Repair and Download smss.exe Now

Sometimes Windows system displays error messages regarding corrupted or missing smss.exe files. Situations like that can occur, for example, during a software installation process. Each software program requires certain resources, libraries, and source data to work properly. Corrupted or nonexistent smss.exe file can therefore effect in failed execution of the started process.

smss.exe file Windows Session Manager. The file was developed by for use with software. Here you will find detailed information about the file and instructions how to proceed in the event of smss.exe related errors on your device. You can also download smss.exe file compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP devices which will (most probably) allow you to solve the problem.

Compatible with: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP

User popularity

3.1 Scanning for malicious software
3.2 System and driver update
3.3 System File Checker tool
3.4 System recovery

4 Download smss.exe

4.1 List of smss.exe file versions

File info

General information
Filename	smss.exe
File extension	EXE
Description	Windows Session Manager

Software
Program	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Author	Microsoft Corporation

Details
MIME type	application/octet-stream
File type	Executable application
System	Windows NT 32-bit
Copyrights	© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Character set	Unicode
Language cod	English (U.S.)

Most common smss.exe file related problems

There are various types of errors related to smss.exe file. smss.exe file may be located in wrong file directory on your device, may not be present in the system, or may be infected with malicious software and therefore not work correctly. Below is a list of most common error messages related to smss.exe file. If you encounter one listed below (or similar), please consider the following suggestions.

smss.exe is corrupted
smss.exe cannot be located
Runtime Error - smss.exe
smss.exe file error
smss.exe file cannot be loaded. Module was not found
cannot register smss.exe file:
smss.exe file could not be loaded
smss.exe file doesn't exist

smss.exe

Application could not be started because smss.exe file is missing. Reinstall the application to solve the problem.

Problems related to smss.exe can be addressed in various ways. Some methods are meant only for advanced users. If you don't have confidence in your skills, we suggest consulting a specialist. Fixing smss.exe file errors should be approached with utmost caution for any mistakes can result in unstable or unproperly working system. If you have the necassary skills, please proceed.

How to fix smss.exe errors in just few steps?

Remember, before taking any action related to system files perform a backup copy of your data!

smss.exe file errors can be caused by various factors, so its is beneficial to try to fix them using various methods.

Step 1: Scan your computer for any malicious software

Windows files are commonly attacked by malicious software that prevents them from working properly. First step in addressing problems with smss.exe file or any other Windows system files should be scanning the system for malicious software using an antivirus tool.

If by any chance you don't have any antivirus software installed on your system yet, you should do it immediately. Unprotected system is not only a source of file errors, but, more importantly, makes your system vulnerable to many dangers. If you don't know which antivirus tool to choose, consult this Wikipedia article – comparison of antivirus software.

Step 2: Update your system and drivers.

Installing relevant Microsoft Windows patches and updates may solve your problems related to smss.exe file. Use dedicated Windows tool to perform the update.

Go to the Windows "Start" menu
Type "Windows Update" in the search field
Choose the appropriate software program (name may vary depending on your system version)
Check if your system is up to date. If any unapplied updates are listed, install them immediately.
After the update has been done,restart your computer in order to complete the process.

Beside updating the system, it is recommended that you install latest device drivers, as drivers can influence proper working of smss.exe or other system files. In order to do so, go to your computer or device producer's website where you will find information regarding latest driver updates.

Step 3: Use System File Checker (SFC) tool

System File Checker is a Microsoft Windows tool. As the name suggests, the tool is used for identyfing and addressing system file related errors, including those related to smss.exe file. After an error related to%fileextension% file has been discovered, the program attempts to automatically replace the smss.exe file with properly working version. To use the tool:

Go to the Windows "Start" menu
Type "cmd" in the search field
Locate "Command Prompt" result – don't run it yet:
Click the right mouse button and select "Run as Administrator" option
Type "sfc /scannow" in console prompt to start the program and follow the instructions

Step 4: Restoring Windows system

Another approach is to restore system to previous state, before the smss.exe file error occured. In order to restore your system, follow the instructions below

Go to the Windows "Start" menu
Type "System Restore" in the search field
Start the system restore tool – it's name may differ depending on version of the system
The application will guide you through the process – read the messages carefully
After the process has finished, restart your computer.

