locator.exe

Locator Resource Locator

Application ProcessSafeSystem Utility

CPU Usage

1-8%

Memory

30-120 MB

Location

C:\\Program Files\\Locator

Publisher

LocatorSoft, Inc.

Quick Answer

locator.exe is safe. It’s a legitimate utility used by LocatorSoft products to locate resources like data files, configurations, libraries, and plugins across installed folders and network shares, helping the main app resolve paths efficiently.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in C:\\Program Files\\Locator\\ or C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Locator\\

Warning

Multiple resource lookups

Locator may spawn multiple helper threads/processes during heavy scans

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

If part of a bundled app, disable via the main application settings or stop the related service

What is locator.exe?

locator.exe is a lightweight resource locator used by LocatorSoft products to find data files, configurations, libraries, and plugins across installed directories and network shares. It helps the launcher resolve file paths reliably for the main application, supporting portable or multi-folder deployments.

It operates as a targeted search/lookup utility that scans known install paths, registry entries, and synced folders to produce valid file locations for the main application. No content changes occur during lookup.

Quick Fact: Locator tooling evolved to support portable and multi-location deployments, enabling robust resource discovery without hard-coded paths.

Types of Locator Processes

Launcher Process: Main UI and control interface for locating resources (1 instance)
Indexer Process: Background indexer that catalogs resource paths (multiple)
Background Service: Monitors directories for changes and updates paths
Helper Process: Auxiliary modules for plugin/resource discovery
Maintenance Task: Periodic checks and cleanup of cached paths

Is locator.exe Safe?

Yes, locator.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from LocatorSoft downloaded from official sources (installer from locatorsoft.com or bundled with the product).

Is locator.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real locator.exe is NOT a virus. Malware masquerades may mimic; always verify signed publisher and path.

How to Tell if locator.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\\Program Files\\Locator\\ or C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Locator\\. Any locator.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click locator.exe in Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show a valid signature from "LocatorSoft, Inc."
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-8% CPU, 30-120 MB memory during lookups. Persistent high usage when idle is suspicious.
Behavior: Should only run when the main Locator app requires resource lookups. Background activity without user input could indicate issues.

Red Flags: Locator tool located in unusual folders (Temp, AppData) or running without a launcher could indicate tampering. Missing digital signature or frequent network-driven scans are red flags.

Why Is locator.exe Running on My PC?

locator.exe runs to support resource discovery for LocatorSoft products and may run during launches, file searches, or background indexing.

Reasons it's running:

Active Resource Locate: A user or app action requests a file path; locator.exe searches known directories and network shares.
Background Indexing: Keeps an index of commonly used resource locations for faster future lookups.
Launch-Only Activity: Runs briefly during application startup to resolve essential paths.
Directory Monitoring: Monitors install folders for changes to configs and plugins.
Diagnostics & Telemetry: Gathers environment data to assist support and ensure accurate path resolution.

Can I Disable or Remove locator.exe?

Yes, you can disable locator.exe. It's a helper component; removing it may impact resource resolution for LocatorSoft apps. You can disable from the main app or stop the related service if present.

How to Stop locator.exe

End Individual Tasks: Use the main Locator UI to stop background tasks that perform lookups.
Close Launcher: Exit the main Locator application to end related locator.exe activity.
Stop Process: Open Task Manager, locate locator.exe, right-click End Task.
Disable Startup: In Task Manager > Startup, disable the Locator product startup entry.
Adjust Settings: Within the Locator app, turn off background resource discovery or indexing.

How to Uninstall Locator Components

✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> Locator Product -> Uninstall
✔ Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a program -> Locator Product
✔ If Locator is part of another app suite, use that suite's uninstaller

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If locator.exe is consuming excessive resources during lookups or indexing:

Common Causes & Solutions

Large resource index: Limit indexing scope in settings or rebuild index with fewer paths.
Many concurrent lookups: Avoid simultaneous file searches; queue requests in the main app.
Network share latency: Disable network scans or configure offline mode for remote paths.
Outdated software: Update Locator product to latest version.
Conflicting extensions: Disable unused extensions or plugins that trigger lookups.
Corrupted cache: Clear locator cache from the Locator UI or delete cache files in AppData.

Quick Fixes:
1. Open Locator UI and review active lookups
2. Clear cache in Settings
3. Restart Locator product
4. Limit network path scans
5. Update to latest version

Frequently Asked Questions

Is locator.exe a virus?

No, locator.exe is a legitimate LocatorSoft utility intended to locate and verify resource paths for the main application. Verify location: C:\\Program Files\\Locator\\ or C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Locator\\ and digital signature.

What is locator.exe used for?

locator.exe locates resources (files, configs, plugins) for the LocatorSoft product, resolving file paths dynamically to support portable and multi-folder installations.

Where should locator.exe be located?

Typically in C:\\Program Files\\Locator\\ or C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Locator\\ as part of the installed Locator product.

Can I disable locator.exe?

Yes, you can disable its background activity from the Locator application settings or end the process via Task Manager. Do not uninstall if you rely on the product.

Why does locator.exe run at startup?

Locator products may configure startup tasks to speed up resource discovery on launch. Disable from Task Manager > Startup if you don’t want it to start automatically.

How to troubleshoot high resource usage by locator.exe?

Use the Locator UI to review active lookups and clear caches. Ensure software is up to date, and check for conflicting components or corrupted caches.