msnupdate.exe

Discussion:

msnupdate.exe

(too old to reply)

2008-07-31 20:42:00 UTC

I keep getting a message at the end of an online session to run
msnupdate.exe. It only happens on my desktop not on my laptop. I haven't
allowed msnupdate.exe to update but am confused by information on the
internet about what this file is. I have Norton installed on my computer and
it is always up to date and scans incoming emails.
Should I allow msnupdate.exe to run or is there a way to eliminate the file.
I have run searches on my computer but have been unable to find the file.
Is it in fact a trojan?
Help, please..... mary lou

PA Bear [MS MVP]

2008-07-31 23:51:15 UTC

Permalink

See http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/msnupdate.exe-8267.html

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log
to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use (in
conjuction with some other utilities). HijackThis will NOT fix anything on
its own, but it will help you to both identify and remove any
hijackware/spyware with assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html, or other appropriate forums for review
by an expert in such matters, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA or Geek Squad) computer repair shop.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

Post by ml
I keep getting a message at the end of an online session to run
msnupdate.exe. It only happens on my desktop not on my laptop. I haven't
allowed msnupdate.exe to update but am confused by information on the
internet about what this file is. I have Norton installed on my computer
and it is always up to date and scans incoming emails.
Should I allow msnupdate.exe to run or is there a way to eliminate the file.
I have run searches on my computer but have been unable to find the file.
Is it in fact a trojan?
Help, please..... mary lou

BeritB [MSFT]

2008-08-04 17:34:24 UTC

Permalink

Hi Mary Lou,

MSNUpdate.exe is the part of the MSN auto update process. This indicates
that the latest version of MSN has finished downloading and is waiting to
complete the install. It is rather persistent and will ask you for
permission every time you exit MSN.

Once you allow the update, it should complete the install in less than a
minute.

FYI:
Only customers who are running Vista will see this prompt.

Thanks,
Berit Benson
Community Leader - MSN Internet Access
--
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Post by ml
I keep getting a message at the end of an online session to run
msnupdate.exe. It only happens on my desktop not on my laptop. I haven't
allowed msnupdate.exe to update but am confused by information on the
internet about what this file is. I have Norton installed on my computer and
it is always up to date and scans incoming emails.
Should I allow msnupdate.exe to run or is there a way to eliminate the file.
I have run searches on my computer but have been unable to find the file.
Is it in fact a trojan?
Help, please..... mary lou

PA Bear [MS MVP]

2008-08-04 18:24:59 UTC

Permalink

Maybe not, depending on where the file's located; cf.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/msnupdate.exe-8267.html &
http://www.sophos.com/security/analyses/viruses-and-spyware/w32rbotaam.html
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

Post by BeritB [MSFT]
Hi Mary Lou,
MSNUpdate.exe is the part of the MSN auto update process. This indicates
that the latest version of MSN has finished downloading and is waiting to
complete the install. It is rather persistent and will ask you for
permission every time you exit MSN.
Once you allow the update, it should complete the install in less than a
minute.
Only customers who are running Vista will see this prompt.
Thanks,
Berit Benson
Community Leader - MSN Internet Access

Post by ml
I keep getting a message at the end of an online session to run
msnupdate.exe. It only happens on my desktop not on my laptop. I haven't
allowed msnupdate.exe to update but am confused by information on the
internet about what this file is. I have Norton installed on my computer
and it is always up to date and scans incoming emails.
Should I allow msnupdate.exe to run or is there a way to eliminate the
file. I have run searches on my computer but have been unable to find
the
file.
Is it in fact a trojan?
Help, please..... mary lou

BeritB [MSFT]

2008-08-04 18:47:05 UTC

Permalink

Greetings,

Thank you for the excellent clarification on this file. If this message is
appearing for any OS other than Vista, it is not our update file.

I will post back with further information on how to determine if this is our
update file versus spyware.

Thanks,
Berit
--
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
Maybe not, depending on where the file's located; cf.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/msnupdate.exe-8267.html &
http://www.sophos.com/security/analyses/viruses-and-spyware/w32rbotaam.html
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

Post by ml
I keep getting a message at the end of an online session to run
msnupdate.exe. It only happens on my desktop not on my laptop. I haven't
allowed msnupdate.exe to update but am confused by information on the
internet about what this file is. I have Norton installed on my computer
and it is always up to date and scans incoming emails.
Should I allow msnupdate.exe to run or is there a way to eliminate the
file. I have run searches on my computer but have been unable to find
the
file.
Is it in fact a trojan?
Help, please..... mary lou

PA Bear [MS MVP]

2008-08-04 19:18:43 UTC

Permalink

Unless and until Mary Lou chooses to inform us of her Windows version, why
bother?

