What is PXImouse? Is it a Virus? Should you Delete it?

Most users are not really bothered about PXImouse. That is until one labels it as a virus or a keylogger tracking your movements and reporting it to some insidious corporation. 

On the contrary, PXImouse enables your mouse to operate smoothly. This is applicable especially for those mouses that use sensors built by PixArt. PXImouse usually runs in the background as long as it is not required for active consumption. So, in summary – 

PXImouse is a safe driver application for Windows that helps you operate the PixArt mouse. It gets automatically installed in your system for proper functioning of the mouse. PXImouse is not a virus or malware. However, the outdated version of PXImouse can make way for malicious apps. 

What is PXImouse?

In simple words, PXImouse is a program that is installed in your system. It is also known as PixArt Mouse or TiltWheelMouse.exe. You can view it if you go to your Task Manager.

The task manager will display all the programs and processes running at any given time on your computer. Just press Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys to open the task manager on Windows.

The PXImouse program runs by itself when you connect your system to any compatible device. One usually doesn’t notice PXImouse as long as your mouse is working properly. To ensure that it is working properly, you need to uninstall the drivers and then reinstall it.

This executable silently works in the background just like the drivers of other hardware interfaces like printer. It provides driver support and makes sure that your mouse works smoothly. It will use different levels of memory and CPU usage depending on the usage of your mouse.

What does PXImouse do?

An executable file, PXImouse offers driver support to a mouse that has PixArt sensors. It installs automatically after the mouse has been plugged in. PXImouse can pose a problem at times, if you don’t have the latest version installed. Using an obsolete version of PXImouse may be the reason behind your computer running slow.

The obsolete version causes the driver files to malfunction. As a result, you will receive error messages notifying you about the same.

In addition to that, an outdated PXImouse gives way to multiple malware programs that can impersonate PXImouse and hide in your system. If your PXImouse is updated, these unauthorised programs will not be able to run in your system. The chances of a malware program running poses the question, Is PXImouse safe? Is PXImouse a virus?

Is PXImouse a virus?

The simple answer is No. PXImouse is just a driver that ensures your mouse to function properly. This is in reference to its side buttons or other functions of the mouse in addition to its usual pointing and clicking. All concerns about PXImouse being a virus are linked to a program similar to PXImouse called TiltMouseWheel.exe. 

Most of the times, any malware in your system impersonates this program thereby making it undetectable. The program is also not associated with PXImouse and can be found in different locations in your system, making it more difficult to be spotted.

In case you come across this program but not in your C Drive under the System folder, you need to examine it. It might be the malware that is out to harm your computer. Furthermore, it may have nothing to do with PXImouse.

In case you do come across a suspicious process like the one above, you can have it checked to see if it’s a malware or not.

  • Upload the .exe file to a website to get it scanned.
  • The scan results will show if the program is in fact a malware or not.
  • You can conduct this scanning on websites such as virustotal.com that offers it for free.

Every time a new virus is spotted, these websites use that information to update their databases and alert the security community so that the security companies can update their virus definitions. Follow the steps below to check if PXImouse is a virus or not:

  • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and open the Task Manager. 
  • Right-click on PXImouse and click the Open File Location option.
  • You can see where PXImouse is situated in your system.
  • From your Task Manager, open this file location.
  • As long as the file is in C drive, you are safe.

But what if that is not the situation? In that case, use Windows Defender to scan the file. Here’s how you can do it:

  • Right-click on the file that you find suspicious.
  • Select the option that reads “Scan with Windows Defender…
  • Following this, Windows will scan your file and notify you if its harmful or not.

If Windows Defender notifies that PXImouse is not a virus, then you don’t have to be worried about anything.

If however, Windows Defender or any other security app like Avast reports that PXImouse is unsafe for your system or is in fact a virus then you may want to delete it from your system.

We will go through the steps of deleting PXImouse safely from Windows in the later part of this article.

PixArt Imaging Startup

Your mouse may not function properly if you disable the PXImouse. This is because your mouse has a sensor made by PixArt that is key to its functioning. Disabling PXImouse means losing the total functioning of the mouse or at least a few of it features.

In case you have disabled PXImouse thinking that it is a malware, follow either of the two methods below to fix it.

  • Connect a different not requiring PXImouse to function and then reinstall/ re-enable PXImouse on your system. You will now be able to use it for your original mouse.
  • Use keystrokes, so that you get inside your computer and then re-enable/ reinstall PXImouse in order to use it for your mouse.

A majority of the users usually opt for the first method. This is because it allows the user to point and click. Therefore, when they are installing the software, it is incredibly beneficial.

The second option is usually time consuming as well as inefficient. Additionally, keystrokes may not be as functional as the previous option when it comes to navigating to Windows.

PXImouse software running in the background

If you have PXImouse installed in your system, every time you switch on your mouse, it will start running on its own in the background. While it doesn’t exactly pose any malware related threat, PXImouse may consume your system’s memory.

This happens especially when PXImouse is reaching out and detecting a PixArtmouse that is connected to your computer. PXImouse provides the required driver support to this file. 

You might spot that your system seems to be slowing down or that it is consuming more resources than required. These resources might have been diverted to some other useful place. In order to do that, it is imperative that your system has PXImouse. 

How to delete PXImouse from Windows

Even after the assurances provided above, if you are still unsure about keeping it then follow the steps below. But proceed only if you are absolutely sure. Or else might end up with a malfunctioning mouse (which of course can be corrected again by reinstalling PXImouse service).

  • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and open Task Manager.
  • Find PXIMouse.exe and then right-click the file.
  • Click on the option that says Open File Location.
  • Open Task Manager again and click on the End-Task option.
  • Open the folder which contains the PXImouse file.
  • Right-click on the file and then select the Delete option.

Now you what what is PXImouse and also how to delete it if you are really annoyed by it. Most of the times, users wish to delete PXImouse if they feel that this executable file is slowing down their system.

Conclusion

In the end, it must be stressed though that PXImouse is not any malware that intends to harm your system. Granted that the name of the program may sound like a virus, especially for those who are not aware of it or do not know about its functions.

In all likelihood, they will be suspicious of such a program and want to get rid of it so that they can keep their system safe.

However, all users must remember that there is in fact nothing to afraid of especially with the program’s support for PixArt. If you think your system is slowing down, it is not because of the program per se, but due to its outdated version.

Additionally, another program with a similarly twisted name called TiltWheelMouse.exe may be the cause of this slowing down. But under all circumstances you will always have the opportunity to uninstall the program whenever you feel like it.

p538428
Login/Register access is temporary disabled