Download SpyShelter
Discover our Resources →
Learn how to protect your Windows PC from malware and other threats.Application Control
Control your PC apps and their behaviors.What’s that .exe?
Is that executable safe, or a threat?SpyShelter PC Protection
Learn how to protect your PC from bad apps.Registry Protection
Protect your Windows Registry from harm.Executable Directory
Our ultimate directory of Windows PC executables.The ngen.exe is a process associated with the Microsoft Windows operating system. It stands for Native Image Generator and is responsible for improving the performance of .NET applications.
When a .NET application is installed, ngen.exe compiles and preloads the necessary assemblies to native machine code, reducing the time required to load and execute the application. This process helps in minimizing the startup time of .NET applications and improving overall performance. Ngen.exe also helps in reducing the amount of memory required for running .NET applications, ultimately leading to a smoother and more efficient user experience.
Below are 4 simple steps you can take to see if the ngen.exe process is safe or malware.
Researched by Carl @ SpyShelter Labs
A Trojan is a harmful software that pretends to be a legitimate program or file to deceive users into downloading it. It can steal personal information, damage files, or give hackers control over the infected device.
Download SpyShelter to see detailed safety information about every .exe on your PC.
Check your PC for threatsWe’ve found Microsoft Windows should be the publisher of ngen.exe.
How do we know? Our SpyShelter cybersecurity labs focuses on monitoring different types of Windows PC executables and their behaviors for our popular SpyShelter Antispyware software. Learn more about us, and how our cybersecurity team studies Windows PC executables/processes.
The publisher of an executable is the entity responsible for its distribution and authenticity. Most processes/executables on your PC should be signed. The signature on the executable should have been verified through a third party whose job it is to make sure the entity is who it says it is. Find an unsigned executable? You should consider scanning any completely unsigned .exe on your PC.
Our team at SpyShelter has been studying Windows PC executables for over 15 years, to help fight against spyware, malware, and other threats. SpyShelter has been featured in publications like The Register, PC Magazine, and many others. Now we’re working to share free, actionable, and easy to understand information about Windows executables (processes) with the world, to help as many people as possible keep their devices safe. Learn more about us on our "About SpyShelter” page.
Have any questions? Please join our free public SpyShelter PC Security Forum and talk cybersecurity with our USA-based team. We love talking about PC Security and we’d like to get to know you.
Join our PC security forum →
