as our top pick which has a free trial download to scan for problems . If your file is 100% fine, but still having the same problem, simply upgrade or reinstall your driver and restart to see if the problem is fixed. Be sure too that the driver is compatible with the hardware and operating system it is meant for.

Generally the only reason to disable this is to have less items on your system or notification tray. Other than that, it is very safe to have running and can help certain users.