If all the above-mentioned methods failed and the smss.exe file problem has not been resolved, proceed to the next step. Remember that the following steps are intended only for advanced users.

Download and replace smss.exe file

The last solution is to manually download and replace smss.exe file in appropriate folder on the disk. Select file version compatible with your operating system and click the "Download" button. Next, go to your web browser's "Downloaded" folder and copy the downloaded smss.exe file.

Go to the folder where the file should be located and paste the downloaded file. Below is the list of smss.exe file example directory paths.

Windows 10: C:\Windows\System32\
Windows 8.1: C:\Windows\System32\
Windows 8: 1: C:\Windows\System32\
Windows 7: C:\Windows\System32\
Windows Vista: C:\Windows\System32\
Windows XP: ---

If the steps did not solve your smss.exe file problem, you should consult a professional. A probability exists that the error(s) might be device-related and therefore should be resolved at the hardware level. A fresh operating system installation might be necessary – a faulty system installation process can result in data loss.

File versions list

Filename smss.exe

System Windows 10

File size 100808 bytes

Date 2017-03-18

Download

File details
	MD5	cd827783f532eee33ad53ba6c29e3770
	SHA1	ca0f8afe2341693336c98a670527560b312e166d
	SHA256	e7792501e48939877864e80f87db6c8d317fc9eee6a07b1b2f49b5df99084401
	CRC32	214fe9ab
	Example file location	C:\Windows\System32\

Filename smss.exe

System Windows 8.1

File size 105896 bytes

Date 2014-11-21

Download

File details
	MD5	1c8cdf81449bf9ea8fd88eab3a2ccd1e
	SHA1	b4cfae94386cb4ca3c454538725caa30aec3ec74
	SHA256	7f4cb17f78fe68021850aa4ef4d1c7a007b5889ec099687c40d720516019018c
	CRC32	8413463b
	Example file location	C:\Windows\System32\

Filename smss.exe

System Windows 8

File size 88576 bytes

Date 2012-07-26

Download

File details
	MD5	8e5870b864c38a3b766f9f0a23fb70c4
	SHA1	b539888d0a5b45f2e9dcdab23296a455e90b54bd
	SHA256	838c650d3118d100ae58c5616551d3849b303e4bc1a2437f44d636c97aaaf658
	CRC32	daa50679
	Example file location	1: C:\Windows\System32\

Filename smss.exe

System Windows 7

File size 112640 bytes

Date 2009-07-14

Download

File details
	MD5	1911a3356fa3f77ccc825ccbac038c2a
	SHA1	706473ad489e5365af1e3431c4f8fe80a9139bc2
	SHA256	6ed135b792c81d78b33a57f0f4770db6105c9ed3e2193629cb3ec38bfd5b7e1b
	CRC32	d1b80260
	Example file location	C:\Windows\System32\

Filename smss.exe

System Windows Vista

File size 75264 bytes

Date 2009-04-11

Download

File details
	MD5	c17704ea5b0f83d78f1377075ffe1c89
	SHA1	e731f0fba53eaa356d23b801a68ced49f20cfab4
	SHA256	b38bce4d49428a5d6ffc87d363f8b3c88695af57ba3de0c9837fb5eefa571b0d
	CRC32	3153dc7e
	Example file location	C:\Windows\System32\

Filename smss.exe

System Windows XP

File size 50688 bytes

Date 2008-04-14

Download

File details
	MD5	5f816c1f539266d2d4c78694239da0b5
	SHA1	406503e95e8bf9b387b201aac141520e5f266ff4
	SHA256	10bfccf4effc3813a563d528dc5464827bef10ae21d6b9c1138930228e7047d1
	CRC32	69c41314
	Example file location	---