What is lsass.exe?

The genuine lsass.exe file is a software component of Microsoft Windows by Microsoft Corporation.
If "lsass.exe" resides in "C:\Windows\System32", it is the Microsoft Windows Operating System's Local Security Authority Subsystem Service. Six critical Windows services involved in the computer's security management are dynamic link library (.dll) files which are called by "lsass.exe". These include "vaultsvc.dll", which controls access to credentials of users and applications; "efssvc.dll", central to storage of encrypted files on NTFS-type disk volumes; and "samsrv.dll", the Security Accounts Manager. If the real "lsass.exe" is forcibly stopped the machine is forced into a restart because the Welcome screen loses its account(s). It also cannot be uninstalled. In other locations, assume "lsass.exe" is disguised malware, which may include extremely dangerous Trojans or worms. A spyware or malware removal program may be needed to remove such files.

LSASS stands for Local Security Authority Subsystem Service

The .exe extension on a filename indicates an executable file. Executable files may, in some cases, harm your computer. Therefore, please read below to decide for yourself whether the lsass.exe on your computer is a Trojan that you should remove, or whether it is a file belonging to the Windows operating system or to a trusted application.

Click to Run a Free Scan for lsass.exe related errors

Lsass.exe file information

Windows Task Manager with lsass — Lsass.exe process in Windows Task Manager

The process known as Local Security Authority Process or LSA Shell (Export Version) or LSA Shell or pikachu or CNG Key Isolation, Security Accounts Manager or Windows host process (Rundll32) or Bonjour or Encrypting File System (EFS), CNG Key Isolation, Security Accounts Manager, Credential Manager

belongs to software Microsoft Windows Operating System or IPSEC Services, Protected Storage, Security Accounts Manager or CNG Key Isolation, Security Accounts Manager or CNG Key Isolation, Protected Storage, Security Accounts Manager or Encrypting File System (EFS), CNG Key Isolation, Security Accounts Manager or Project1 or CNG Key Isolation, Security Accounts Manager, Credential Manager or Encrypting File System (EFS), Security Accounts Manager

by Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) or Simply Super Software (www.simplysup.com) or qYpbf or Blackburn Laocoon or noOrg (www.noorg.org) or Ckojz sx or Ci78JjFt5o9WNk or Todiihk.

Description: The original lsass.exe from Microsoft is an important part of Windows, but often causes problems. Lsass.exe is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. Known file sizes on Windows 10/8/7/XP are 13,312 bytes (76% of all occurrences), 22,528 bytes and 14 more variants.
The program is not visible. Lsass.exe is a trustworthy file from Microsoft. The application uses ports to connect to or from a LAN or the Internet. Therefore the technical security rating is 15% dangerous; however you should also read the user reviews.

Recommended: Identify lsass.exe related errors

Viruses with the same file name

Is lsass.exe a virus? No, it is not. The true lsass.exe file is a safe Microsoft Windows system process, called "Local Security Authority Process". However, writers of malware programs, such as viruses, worms, and Trojans deliberately give their processes the same file name to escape detection. Viruses with the same file name are e.g. Trojan.Win32.VB.akjd or Trojan-Dropper.Win32.VB.asju (detected by Kaspersky), and Trojan:Win32/Dursg or VirTool:Win32/VBInject.gen!FA (detected by Microsoft).
To ensure that no rogue lsass.exe is running on your PC, click here to run a Free Malware Scan.

How to recognize suspicious variants?

