Most Common Malware Related Processes-Startdrv.exe

There are two possible reasons for having the startdrv.exe process installed on your computer. Once is a genuine and useful file published by Microsoft while the other belongs to a Trojan Downloader, that is entirely undesirable and needs removing from your system as soon as possible.

While startdrv.exe is not a necessary Windows core file, it is included in many Compaq systems and is designed to run on startup. This genuine file is usually located within the Program Files of your computer and is safe to leave running unless it is known to be causing problems on your computer.

If the startdrv.exe file is located in the temp folder of your computer, or any folder other than the Program Files folder then it is likely a part of a Downloader. Downloaders are used to communicate with remote servers, and download and install malicious code and applications. Use antispyware to rid your system of this infection.