aolsoftware.exe

Is aolsoftware.exe spyware, adware, or a virus?

Name of the process or task:
Be sure to always double check your spelling if you are concerned about spyware, as often spyware will use a very similiar spelling of system processes or other common tasks. aolsoftware.exe

File type:
Exe program - Files with an extension of "exe" are executable programs.

Purpose of this file:
Aolsoftware.exe is a program which could have been installed by you, or may have even arrived on your computer the day you purchased it as this may have been preinstalled software. The actual disk location is also listed below, always verify where its located on your hard drive, as this makes sure it is not spyware or adware simply placed elsewhere on your computer, and using the same name in an attempt to fool you. Aolsoftware.exe is a file that would have been installed with the AOL 9.0 software or later. The actual file location is listed below, always verify the proper location. The aolsoftware.exe program is a file that is installed whenever you download and install the AOL Explorer. It sits in your system tray and allows easy access to aol software and startup. AOL Explorer is a free program for anyone (it can be downloaded on the aol.com site) that allows you to browse the internet, use tabs, and customize your own toolbar for favorites and rss feeds. Aolsoftware.exe is considered safe and is not spyware or adware, and it can be removed from your startup as it is not required.

What is the aolsoftware.exe location, where is it stored on my computer?
The actual file will be found at c:\program files\common files\AOL\ (You may also have another folder within here but aolsoftware.exe will be in this path).

Note on file locations:
Remember that although many files are always in default file locations, some files can easily be moved to different locations or change names like many spyware, adware, or popup programs do. If you suspect you have spyware or adware, check to see if you see a similiar names stored elsewhere. It always helps to check your tasklist also to see what is currently running on your computer. You can always view the tasklist on your computer by pressing ctrl-alt-del to view your "task manager", and then click the "processes" tab. This will show you all tasks running on your computer. Dll files will NOT show on your computer tasklist, as dll files are actually part of other processes. You may see similiar program names running if spyware or adware is on your computer, for example, aolsoftware.exe may be slightly misspelled to keep you from finding it, or spyware and adware may be named very similiar to a system file. Make sure always check the location of tasks or processes if you are concerned.