Question
Issue: How to Fix SoundMixer.exe Error on Windows?
Hello, all. I have an irritating piece of bug, which emerges on startup or when I attempt to run Command Prompt as administrator. The error reports Soundmixer.exe file error.
It started showing right after installing Autodesk app manager, so I guess the program broke something. I can’t find a tutorial on how to fix it, so maybe you could help me?
Solved Answer
For the past couple of weeks, Windows 10 users created several threads reporting a Soundmixer.exe error. The error says that the soundmixer.exe file is missing or corrupt or that the file name is not correct.
The error shows up on Windows 10 startup[1] or when trying to launch Windows Command Prompt as Administrator. In the latter case, the error pop-up does not indicate much about the problem, except that provide a full path of the file location and requires specifying the file name.
Actually, the Soundmixer.exe can also be found as smvss.exe or Sound Mixer. Cyber security experts have already included it to the list of potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and recommend avoiding it. The SoundMixer virus and its components are usually added by DEDLER-G TROJAN.[2]
The problem is that anti-virus software often fails to recognize the problem. Most of the affected PCs were running McAfee antivirus.[3] The McAfee detected the unwanted soundmixer.exe file and included it into the quarantined files list. However, even if the soundmixer.exe file is deleted by anti-virus, the other components of the malware are left intact.
As a consequence, the removal of the soundmixer.exe file triggers the error pop-up during startup saying that the .exe file is missing. That’s because the malware gets activated during Windows startup and the activation fails without one of the constituent parts.
Fixing Soundmixer.exe error on Windows 10
If your PC throws a Soundmixer.exe error, you should immediately run a scan with a professional anti-malware utility. That’s because the problem is not the missing SoundMixer files, but rather the presence of potentially unwanted program on your PC.
If the current anti-virus fails to recognize or quarantine the malware,[4] we would highly recommend using RestoroMac Washing Machine X9 or running Windows Defender Offline.
Run Windows Defender Offline
If Reimage and other tools are blocked by malware on your PC or fail to remove the pests, we would recommend running Windows Defender Offline. First of all, save any unfinished work and close currently running programs. Once done, perform the following steps:
- Press Windows key + I and open Update & Security section.
- Select Windows Defender from the left pane and click Scan Offline.
The deep scan with Windows Defender Offline usually last up to 15minutes. Delete all the potentially unwanted files detected. In case Update & Security section does not provide a Windows Defender scan offline, please try the following:
- Find a free CD, USB, or another portable data storage device. Download and run Windows Defender Online (32-bit version or 64-bit version). The tool will help you create a removable media.
- Restart your PC using the Windows Defender Offline media and scan the computer for malware and spyware.
- Eliminate detected software from the system.
Run Windows Registry Editor
If anti-malware fails to fix the error, please follow these steps:
- Press Windows key + R, type %appdata% in the run and press Enter.
- Open Microsoft folder and locate the SoundMixer folder.
- After that, press Windows key + R to open run again and type regedit.
- Press Enter to open Windows Registry Editor.
- Locate the registry entry mentioned in the OP ([HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Microsoft\\Command Processor]) and remove it.
- Now navigate to the ([HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Microsoft\\WindowsNT\\CurrentVersion\\Winlogon] directory and open winlogon registry entry.
- Check the shell sub-key and change its value to explorer.exe.
- Finally, close Windows Registry Editor and reboot the system.
Repair your Errors automatically
ugetfix.com team is trying to do its best to help users find the best solutions for eliminating their errors. If you don't want to struggle with manual repair techniques, please use the automatic software. All recommended products have been tested and approved by our professionals. Tools that you can use to fix your error are listed bellow:
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Lucia Danes is the news editor at UGetFix. She is always on the move because the eager for knowledge makes her travel around the globe and attend InfoSec events and conferences.
- ^ Tim Fisher. How to Fix Freezing & Other Issues During Windows Startup. LifeWire. Practical advice to help peopel live better with technology.
- ^ Trojan horse (computing). Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia.
- ^ Saheli Roy Choudhury. McAfee spins out of Intel to become an independent cybersecurity company. CNBC. Business news.
- ^ New Malware Attack Hits Parts of Europe. Channels NewsAsia. Reports on global developments with Asian perspectives.
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