antivirus-updater.exe

SafeScan Antivirus

Application ProcessSafeSecurity Utility

CPU Usage

0-8%

Memory

15-60 MB

Location

C:\\Program Files\\SafeScan\\Antivirus

Publisher

SafeScan Technologies, Inc.

Quick Answer

antivirus-updater.exe is safe. SafeScan's updater component downloads and applies virus definition and engine updates to keep the antivirus current.

Is it a Virus?

NO - Safe

Must be in C:\\Program Files\\SafeScan\\Antivirus\\Updater\\antivirus-updater.exe

Warning

Updater may spawn sub-processes

Updater launches download/verify tasks; unusual activity outside update windows warrants attention

Can I Disable?

YES

Pause automatic updates in SafeScan Settings > Update

What is antivirus-updater.exe?

antivirus-updater.exe is the updater executable for SafeScan Antivirus. It runs in the background to fetch the latest virus definitions, engine improvements, and security updates. By contacting SafeScan update servers, it keeps protection current, applies patches, and may spawn download and verification sub-processes during routine maintenance.

The updater downloads new definitions from SafeScan servers, verifies integrity with checksums, and applies updates to the local protection components. It uses TLS, runs with limited elevation, and may launch auxiliary modules for signature verification and database refresh.

Quick Fact: SafeScan pioneered automated updater workflows to ensure rapid deployment of threat definitions across devices.

Types of SafeScan Processes

Updater Launcher: Main process that starts update tasks and schedules
Background Service: Runs as a service to perform periodic checks
Downloader Module: Fetches definition and engine updates
Signature Verifier: Validates downloaded updates before applying
Checksum Validator: Ensures data integrity via checksums
Scheduler/Task Runner: Executes update windows and maintenance tasks

Is antivirus-updater.exe Safe?

Yes, antivirus-updater.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from SafeScan downloaded from official sources (official SafeScan website or supplier distribution).

Is antivirus-updater.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real antivirus-updater.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware sometimes disguises itself with similar names to trick users.

How to Tell if antivirus-updater.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\\Program Files\\SafeScan\\Antivirus\\Updater\\antivirus-updater.exe or C:\\Program Files (x86)\\SafeScan\\Antivirus\\Updater\\antivirus-updater.exe. Any antivirus-updater.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the process in Task Manager → Open file location → Right-click antivirus-updater.exe → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "SafeScan Technologies, Inc.".
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 0-8% CPU and 15-60 MB memory during updates. Extremely high usage when idle is suspicious.
Behavior: Updater should run primarily during defined update windows or when manually triggered. Constant background activity outside update cycles may indicate malware.

Red Flags: If antivirus-updater.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp or AppData), runs when updates aren't scheduled, has no digital signature, or uses excessive resources constantly, scan your system with antivirus software immediately. Beware of similarly-named files like "antivirus-update.exe" from untrusted sources.

Why Is antivirus-updater.exe Running on My PC?

antivirus-updater.exe runs to keep SafeScan Antivirus current with the latest threat definitions and engine improvements. It may launch at startup or during manual/update job runs.

Reasons it's running:

Active Update Check: Updater is actively checking for new threat definitions and engine patches.
Background Download: The updater downloads large definition databases in the background to minimize user impact during scanning.
Scheduled Update Task: A scheduled task triggers updates at predefined intervals (e.g., nightly).
Definition Rollouts: New signatures require transient updater activity to apply to the local database.
UI/UX Synchronization: Updater may run briefly to refresh protection status shown by the UI.

Can I Disable or Remove antivirus-updater.exe?

Yes, you can disable antivirus-updater.exe. It's safe to pause automatic updates if you prefer manual control, and you can uninstall SafeScan Antivirus completely if needed.

How to Stop antivirus-updater.exe

Pause Automatic Updates: Open SafeScan settings > Update > Pause automatic updates
Close Antivirus UI: Exit SafeScan application completely
End Updater Process: Open Task Manager, locate antivirus-updater.exe, right-click End Task
Disable Startup: Task Manager > Startup tab > Disable SafeScan Updater
Stop Background Apps: In SafeScan, disable 'Continue running background updates' if available

How to Uninstall SafeScan Antivirus

✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & Features -> SafeScan Antivirus -> Uninstall
✔ Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a program -> SafeScan Antivirus -> Uninstall
✔ Consider using an alternative security solution if you switch

Common Problems: Update Failures or High Resource Use

If antivirus-updater.exe is failing to update or consuming unusual resources, try the following targeted steps.

Common Causes & Solutions

Network or firewall blocks: Ensure the updater can reach SafeScan update servers. Allow outbound TLS on port 443 for antivirus-updater.exe
Corrupted update cache: Clear the updater cache from SafeScan settings or delete the cache folder under C:\ProgramData\SafeScan\Updater
Outdated software: Update SafeScan to the latest version which includes updater improvements.
Excessive CPU during updates: Schedule updates for off-peak hours and limit background activity in settings
Malicious extensions or conflicts: Disable conflicting security modules and scan for malware conflicts
Digital signature mismatch: Verify the updater's digital signature; reinstall SafeScan if signature is invalid

Quick Fixes:
1. Open SafeScan and click Update Now to force a fresh download
2. Check for blocked network traffic and allow SafeScan update domain
3. Clear update cache under C:\\ProgramData\\SafeScan\\Updater
4. Restart SafeScan or reboot the PC
5. Ensure Windows Defender/Firewall policies allow SafeScan activity

Frequently Asked Questions

Is antivirus-updater.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate antivirus-updater.exe is SafeScan's updater component, located in C:\\Program Files\\SafeScan\\Antivirus\\Updater\\antivirus-updater.exe and signed by SafeScan Technologies, Inc.

Why is antivirus-updater.exe using CPU?

CPU usage occurs during definition or engine updates. If consistently high, check for stuck downloads, malfunctioning modules, or conflicting software.

Can I delete antivirus-updater.exe?

You should not delete the updater file. You can disable automatic updates or uninstall SafeScan Antivirus if you no longer need it.

Can I disable antivirus-updater.exe?

Yes, via SafeScan settings to pause automatic updates or by disabling the startup entry in Task Manager. This will stop automatic updates but not remove the main antivirus product.

Where is antivirus-updater.exe located?

Typically in <code>C:\\Program Files\\SafeScan\\Antivirus\\Updater\\antivirus-updater.exe</code> or <code>C:\\Program Files (x86)\\SafeScan\\Antivirus\\Updater\\antivirus-updater.exe</code>.

How do I update definitions manually?

Open SafeScan > Update and click 'Check for updates' or run the updater executable from its folder if provided by SafeScan for manual updates.