3 Simple Ways To Fix agent.exe Issues. Executable files (EXE) are those that contain instructions that computers must go through in order to carry out specific functions.
A common example of this type of file is the agent.exe *32. EXE files work by simply double-clicking on the files.
The computer then executes the instructions designed by developers to run a program.
Your word processor, web browser, spreadsheet program, and every other application on your computer uses an executable file.
This makes it one of the most important types of files in a Windows OS – without EXE files like agent svc.exe, your computer programs won’t be functional.
What Is Agent.exe?
Agent.exe is a type of EXE file that often functions together with the program InstallShield Update Service for Windows. InstallShield is distributed by Flexera Software.
Its latest version is the 5.01.100.47363, and its main function is to monitor the program’s servers and check for compatibility updates for InstallShield in your computer.
Agent.exe Errors
Several users have experienced problems with having agent.exe in their computers. Most of them have issues on the invalid registry of entries, corrupt or lost files, and a malware/virus infection.
Many of these errors are often caused by:
- Corrupted Windows registry keys associated with InstallShield or agent.exe
- Malicious program deleted agent.exe or files related to it
- Corrupted agent.exe file due to virus or malware infection
- Corrupted installation of InstallShield Update Service program
3 Fixes For Agent.exe Errors
1st Fix – Disk Cleanup to Clear Out Junk Files
Over time, your system stores a lot of junk from the usual web surfing and computer usage.
If your computer starts to accumulate too much junk, it could lead your InstallShield Update Service to run slower or provide an agent.exe error. This is often due to overloaded storage or file conflicts.
Video Tutorial: Windows 10 Disk Cleanup
According to Microsoft Support, using Disk Cleanup could help solve your problem with the EXE file. It does not guarantee the fixing of the agent.exe error, but it can help your computer run faster as a temporary remedy. To run Disk Cleanup on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10:
- Click Start.
- In the search box, type the word “command” and hold the CTRL-Shift keys while you hit ENTER.
- A permission dialogue box will pop out, click YES.
- Once a black box with a blinking cursor opens, type in “cleanmgr” and hit ENTER.
Disk Cleanup will start to run – calculating how much space you can get after the cleanup. A dialogue box will appear that contains a series of check boxes. Select which files you want to clear out, such as those under the Temporary Files category. Once you’ve ticked the categories you want to erase from your computer, click OK.
2nd Fix – Run a System File Check
The Windows System File Checker (SFC) is a useful Windows tool that lets you scan and restore corrupted system files – including agent.exe and files related to it.
Video Tutorial: How To Run A System File Check (sfc scannow)
If the file checker sees a problem with your computer’s EXE files or in other system files, it will automatically attempt to fix them. To run the Windows System File Checker on XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10:
- Click Start.
- In the search box, type “Command.” Hold CTRL-Shift on your keyboard, then hit ENTER.
- You will be prompted with a dialog box. Click Yes.
- When the black box with a blinking cursor opens, type in “sfc/scannow”
- Hit ENTER
SFC will start scanning for file problems including that of agent.exe. This may take a while, but once the scan is complete, simply follow the on-screen commands that appear.
3rd Fix – Undo System Changes with Windows System Restore
Windows System Restore lets you undo certain recent actions you’ve done in your computer to help solve your problems with agent.exe. It can return your computer’s system programs and files to a version when it worked better.
Video Tutorial: System Restore In Windows 10
This saves you time from doing hours of troubleshooting to fix errors from EXE files. To use System Restore for Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, and 10:
- Click the Start button.
- In the search box, type in “System Restore” and hit ENTER.
- Click System Restore from the results and put in the admin password if you get prompted.
- The Restore Wizard will lay down a few steps for you to follow to help you select a restore point.
- Follow the steps and restore your computer.
Some people think that removing agent.exe is the best way to get rid of their issues related to the file. However, even if removing it is possible, it is not recommended.
Before planning on deleting the EXE file completely, analyze first which program caused agent.exe to produce errors.
Forum Feedback
Over at Neuber.com, about 25% of their users, as of August 2018, said it was safe:
Slow Download Speeds
An anonymous user who was wondering if it was spyware or a virus, said that Agent.exe consumes loads of data and slows down download speeds. For example, if a user is receiving 500kbs, they will only send 15kbs.
Renaming Fix
Another user who was having trouble with it interfering with Blizzard computer games stated that the program interferes with a computer’s computing processes and there is no around it.
A user can only prevent agent.exe from interfering with their computer by either not installing the program itself or by renaming it to BAD_agent.exe. The user further stated that to find all the traces of agent.exe; a user must use cmd.
On cmd root ( ie: c: ) one should enter the following command (dir /s agent.exe /p) to find all the instances of the program. This will highlight all the instances of the program on the hard drive. To get rid of the problem, a user must rename all the cases one by one. The most likely occurrence will be in the subset of “documents and settings” directory.
Roxio Creator Issues
A reader said that agent.exe caused their other computer to fail but was working on their other computer.
They suspected that it was installed with Roxio Creator DVD Edition v7 and was causing bandwidth issues.
Since he could not figure out how he could stop the program from starting on its own, he suggested that he would have to rename it from agent.exe to bad_agent.exe.
He further stated that the software component it’s a big problem for him that had affected him not once but twice.
100% CPU Use
Another poster who had issues running it with FlexNet claimed that the component runs and regenerates all the time upon a process kill.
But does nothing to the computer when not connected to the internet. Following reconnecting to the internet, it sucks up 100% CPU, and normal anti-malware and antivirus software do not detect it. He recommended that it’s better to keep an eye on the software even when not connected to the internet.
One user recommended disabling the dial-up modem on the device manager and tick in the little box not to use.
One user claimed that the software component devours 95% of the CPU in a second when playing a computer game, but recommended that to avoid the mess associated with agent.exe it would be better if you delete cache and tools files.
InstallShield Update Service Agent Involvement
One user stated that the program is actually part of the InstallShield Update Service Agent which is offered by Macrovision Corporation. The software component is used to connect a computer to the internet to check updates for some installed programs.
Another poster stated that agent.exe eats up 98% of his computer CPU. It’s a trouble for him, wastes his time, and he would instead check computer updates without the need for this program.
Interlink WinDVD Involvement
One reader said that agent.exe was installed on their computer by Interlink WinDVD, consumes massive CPU power. He got rid of the problem by deleting WinDVD.
Another stated that the program is located in C:program filescommon filesinstall shieldupdate serviceagent.exe (969kb) and in C:Windowsprefetchagent.exe-10BH4BAEA.pf (42 kb). he further stated that the component is harmless when in a folder and when a user is not connected to the internet.
Adware?
A poster stated that the program caused adware to pop up on his computer wanting him to install antivirus software and this caused his laptop to crash every 15-45 minutes depending on the program running. The more graphics intensive or memory, the more often the computer crashes.
