Winlogon.exe Errors – How to Repair Them

Winlogon.exe is a very important component of Microsoft’s operating system, as it handles the security and loading of the user profile, during the log in phase. It also handles desktop locking, when the screensaver has been activated, requiring the user to re-authenticate. Because of the importance of this component, it is a very common target by hackers, as they use malicious files and programs to modify its function and resource usage.

A Closer Look

The Winlogon component is responsible for implementing time-out operations, loading the desktop, and configuring user Group Policy in older versions of Windows (prior to Windows Vista).

This component also checks your copy of Windows to ensure that it’s legitimate.

Synopses of this components responsibility are:

• Protection for Desktop and Windows
• Loading User Profile
• Screensaver Control
• Network Provider Support

The Dangers of Winlogin.exe

Winlogon.exe is a component that was created primarily for handling the login and logout process of the operating system, which is why it’s so important, and is also why Winlogon.exe errors tend to be so severe.

There are a number of different catalysts, responsible for errors in this component, however the most popular are:

• Viruses
• Trojans
• Malware
• System File Corruption

When it comes to viruses/malware/Trojans, typically the computer hacker will attempt to disguise the malicious file on your system by naming it Winlogon.exe; however the biggest giveaway is the fact that the file will be stored in a totally unique location on your hard drive, as opposed to the original files default location (%SystemRoot%\System32).

Other malware/viruses/Trojans may have filenames that on first glance appear to be the same as the original component, only to have a digit or letter altered. The particular malicious files that you should be on the watch out for are:

W32.Netsky.D
This is an email worm virus that automatically distributes itself across the internet using the email addresses stored in mail client software.

Backdoor.Win32.SdBot.ada
This is a backdoor Trojan horse virus, which, once on your system, enables the hacker to gain access to its files.

Troj/Madr-B
This is another Trojan horse virus, which enables the hacker to download files off your computer, once it’s established a presence on your computer.

Symptoms of Winlogon.exe Errors

When you encounter a Winlogon.exe related error, usually you’ll see one of the following error messages:

“Winlogon.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close”

“The instruction at XXXXXXX referenced memory at XXXXXXX. The memory could not be written”

These error messages may appear while the computer is booting up and lead to the following:

1. The computer crashes while booting up, forcing it to shut down. The random crashing may also result in data corruption, effectively deteriorating system performance.

2. When you leave the computer idle for extensive periods of time, the computer becomes unresponsive and the Winlogon.exe file starts using 100% of your CPU resources.

3. While using your computer, you receive a BSOD message, rendering your computer inoperable.

Fixing These Errors

When it comes to fixing these errors, there are a number of things you have to consider, such as, the type of symptoms you are receiving. Error messages during boot up are strong indications of a malware infection, whereas BSOD messages are usually due to system file corruption.

When the file uses 100% of the CPU usages, that’s usually an indication of several things, such as a program conflict or hardware incompatibility issues, all of which I cover in this section; which is why I recommend you go through everything, until you find a solution that works for you.

Run Registry Scan

Before attempting any other method of repairing this error, you’ll want to run a registry scan. This is because corruption within the registry is capable of causing a plethora of problems for your computer, with winlogon.exe errors being of no exception. The effects of such corruption may manifest itself in a number of ways, such as degraded system performance, and certain applications ceasing to work.

Fixing the registry is as simple as downloading the appropriate software and running it, however, there’s also a second option, which entails manually fixing the registry; a method I do not recommend.

With that said, I recommend you use Advanced System Repair Pro to clean your registry. This tool has a number of functions, in addition to its ability to repair your registry, making it an ideal system optimisation suite. Anyway, you can access this tool here:

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT ADVANCED SYSTEM REPAIR PRO

Run Repair Installation

If the step mentioned above fails to fix the error, then you should definitely to consider running a repair installation. The main advantage of doing a repair installation is the fact that your personal data is not removed during the reinstallation process.

Anyway, for more information on how to carry out this process manually, I suggest you checkout my post on speeding up your computer.

Alternatively you could use the Windows repair tool called Reimage, which is capable of reinstalling your operating system without the requirement of a Windows CD, while repairing the lingering effects of corruption to your system, all with a simple click of a button, so very little expertise are required.

For more information on this excellent tool, I suggest you visit the following link:

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT REIMAGE

The solution(s) below are for ADVANCED level computer users. If you are a beginner to intermediate computer user, I highly recommend you use the automated tool(s) above!

Run Antivirus Scan

If the above methods didn’t work, then it’s very likely that you have a virus on your computer. To remove this virus, there are a number of steps you will have to take. However, the first will be to actually run the appropriate antivirus software.

1. If you are unable to boot into your computer, then you will have to boot into Safe Mode, for information on how to do this, I suggest you check out my post on removing the Trojan virus.

Note: If you do boot into Safe Mode, make sure you select Safe Mode with Networking, so that you can access the internet.

2. Once you’ve booted into your system, you will need to download and install SpyHunter from here:

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT SPYHUNTER

Note: The program, once installed, should automatically update itself and run a scan of your system. However, in the event that it does not, do the following:

3. Click on Malware/PC Scan, then un-tick the box next to Quick Scan, then click on Start Scan.

Run TDSSKiller

Once you’ve run the malware scan, I recommend you run an anti-rootkit tool to remove any lingering files attached to the virus. To do this, simply do the following.

1. First, download TDSSKiller: http://media.kaspersky.com/

Note: Save the file to any location on your hard drive.

2. Once you’ve saved it, double click on the tdsskiller.exe file, to run it.

3. Once it’s running, click on Start scan, to begin the scanning process.

Use System File Checker

System File Checker is a tool that comes as standard with all Microsoft Windows versions. Of all the various methods, using this particular tool is amongst the quickest and most convenient ways for you to tackle this error. Basically, this tool will go through all your system files and replace any that are corrupt or missing.

For information on how to use this tool, I suggest you check out my post on fixing Winsock errors.

Reset BIOS Settings

If you’re still battling with the error even after reinstalling Windows, then the problem could be due to a hardware setting. In which case, setting your BIOS back to default, could fix the problem. This can be done by doing the following.

1. First, turn on your computer and press either the Del or F1 key, during the POST (Power on Self Test).

Note: The key you need to press varies, depending on your motherboard brand. I recommend reading your computer manual for more information on how to access the BIOS.

2. Once in the BIOS simply select Load Optimised Defaults and exit.

Disconnect USB Devices

If there are any USB devices connected to your computer, then you may want to consider disconnecting them, as a last resort. Once you’ve done that, restart your computer. If the problem no longer persists, then you will have to update the drivers for the specific device(s) that you disconnected before reconnecting them.

Are you looking for a way to repair all the errors on your computer?

If the answer is Yes, then I highly recommend you check out Advanced System Repair Pro.

Which is the leading registry cleaner program online that is able to cure your system from a number of different ailments such as Windows Installer Errors, Runtime Errors, Malicious Software, Spyware, System Freezing, Active Malware, Blue Screen of Death Errors, Rundll Errors, Slow Erratic Computer Performance, ActiveX Errors and much more. Click here to check it out NOW!