MPSigStub is an executable file part of your PC’s Windows Automatic Update tool. The purpose of this tool is to extract the updated files located in a temporary directory.
Apart from handling situations related to Windows Update, MPSigStub is linked to Windows Defender too. Also, it is often utilized by the Microsoft malware removal tool when extracting.
Assume that you use an Automatic Update on the system or a stand-alone installer. In that case, the update package will get extracted to a temporary directory. This respective folder will carry a name something similar to “6ebfh98727d5156a4b93ab44“.
When this sort of operation is carried out, MPSigStub.exe will involve. Once the respective update is extracted, MPSigStub will also be involved in checking it. It will determine if the respective files can be applied to the system or not.
This specific file is located in a specific folder called C:\Windows\System 32. However, in some systems, it may also be located inside a temporary folder.
This temporary folder is created by the update installer. In certain cases – for various reasons – you may see more than one existence of MPSigStub.
Mentioned Below Are Some Important Points About MPSigStub in Point Form.
- MPSigStub is an abbreviation that stands on behalf of Microsoft Protection Signature Stub. Needless to say, it is an executable file that should not be considered a critical process.
- In many cases, it is normal for the MPSigStub process to consume high CPU usage. However, some viruses may be disguised as MPSigStub. That can be resolved with a good malware scanner (even Windows Defender is good enough).
- If it makes your computer slow, there are ways to resolve it, and we will discuss the methods later.
No shortage of users is experiencing some issues with MPSigStub functionality. Pretty much all of those complaints are associated with high CPU usage.
Solutions to Try If You Notice MPSigStub uses High CPU Resources
In this section, we explain how to fix MPSigStub if there is a high CPU usage. There are several solutions to try in case of such an instance. You don’t want to try all those fixes.
Instead, you can try one solution and move to the next if the previous option doesn’t work. With that said, mentioned below are the solutions to try.
Solution 1: Check If There is an Ongoing Windows Update
First, you should check if there is an ongoing Windows Update. If that is the case, it is normal for MPSigStub to take high CPU usage.
So, check if there is any system update. If there is an update, all you have to do is to wait until it is finished. Then, check if the MPSigStub.exe is using a normal amount of CPU.
Besides, regarding the .NET runtime optimization service’s high CPU error, click to fix them now.
Solution 2: Scan Your Computer for Malware
If no update is involved with the system, the next option is to perform a malware scan. This solution will ensure whether the high CPU usage is caused due to a malware infection or not.
Use a good malware scanner and perform a full scan on the PC. Wait for the process to be completed. If there are any suspicious files, the malware scanner will find them. If files are found, you can simply remove them.
In this case, you will have to find a good malware scanner to complete the scan correctly. When looking for a malware scanner, you should check the ratings and read the reviews.
Then, you should download and install it. Another important thing is that you must have the respective antivirus program updated all the time. That will ensure catching the latest threats.
Also, if you are experiencing the problem of the error code 0x80070422, here are the best fixes for you.
Solution 3: Removing MPSigStub from the PC
If you need to remove MPSigStub from your computer, you must use the steps mentioned below. There are two methods to do this, and we list both options below.
Method 01: Use File Explorer in Administrator mode to remove MPSigStub
Below are the steps you should follow to remove MPSigStub from the PC.
- First, press Windows Key and S Key on the keyboard simultaneously.
- Now, you will see a list of options in a separate window.
- You should right-click on the “File Explorer” icon in this list.
- Once the popup menu appears, you should choose “Run as Administrator.”
- Now, locate the file you need to delete. In this case, it is “MPSigStub.exe.” Just delete the file or the folder.
Method 02: Delete MPSigStub using Command Prompt
You can also use the command prompt to delete the MPSigStub from your system. Follow the instructions below and delete it.
- First, hit the Windows+X key on the keyboard.
- When the Command Prompt icon appears, right-click and choose “Run as Administrator.” If not, you can choose PowerShell (Admin) as well.
- Now the command prompt will start. Once it is started, you should go to the folder in which MPSigStub.exe is saved. You should use the CD command to do that.
- Once you enter the directory of MPSigStub.exe, you should enter the command del MPSigStub.exe. Then, you should press the “Enter” key to remove it.
- Instead of the file, you can delete the entire folder. If you wish to do so, just run the rmdir Folder_Name command. However, it is strongly recommended to avoid using this command if the folder is located in the System32 folder.
Solution 4: Change MPSigStub.exe’s Permissions
You can change the permissions for MPSigStub.exe as a solution to its high CPU usage. This process will indeed take a bit longer compared to the other methods. However, it works as a good solution to address this issue.
You can follow the instructions mentioned below and change the permissions of this executable.
- First, you should open the folder in which MPSigStub.exe is located. Then, you should right-click on the file named MPSigStub.exe to see the popup menu. When you see the popup menu, choose “Properties.”
- You should go to the “Security” tab and navigate to the “Edit” button. You can change the permissions by clicking on that button.
- In the window labeled “Permissions,” you should see several options. Select the option labeled “User” and ensure that the account is set to “Active.” Then, you should navigate down and check the boxes under “Allow.” Then, to complete the process, you should click on “Apply,” so the changes you have made will be saved.
- Now, you should go back to where MPSigStub.exe was located. Then, delete it without any issue.
The above options will help you overcome the issue and get your device back to normal mode.
In addition to that, the solutions can help address the instances mentioned below.
● MPSigStub found in a random folder.
As mentioned earlier in this article, this specific process is related to Windows Updates. So, the system can create random folders and place MPSigStub in them. In that case, you can use the above methods and remove the file.
● Viruses disguised as MPSigStub
Viruses and other malware can disguise as MPSigStub.exe and cause some damage. So, performing a malware scan and identifying the suspicious file will be the best move.
● Malware scanning for MPSigStub
If you have a good virus guard installed on your computer, it can easily identify potential malware attacks. Also, have your virus guard updated to the latest version to identify the latest threats.
Frequently Asked Questions
To make it clearer for you, let’s take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions.
● Is it possible to update MPSigStub.exe?
Yes. It is possible to update MPSigStub.exe. However, you don’t have to worry about updating it manually. Instead, the file will be automatically updated when you install a new Windows update on the system.
● Where is MPSigStub.exe located?
Under normal conditions, MPSigStub.exe should be located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. However, scanning your PC for malware is strongly recommended if it is located in a different folder.
● What does MPSigStub.exe do?
In simplest terms, MPSigStub.exe is a part of the Windows Operating System. The term “MPSigStub” is an abbreviation for Microsoft Protection Signature Stub.
● Is it a virus?
No, MPSigStub.exe is not a virus. However, malware-like viruses can disguise as MPSigStub.exe and work silently in your OS. If that is the case, the file’s location will be different.
Well, that’s all about MPSigStub and its functionality. If you see MPSigStub.exe taking high resources, follow the methods mentioned in this article.
Also, don’t forget to keep your virus guard updated so it can catch the latest advanced threats.
