altap-salamander.exe

Altap Salamander File Manager & Archiver

Application ProcessSafeFile Manager & Archive Tool

CPU Usage

2-8%

Memory

60-180 MB

Location

Program Files\Altap Salamander

Publisher

ALTAP Software

Quick Answer

altap-salamander.exe is safe. Altap Salamander is a legitimate Windows file manager and archiver; it uses multiple components to manage files, archives, and plugins.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in C:\Program Files\Altap Salamander\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Altap Salamander\altap-salamander.exe

Warning

Many processes normal

Main UI + Archive Engine + Copy/Transfer tasks may run as separate threads

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Close Altap Salamander when not in use; disable startup and background tasks if available

What is altap-salamander.exe?

altap-salamander.exe is the executable for Altap Salamander, a Windows-native file manager and archiver. It provides dual-pane navigation, built-in archive support (zip, 7z, rar, tar), FTP/FTPS, and advanced file operations. It is designed for power users who need efficient management and archiving workflows.

Salamander’s architecture separates the UI, archive engine, and plugins. It streams archive data on demand, relies on Windows API for file operations, and uses dedicated worker threads to keep the interface responsive during transfers and archiving.

Quick Fact: Altap Salamander focuses on dual-pane efficiency and modular components, isolating crashes from impacting the entire application.

Types of Altap Salamander Processes

UI Process: Main interface, panels, and user input
Archive Engine Process: Handles compression/decompression for archives
File Transfer Process: Worker for copy/move operations
Background Tasks Process: Indexer, thumbnail generator, and updates
Plugin Process: Runs external plugins and extensions to extend features

Is altap-salamander.exe Safe?

Yes, altap-salamander.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from ALTAP Software downloaded from official sources.

Is altap-salamander.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real altap-salamander.exe is not a virus. However, malware authors sometimes mimic names. Always verify path and signature.

How to Tell if altap-salamander.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\Altap Salamander\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Altap Salamander\altap-salamander.exe. Any other path is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click altap-salamander.exe -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show "ALTAP Software" or the official publisher.
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 2-8% CPU and 60-180 MB total memory. Extremely high usage when the app is idle is suspicious.
Behavior: Altap Salamander should launch with user action. Background or unsolicited network activity without user interaction is a red flag.

Red Flags: If altap-salamander.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData\Roaming, or System32), runs when not opened, has no valid signature, or uses persistent resources, scan with antivirus immediately. Be wary of similarly-named files in untrusted locations.

Why Is altap-salamander.exe Running on My PC?

altap-salamander.exe runs when you open Altap Salamander or when certain features (archive handling, FTP, or background tasks) are active. It may also run background tasks if configured to do so.

Reasons it's running:

Active File Operations: You're copying, moving, renaming, or archiving files; Salamander uses worker threads to perform these actions.
Open Archives: Opening or extracting archives engages the archive engine to read and decompress data.
Background Tasks: Indexing, thumbnail generation, or metadata updates may run in the background to speed up operations.
Plugins in Use: FTP plugins or archive format plugins can run as separate components to extend functionality.
Startup or Background Mode: If configured to start with Windows or to stay resident in the background, the process may be active even with the UI minimized.

Can I Disable or Remove altap-salamander.exe?

Yes, you can disable altap-salamander.exe. It's safe to close Altap Salamander when not in use, and you can uninstall it completely if you prefer a different file manager.

How to Stop altap-salamander.exe

Cancel Active Operations: In Altap Salamander, cancel ongoing file transfers or archive operations from the progress dialog.
Close the Application: Click the X button or use File > Exit to close Altap Salamander.
End the Process: Open Windows Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), locate altap-salamander.exe, right-click End Task.
Disable Startup: Task Manager > Startup tab > Disable Altap Salamander
Stop Background Features: In Altap Salamander Settings/Preferences, turn off 'Run in background' or similar options to stop background tasks.

How to Uninstall Altap Salamander

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Altap Salamander → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Altap Salamander → Uninstall
✔ Consider alternatives: Total Commander, Directory Opus, or Free alternatives depending on your needs

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If altap-salamander.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Too Many Items or Large Directories: Limit visible items or use filters; close unused folders and avoid loading huge directories simultaneously.
Resource-Heavy Plugins: Disable unnecessary plugins in Settings → Plugins or Extensions.
Large Archives or Complex Archives: Open and extract in smaller chunks; update to latest version for better multi-threading.
Outdated Software: Update Altap Salamander to the latest version from the official site.
Antivirus Interference: Add Altap Salamander to antivirus exceptions to prevent scanning delays.
Indexing or Thumbnail Caching: Disable automatic indexing or clear caches under Settings → Performance.

Quick Fixes:
1. Use Cancel on high-usage tasks from the progress pane
2. Update Altap Salamander to the latest version
3. Disable nonessential plugins in Settings
4. Restart Altap Salamander and, if needed, the system
5. Add an antivirus exception for altap-salamander.exe

Frequently Asked Questions

Is altap-salamander.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate altap-salamander.exe from ALTAP Software is not a virus. Verify the file path (C:\Program Files\Altap Salamander\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Altap Salamander\) and the digital signature from ALTAP Software.

Why is Altap Salamander using so much CPU?

High CPU can occur during archive operations, batch actions, or when loading large directories. Identify the culprit with the built-in task manager, close heavy actions, and consider updating or disabling unused plugins.

How do I archive or extract files with Altap Salamander?

Right-click a file or folder, choose Add to Archive or Extract Here, select the archive format, and monitor progress in the Archive Manager. For large jobs, perform operations in smaller batches.

Can Altap Salamander run on Windows 11/10?

Yes. Altap Salamander supports modern Windows versions and can be installed on Windows 10/11 with the appropriate 64-bit or 32-bit build. Check the official site for system requirements.

How do I uninstall Altap Salamander?

Use Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Altap Salamander → Uninstall, or Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Altap Salamander. Restart if prompted.

Does Altap Salamander support 64-bit Windows and plugins?

Yes, Altap Salamander provides 64-bit support and supports plugins that extend archive formats and additional integrations. Ensure you download the correct 64-bit installer from the official site.