What is ntoskrnl.exe?
ntoskrnl.exe is a fundamental part of Windows that needs to exist for the Windows OS to function at all. This important part of Windows provides the kernel and executive layers of the Microsoft Windows NT kernel space. This kernel is required for many different Windows Services to work properly including accessing PC hardware and managing memory.
Publisher: Microsoft Windows
ntoskrnl.exe stands for Windows NT operating system kernel executable.
What does ntoskrnl.exe do?
Acts as the central module (kernel) of the Windows OS.
Is ntoskrnl.exe safe? 5 easy ways to see if ntoskrnl.exe is safe or malware.
- 1. See who signed the ntoskrnl.exe (check the publisher)
- 2. Scan ntoskrnl.exe with Windows Security.
- 3. Check the network activity of ntoskrnl.exe.
- 4. Analyze ntoskrnl.exe with VirusTotal.
- 5. Run it in Windows Sandbox.
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Why does ntoskrnl.exe access the network?
While investigating ntoskrnl.exe with the GlassWire network security monitor on our devices based in the USA we found it connects only to local IP addresses and devices on our network. For example, we found it connected to other PCs for file sharing, printers, and other devices on our local network. We did not see any activity that went outside our local network.
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