msiexec.exe - what is this process and why is it needed

To ensure the full operation of the operating system, it needs running processes that users could see in the "Task Manager" window. These processes are very many, and everyone is responsible for something. You can divide them into system and user. In the second case, nothing critical will happen when they are closed - maximum, some program will close. In the first case, the consequences may be more serious.

In this article we will talk about msiexec.exe - what kind of process it is, what is its function, where is the file that launches it, how to end the process and what will happen because of this, and something else. Read the full article to understand the nature of this process.

Functions

Like most system processes running in Windows, msiexec.exe is an application from Microsoft. Its main task is to install MSI files. Most people are used to using the EXE format for installing games and programs, but there is a separate category of applications that have the MSI extension. So, the presented process allows you to run it as an EXE. In other words, you simply won’t notice the difference in installation.

Accordingly, the process starts immediately after opening the MSI file, and ends after it is closed. So we found out what this process is - msiexec.exe. But this was only a function, but there is still something to talk about.

File location

Knowing what this process is in the computer - msiexec.exe, some users would like to know its location on the disk. By default, this file is located in the System32 folder, which is located on the local C drive in the Windows directory. But in order not to guess the exact location, you can use the Task Manager functions. So, you need to do the following:

1. Launch the Task Manager. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
2. Click on the "Processes" tab.
3. Find msiexec.exe.
4. Click on the RMB process.
5. Choose "Open file storage location" or "File location" from the menu (depending on OS version).

A window of the file manager "Explorer" will open, in which the folder of this process will be opened, and it will be highlighted. Now you know what this process is - msiexec.exe, and where it is located. Now let's talk about what will happen if it is closed.

Process completion

It’s worth saying right away that you can complete the process, and this will not break the operating system, but doing so is extremely undesirable. msiexec.exe is responsible for running installers of the MSI format, respectively, if this process is completed, then the installation of programs through the installer of this format will not work. But after restarting the computer everything will return to normal again.

If you still dared to close it, then you need to do the following:

1. Launch the Task Manager. How to do this was described earlier.
2. Go to the "Processes" tab.
3. Find the desired process in the list.
4. Click on it once LMB to highlight.
5. Click the "End Process" button, which is located in the lower right part of the window.

After that, a warning should appear that explains the risks of this action, but if you are sure, click "End the process."

msiexec.exe is constantly working

Knowing what kind of process is msiexec.exe, we can understand that it should work only if we install the application through an installer with the MSI extension. But what to do if you notice that it works constantly, because by doing so it additionally loads the central processor of the computer. In this case, you need to go to the operating system services and check the "Windows Installer". In case of detection of the automatic start mode, you need to change it to "Manual".

Now you know the functions of the msiexec.exe process, what kind of process it is, what happens if you close it and what kind of problems can happen to it. We hope the article helped find answers to all questions.