What Is Browser_Broker.exe?
There are some users who discuss browser_broker.exe on forums. They don’t know what it is. Is browser_broker.exe a virus? Actually, browser_broker.exe is a legitimate component in Windows operating system and it is essential for Microsoft Edge to function.
Browser_broker.exe will be activated only when Microsoft Edge is running, and the file is located in C:\Windows\System32 folder. You might not notice the file while using File Explorer, but you can see a process named Browser_Broker showing together with Microsoft Edge if you open Task Manager.
However, you should pay attention that the “browser_broker.exe” you see might be harmful for your PC. It is because that some malware is able to copy or mimic the behavior of the real browser_broker.exe. And the malware will try to fool users and even the security programs by pretending to be a system file.
Therefore, you need to check it out if you are doubt about it.
How to Check Whether Your Browser_Broker.exe Is Safe?
If the malware is trying to attack your computer, you might notice that your computer is not running in a proper way. Browser_broker.exe is a component which barely takes resources. If you find that the process is wasting too much system recources in Task Manager, there might be something wrong.
As mentioned, the real browser_broker.exe file is located in C:\Windows\System32. You just need to check the location of the file you see and then you can know whether it is safe or not.
Here is how to do it.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge.
Step 2: Right-click task bar and select Task Manager to view the list of running programs.
Step 3: Under process tab, click the arrow icon on the left side of Microsoft Edge to expand the list. Then right-click Browser_Broker process and select Open file location to open the location of this program file.
This should open System32 folder. Otherwise, the Browser_Broker in your case is a threat, and you should take the following measures to protect your PC:
- Run Disk Cleanup.
- Run System File Checker.
- Run Windows Update regularly.
- Uninstall useless programs and features and disable unnecessary startup items.
- Scan your computer for malware, virus and other threats regularly with Windows Defender or a third-party antivirus program.
Can I Delete Browser_Broker.exe?
You can’t simply kill the Browser_Broker process in Task Manager. As you know, browser_broker.exe is a necessary file for Microsoft Edge and you might encounter Microsoft Edge crashing issues if you delete the file. Even you delete it, Windows could re-create the file on the next startup.
If you are not willing to keep browser_broker running in the background, an easy way is to using another browser, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, etc.
Originally published at https://www.partitionwizard.com on September 1, 2020.
