Have you noticed uncserver.exe on your Lenovo computer? This executable process is digitally signed by Lenovo so it should not be harming your computer. However, some users have reported their uncserver.exe to run when it is not supposed to, eating up large chunks of their CPU and bandwidth. Some users have even reported uncserver.exe to be a virus or malware.
This article will expand upon this executable’s process, whether or not the executable is safe for your computer, and how to resolve CPU and bandwidth overconsumption issues if you believe uncserver.exe to be causing them.
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What is UNCServer.exe?
UNCServer.exe is an executable task that relates to Lenovo System Updates and ThinkVantage System Updates, often abbreviated to TVSU. Its function is to open inbound TCP and UDP traffic in order to allow the system update to self-update and download any pending installation packages.
Therefore, if uncserver.exe is running during a system update, then it is simply doing its job. However, some users have encountered a bug that causes uncserver.exe to run constantly on their computer.
UNCServer.exe Virus
Some users believe these issues are occurring because uncserver.exe is a virus or malware. This executable task is digitally signed by Lenovo, so it is not a virus or malware. However, it is easy for a virus to mimic an executable in order to sneak its way onto your computer.
There are a few common signs to look for if you would like to investigate whether or not your uncserver.exe file is the real executable or a mimic. First, check to make sure the uncserver.exe file name is spelt correctly. Some viruses mimic the executable by using slightly misspelt variations of the executable’s file name. Secondly, you should determine the location of the executable.
The uncserver.exe file should run from “C:\Program Files\lenovo\system update\tvsu.exe”. If the uncserver.exe file is located elsewhere on your computer, then it is likely a virus. It is possible to locate files on your computer through Windows Task Manager. Simply open the Task manager, go to View, Select Columns, and then select Image Path Name. You can also detect viruses on your computer with Microsoft’s Process Explorer.
To do so, start the program and activate Check Legends which is located under Options. Then, go to View, Select Columns, and then add Verified Signer as one of the columns. If the Verified Signer status of an executable process is listed as Unable to Verify, you should inspect the process further. The file size of uncserver.exe is about 13.4 MB so if the file is larger or smaller than this size then it is likely a virus. Once you have determined the file to be a virus, you can remove the file from your computer using an anti-virus application like Malwarebytes.
How to Fix Issues Caused by UNCServer.exe
If you have determined the file on your computer to be the correct version of uncserver.exe but it is still causing problems on your computer, then you are likely dealing with the bug that causes uncserver.exe to run when system updates are not occurring. To be sure that this is the case, press ‘ALT’ + ’tab’ to open a task window during a system update.
At this point, uncserver.exe should be running. However, if the system update has ended and uncserver.exe is still running, then you are dealing with the bug. To resolve this issue there are two troubleshooting methods that you can try.
One of these methods is to simply remove the uncserver.exe process from your computer, which is not recommended. However, if the process is causing your computer problems and you have exhausted all other options, then it might be your best course of action. Roughly three percent of people have removed this file on their Lenovo computers so it might not have any significant harmful effect on your computer, but it is best to be absolutely sure before removing the executable.
1. Disable the TVSUUpdateTask
Before removing uncserver.exe from your computer, a less risky way to prevent the executable from draining your CPU and bandwidth is to disable the TVSUUpdateTask under task manager. To disable the TVSUUpdateTask under task manager, follow these six steps.
- Open a Run dialog box by pressing the Windows key + R simultaneously. Then, type “taskschd.msc” into the text box and press Enter to open up the Task Scheduler utility.
- Once inside the Task Scheduler, expand the vertical menu on the right, labeled Task Scheduler Library, and select TVT from the sub-menu.
- Then, move over to the right-hand pane menu and scroll down through the list of tasks until you locate TVSUUpdateTask.
- When you see it, right-click on it and choose Disable from the context menu to disable the task.
- Once it is finished, restart your computer.
- On the next startup sequence, Lenovo System Update will no longer run on a schedule, but you can still activate Lenovo System Update, and in turn uncserver.exe, manually if you choose to do so.
2. Uninstall Lenovo System Update
Although this troubleshooting method is slightly riskier than disabling the TVSUUpdateTask, uninstalling Lenovo System Update is the quickest way to resolve issues caused by uncserver.exe on your computer. To uninstall Lenovo System Update on your computer, follow these four steps.
- Open a Run dialog box by pressing Windows key + R simultaneously. Then, type “appwiz.cpl” into the text box and press Enter to open the Program and Features window.
- Once you arrive inside the Program and Features window, scroll through the list of applications and locate Lenovo System Update. Once you have located it, right-click on it and choose Uninstall from the context menu.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process. Once it is complete, restart your computer.
- After the subsequent startup sequence is complete, check Task Manager to ensure it is gone from the list of processes.
In Conclusion
At this point, it should be clear what uncserver.exe does for your computer, whether or not it is a virus, and how to resolve the bug that causes uncserver.exe to constantly run on your computer. If you follow the troubleshooting methods listed in the section above, your CPU and bandwidth overconsumption issues will be resolved in no time.