Post by BeritB [MSFT]
Greetings,
Thank you for the excellent clarification on this file. If this message is
appearing for any OS other than Vista, it is not our update file.
I will post back with further information on how to determine if this is our
update file versus spyware.
Thanks,
Berit

Post by ml
I keep getting a message at the end of an online session to run
msnupdate.exe. It only happens on my desktop not on my laptop. I haven't
allowed msnupdate.exe to update but am confused by information on the
internet about what this file is. I have Norton installed on my computer
and it is always up to date and scans incoming emails.
Should I allow msnupdate.exe to run or is there a way to eliminate the
file. I have run searches on my computer but have been unable to find
the
file.
Is it in fact a trojan?
Help, please..... mary lou

2008-08-04 21:10:01 UTC

Permalink

I have had a difficult time getting back to this spot. The link that
appeared with the email notification continued giving me a blank page with
"DONE". Finally realized I had to delete part of the link to get here. I am
running Vista and had just about decided, after running virus scans and
spyware scans that resulted in nothing, that the file must be OK. I do keep
all my virus and antispyware up to date. Have known a few folks who have
lost their computers with those problems.
If you think the file is safe I will let it do it's thing. I did get so far
with searches to find that it is in the core files. I have forgotten the
whole string but it does appear legit based on all the reading I've done.
I'm just a little nervous and wonder why Vista is different than XP sp3 in
this instance. Thanks for the responses and perhaps this will help other
folks out there with the same questions. mary lou

Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
Unless and until Mary Lou chooses to inform us of her Windows version, why
bother?

Post by ml
I keep getting a message at the end of an online session to run
msnupdate.exe. It only happens on my desktop not on my laptop. I haven't
allowed msnupdate.exe to update but am confused by information on the
internet about what this file is. I have Norton installed on my computer
and it is always up to date and scans incoming emails.
Should I allow msnupdate.exe to run or is there a way to eliminate the
file. I have run searches on my computer but have been unable to find
the
file.
Is it in fact a trojan?
Help, please..... mary lou

2008-08-04 22:19:08 UTC

Permalink

Have another question about this I forgot to ask. Why is the file MSN6
associated with msn explorer 9.6.............................? Is MSN still
based on that original version? ml

Post by ml
I have had a difficult time getting back to this spot. The link that
appeared with the email notification continued giving me a blank page with
"DONE". Finally realized I had to delete part of the link to get here. I am
running Vista and had just about decided, after running virus scans and
spyware scans that resulted in nothing, that the file must be OK. I do keep
all my virus and antispyware up to date. Have known a few folks who have
lost their computers with those problems.
If you think the file is safe I will let it do it's thing. I did get so far
with searches to find that it is in the core files. I have forgotten the
whole string but it does appear legit based on all the reading I've done.
I'm just a little nervous and wonder why Vista is different than XP sp3 in
this instance. Thanks for the responses and perhaps this will help other
folks out there with the same questions. mary lou

Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
Unless and until Mary Lou chooses to inform us of her Windows version, why
bother?

Post by ml
I keep getting a message at the end of an online session to run
msnupdate.exe. It only happens on my desktop not on my laptop. I haven't
allowed msnupdate.exe to update but am confused by information on the
internet about what this file is. I have Norton installed on my computer
and it is always up to date and scans incoming emails.
Should I allow msnupdate.exe to run or is there a way to eliminate the
file. I have run searches on my computer but have been unable to find
the
file.
Is it in fact a trojan?
Help, please..... mary lou

...winston

2008-08-05 02:15:09 UTC

Permalink

Iirc...Msn Explorer was the name of the software prior to it being branded Msn Premium.
9.6 is the current auto-update version. Using the same name of an earlier executable is not out of the ordinary. Features have
changed significantly since it was called Msn Explorer.

--
...winston
ms-mvp mail

Post by ml
Have another question about this I forgot to ask. Why is the file MSN6
associated with msn explorer 9.6.............................? Is MSN still
based on that original version? ml

Earle Horton

2008-08-05 04:00:54 UTC

Permalink

MSN6 is the name of the directory (in %appdata%) where MSN keeps various
configuration files. I imagine that it is still named MSN6 because it would
have been a lot of trouble to move it while keeping users' data and settings
intact.

