Lsass.exe is an executable file responsible for managing the security and authentication process on the computer. It stands for “Local Security Authority Subsystem Service” and is a critical system process for a Windows 11 or 10 computer.
It is responsible for verifying login credentials, such as username and password, and creating access tokens. It also monitors system security settings, user accounts, and authentication policies. It is an important part of the Windows operating system because it helps the system to protect against unauthorized access.
What is lsass.exe? And what does lsass.exe do on my PC?
Lsass.exe is normally located in the c:\windows\system32\ folder and is 111 KB in size in Windows 11.
It is usually started at startup and runs until the computer is shut down. It is signed with a certificate by Microsoft, which means it is legitimate and should not be modified or deleted, just like file rundll32. If the file is tampered with or it is deleted, it can cause serious system problems such as not being able to log in.
The Lsass.exe file is also responsible for encrypting and decrypting passwords and other sensitive data. It is used to authenticate users when they log into the computer and is used to store user passwords and other credentials. It also stores credentials for other users on the system, such as remote desktop users.
For lsass.exe to function properly, it must be kept up to date. It is important to ensure that the latest version of the file is installed and that it is not infected with malware. If your computer runs slowly or freezes frequently, it may be due to an outdated or damaged version of lsass.exe. It is important to run regular scans of your system and keep the file up to date.
In some cases, lsass.exe causes problems. This could be malware, or a slowed down system. To solve this, check the computer for malware with Malwarebytes. It sometimes happens that malware tries to imitate the name lsass.exe to pretend to be a legitimate process.
If you are having problems with a slow computer due to the lsass.exe process then I recommend checking the computer for errors with SFC and DISM.
Run DISM
DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) is a built-in tool that can be used to maintain and manage Windows images, such as those used for the installation of Windows.
It can be used to install, uninstall, configure and update Windows features, packages, drivers and settings. It can also be used to enable or disable Windows features and to repair Windows images.
To repair the Windows image you can run the following command. The repair process is then carried out itself.
Open the Command Prompt as administrator. Enter the following command:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth
Once the DISM RestoreHealth command has been executed, next execute SFC.
Run SFC
System File Checker (SFC) is a utility in Windows 11 or 10 that allows users to scan for corruptions in Windows system files such as lsass.exe and can restore them.
It is an important part of keeping Windows running smoothly as it allows users to quickly locate and repair system files that have become corrupted. SFC is a built-in utility in Windows and can be safely run by anyone.
When System File Checker is run, it will scan all protected system files and replace damaged or missing files with the correct versions. It is important to note that while SFC is a useful tool, it is not a replacement for regular exercise make a backup of your data. It is only intended to repair system files and cannot be used to recover data or personal files.
Open the Command Prompt as administrator. Enter the following command:
SFC /scannow
Wait for SFC to complete. Now shut down your computer and check if the problem is resolved. If the problem is not solved now, I recommend that you try the PC repair.
I hope to have informed you with this. Thank you for reading!