If lsass.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 64% dangerous. The file size is 42,687 bytes (8% of all occurrences), 212,992 bytes and 42 more variants. The file is not a Windows core file. The program is not visible. There is no description of the program. The software starts when Windows starts (see Registry key: MACHINE\Run, Run, Userinit, Winlogon\Shell, User Shell Folders, MACHINE\RunOnceEx, RunOnce, exefile). Lsass.exe is able to monitor applications.
If lsass.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\, the security rating is 60% dangerous. The file size is 551,669 bytes (15% of all occurrences), 552,448 bytes and 22 more variants. The file is not a Windows system file. Lsass.exe is a file with no information about its developer. The program is not visible. The software starts upon Windows startup (see Registry key: MACHINE\Run, Run, Userinit, Winlogon\Shell, User Shell Folders, MACHINE\RunOnceEx, RunOnce, exefile). Lsass.exe is able to record keyboard and mouse inputs, monitor applications and manipulate other programs.
If lsass.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 87% dangerous. The file size is 1,591,808 bytes (18% of all occurrences), 6,790,656 bytes and 21 more variants.
If lsass.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files", the security rating is 68% dangerous. The file size is 4,606,976 bytes (29% of all occurrences), 4,672,512 bytes and 17 more variants.
If lsass.exe is located in the C:\Windows folder, the security rating is 82% dangerous. The file size is 100,000 bytes (20% of all occurrences), 983,552 bytes, 185,344 bytes, 528,398 bytes or 13,179,660 bytes.
If lsass.exe is located in the Windows folder for temporary files, the security rating is 84% dangerous. The file size is 6,790,656 bytes (33% of all occurrences), 1,591,808 bytes or 13,312 bytes.
If lsass.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows\System32, the security rating is 90% dangerous. The file size is 471,040 bytes (33% of all occurrences), 583,168 bytes or 460,288 bytes.
If lsass.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files\Common Files", the security rating is 68% dangerous. The file size is 176,640 bytes (50% of all occurrences) or 218,112 bytes.
If lsass.exe is located in the user's profile folder, the security rating is 76% dangerous. The file size is 473,001 bytes.
If lsass.exe is located in the "C:\Program Files\Common Files" folder, the security rating is 40% dangerous. The file size is 32,256 bytes.

External information from Paul Collins:
There are different files with the same name:

"MicrosoftSourceSafe" definitely not required. Added by the WEBUS.B TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate lsass.exe process, which should not appear in Msconfig/Startup!
"lsass" definitely not required. Added by the RATSOU.B TROJAN! Note - this is not the legitimate Lsass.exe system file should normally NOT figure in Msconfig/Startup!
"Microsoft UPDATER32" definitely not required. Added by the RANDEX.AR WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Lsass.exe system file should normally NOT figure in Msconfig/Startup!
"System Handler" definitely not required. Added by the NIMOS WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Lsass.exe system file should normally NOT figure in Msconfig/Startup!
"Traybar" definitely not required. Added by the MYDOOM.L WORM! Note - this is not the legitimate Lsass.exe system file should normally NOT figure in Msconfig/Startup!

Important: Some malware disguises itself as lsass.exe, particularly when not located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the lsass.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.

Score

User Comments

lsass.exe is a pretty critical windows process that will cause forced shutdown if ended with task manager i have no idea about what happens if its missing on the computer
lsass.exe

i have a lsass.exe program in C:\ProgramData\MicrosoftCorporation\Windows\SystemData
Zuhaer

Lsass.exe is a process used by Microsoft's Local Security Authority Subsystem Service. This process looks after computer security by checking the details the user supplies when logging into their PC. However, some trojans or viruses hide behind the guise of processes like lsass.exe, and can have serious impact on your security. Always have an antivirus running in the background.
CedFalz (further information)

Safe system file if in the [Bootdrive]\[windows directory]\system32 folder. Note even the legitimate version of this file can result in a forced shutdown IF it crashes.
John

its a system file use for authuntication
Zee

lsass is completely safe unless operating from outside system32. In order to prevent malware from attacking/abusing it, make sure to keep windows updated.
Deeza

heqta (further information)

The actual Windows process (System) is important. One that isn't in System is probably a virus.

More comments can be found here:
(further information)

Summary: Average user rating of lsass.exe: based on 712 votes with 9 reviews. 264 users think lsass.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 32 users think it's probably harmless. 132 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 82 users suspect danger. 202 users think lsass.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 74 users don't grade lsass.exe ("not sure about it").

Best practices for resolving lsass issues

A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with lsass. This means running a scan for malware, cleaning your hard drive using 1cleanmgr and 2sfc /scannow, 3uninstalling programs that you no longer need, checking for Autostart programs (using 4msconfig) and enabling Windows' 5Automatic Update. Always remember to perform periodic backups, or at least to set restore points.

Should you experience an actual problem, try to recall the last thing you did, or the last thing you installed before the problem appeared for the first time. Use the 6resmon command to identify the processes that are causing your problem. Even for serious problems, rather than reinstalling Windows, you are better off repairing of your installation or, for Windows 8 and later versions, executing the 7DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command. This allows you to repair the operating system without losing data.

To help you analyze the lsass.exe process on your computer, the following programs have proven to be helpful: ASecurity Task Manager displays all running Windows tasks, including embedded hidden processes, such as keyboard and browser monitoring or Autostart entries. A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware or a Trojan. BMalwarebytes Anti-Malware detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, malware and trackers from your hard drive.

Other processes

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