Earle

Post by ...winston
Iirc...Msn Explorer was the name of the software prior to it being branded Msn Premium.
9.6 is the current auto-update version. Using the same name of an earlier
executable is not out of the ordinary. Features have changed significantly
since it was called Msn Explorer.
--
...winston
ms-mvp mail

Post by ml
Have another question about this I forgot to ask. Why is the file MSN6
associated with msn explorer 9.6.............................? Is MSN still
based on that original version? ml

...winston

2008-08-06 06:44:19 UTC

Permalink

I don't recall the op ever making it clear where she saw MSN6...dialog box, browsing in Explorer etc..
--
...winston
ms-mvp mail

MSN6 is the name of the directory (in %appdata%) where MSN keeps various configuration files. I imagine that it is still named
MSN6 because it would have been a lot of trouble to move it while keeping users' data and settings intact.
Earle

Post by ...winston
Iirc...Msn Explorer was the name of the software prior to it being branded Msn Premium.
9.6 is the current auto-update version. Using the same name of an earlier executable is not out of the ordinary. Features have
changed significantly since it was called Msn Explorer.
--
...winston
ms-mvp mail

Post by ml
Have another question about this I forgot to ask. Why is the file MSN6
associated with msn explorer 9.6.............................? Is MSN still
based on that original version? ml

Earle Horton

2008-08-06 20:32:08 UTC

Permalink

I don't either but that's the only place I have seen it, except for Regedit.
(:oþ

Earle

Post by ...winston
I don't recall the op ever making it clear where she saw MSN6...dialog box,
browsing in Explorer etc..
--
...winston
ms-mvp mail

Post by Earle Horton
MSN6 is the name of the directory (in %appdata%) where MSN keeps various
configuration files. I imagine that it is still named MSN6 because it
would have been a lot of trouble to move it while keeping users' data and
settings intact.
Earle

Post by ...winston
Iirc...Msn Explorer was the name of the software prior to it being branded Msn Premium.
9.6 is the current auto-update version. Using the same name of an
earlier executable is not out of the ordinary. Features have changed
significantly since it was called Msn Explorer.
--
...winston
ms-mvp mail

Post by ml
Have another question about this I forgot to ask. Why is the file MSN6
associated with msn explorer 9.6.............................? Is MSN still
based on that original version? ml

...winston

2008-08-06 23:54:20 UTC

Permalink

Thanks..
--
...winston
ms-mvp mail

I don't either but that's the only place I have seen it, except for Regedit. (:oþ
Earle

Post by ...winston
I don't recall the op ever making it clear where she saw MSN6...dialog box, browsing in Explorer etc..

David Allen

2010-11-05 07:17:18 UTC

Permalink

C:\Users\"Your Name"\AppData\Roaming\MSN6\msnupdate.exe
This is where it is located in Vista.

Post by ml
I keep getting a message at the end of an online session to run
msnupdate.exe. It only happens on my desktop not on my laptop. I haven't
allowed msnupdate.exe to update but am confused by information on the
internet about what this file is. I have Norton installed on my computer and
it is always up to date and scans incoming emails.
Should I allow msnupdate.exe to run or is there a way to eliminate the file.
I have run searches on my computer but have been unable to find the file.
Is it in fact a trojan?
Help, please..... mary lou

Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
See http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/msnupdate.exe-8267.html
Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315
Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log
to an appropriate forum.
Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use (in
conjuction with some other utilities). HijackThis will NOT fix anything on
its own, but it will help you to both identify and remove any
hijackware/spyware with assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html, or other appropriate forums for review
by an expert in such matters, not here.**
If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA or Geek Squad) computer repair shop.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
Unless and until Mary Lou chooses to inform us of her Windows version, why
bother?

Post by ml
Have another question about this I forgot to ask. Why is the file MSN6
associated with msn explorer 9.6.............................? Is MSN still
based on that original version? ml

Post by ...winston
Iirc...Msn Explorer was the name of the software prior to it being branded Msn Premium.
9.6 is the current auto-update version. Using the same name of an earlier executable is not out of the ordinary. Features have
changed significantly since it was called Msn Explorer.
--
...winston
ms-mvp mail

Post by Earle Horton
MSN6 is the name of the directory (in %appdata%) where MSN keeps various
configuration files. I imagine that it is still named MSN6 because it would
have been a lot of trouble to move it while keeping users' data and settings
intact.
Earle

Assuming you are running MSN Explorer (AKA MSN 9.x), it should be legit.

Thanks all. Glad you are all here to lend a helping hand. mary lou

I do not recall the op ever making it clear where she saw MSN6...dialog box, browsing in Explorer etc..
--
...winston
ms-mvp mail

I do not either but that is the only place I have seen it, except for Regedit.
(:o?
Earle

Post by ...winston
Thanks..
--
...winston
ms-mvp mail

Post by Pam D
Thanks Nary Lou and Berit as I had the same question. Pam D.
Submitted via EggHeadCafe - Software Developer Portal of Choice
ASP.NET 4.0 browser capabilities
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/tutorials/aspnet/668c15e2-9fe5-4a7a-94ac-001af0bf4d1b/aspnet-40-browser-capabilities.aspx

David Allen

2010-11-05 07:20:01 UTC

Permalink

C:\Users\David\AppData\Roaming\MSN6\msnupdate.exe
This is where it is located in Vista