Some users have asked us regarding the validity of the igfxEM.exe procedure. Your suspicions about igfxEM.exe generally appear after seeing that the executable prevents them from entering certain files on the C drive or performing certain updates on the third application.
What is igfxem.exe?
The genuine procedure igfxem.exe belongs to the Intel graphics suite. Igfxem.exe is part of the Intel Common User Interface (R) and is called the graphics executable core module.
This particular procedure is often used by Nvidia and AMD graphics card drivers. What this executable does is allow the screen resolution settings to persist and remain saved even when the monitor is turned off or disconnected from the cable..
Even though this may not seem like a big deal, most laptops and notebooks rely on this service and will schedule it to work at startup.
Potential security threat?
Even though we have not been able to identify any particular malware that uses the igfxEM procedure as camouflage, most malware writers specifically target privileged enhanced executables to avoid detection by security scanners.
One way to distinguish the genuine procedure from disguised malware is to see its location. To do this, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to the processes tab and locate the igfxem.exe procedure. Then right click on it and click Open file location.
If the revealed location is other than C: Windows ~ System32 ~ igfxem.exe, it is likely a malicious executable. If that's the case, We suggest scanning your system with a powerful anti-malware scanner like Malwarebytes or Safety Scanner. If you are not sure how to do it, follow our detailed guide (here) about how to scan and erase malware from your system with Malwarebytes.
Should I disable igfxem.exe?
If you have established that the igfxem.exe executable is legitimate, time to choose what to do with the legitimate executable. Even though some laptops and notebooks still depend on igfxem.exe, the procedure is in no way essential for the proper functioning of your computer. On desktop computers, this procedure can be considered useless and can be eliminated without consequences.
If you are struggling with an obstacle generated by the igfxEM.exe procedure, see if the following two solutions will help you. If you are looking for a way to permanently disable the igfxEM.exe procedure, follow the latest guide.
Correct the error “Cannot find IgfxEM.exe” at startup
If you see the error “cannot find igfxEM.exe” at every startup after a Windows update 10, the executable was most likely tampered with once the new update files were installed.
In this circumstance, the answer is to reinstall the necessary Intel drivers from the official download center (here). If the installation kit refuses to reapply the latest drivers, try temporarily disabling real-time protection from your external antivirus package (if you have one).
Fixing the bug “file privileges missing”
If you find that the igfxem.exe procedure prevents you from performing a Steam update / Origin with the error “missing file privileges”, you can quickly fix the problem by closing the procedure through Task Manager. To do this, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and locate igfxem.exe in the Processes tab. Once you can find the procedure, right click on it and choose End Task to disable it temporarily.
Note that, even though this will instantly resolve the issue and allow updates to take place, the igfxem.exe procedure will open automatically at the next system startup or when you open the Intel Common User Interface (R).
For a more permanent solution, follow the steps below to disable the igfxem.exe procedure indefinitely.
Disable the igfxem.exe procedure from msconfig
If you have a serious resentment against igfxem.exe, you can easily prevent the procedure from being called without fear of unforeseen consequences. You can easily do this by stopping the procedure via msconfig and preventing it from opening again. To do this, follow the steps below:
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Press the Windows key + R to open a Run command. Type »msconfig» and hit Enter to open the menu System configuration .
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In the System Settings menu, go to the Services tab and find the igfxEM module.
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Uncheck the box next to the igfxEM module and click Apply to save the changes.
Now, the igfxem.exe procedure should stop running on your system again. If you decide to use it again in the future, reverse the steps above to reprogram it into your system.
