What Is Atbroker.exe & How to Fix Its High CPU Usage
Using the Task Manager to end the AtBroker.exe process should fix its high CPU usage
The Windows operating system has numerous processes running silently in the background. In a previous guide, we discussed one of these processes known as poqexec.exe. However, this article will discuss another critical background process called AtBroker.exe.
We will explain what this file means, what it does, and how to resolve its high CPU usage.
What is Windows Assistive Technology Manager?
The Windows Assistive Technology Manager (AT Manager) is an element of the operating system that facilitates the interaction of assistive technology (AT) products with both generic and specific user interface (UI) components.
This process is an important component for people with disabilities who rely heavily on assistive technology to make use of their computers. Some of the functions of this process are listed below.
- It has the crucial role of managing assistive technology settings and ensuring they work as intended.
- The AT Manager helps to organize and keep a list of all the AT products installed on your device.
- It also helps to provide feedback to AT products to ensure that they give out accurate results to users.
How do I fix AtBroker.exe high CPU usage?
Before diving straight into our more comprehensive fixes, we recommend trying out these quick workarounds.
- Restart atbroker.exe – Restarting the program can help resolve the high CPU consumption problem.
- Reboot your device – Another thing you can do to fix this problem is to restart your device. This will enable your computer to refresh and this process can potentially fix this error.
- Update your Windows OS – Ensure your device is up-to-date because an outdated computer will make you run into many problems.
If the steps above do not work, try out the solutions below.
1. End the process from the Task Manager
- Hold Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- Locate the AtBroker.exe process, right-click on it, and select End task.
- This process should resolve this issue.
2. Run a full system scan
- Hold the Windows + R keys together to open the Run dialogue, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the command prompt as an administrator.
- When the command prompt opens, input the command below and press Enter.
cd C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\4.18*
- Now, paste the command below to begin a full scan.
MpCmdRun -Scan -ScanType 2 - Allow the process to finish and see if the problem has been fixed. If Windows Defender fails to detect the error, read this guide to get the best antivirus programs that perform better than Windows Defender.
3. Update device drivers
- Right-click on the start menu icon and pick Device Manager from the list of options.
- Click on the little arrow for the driver that requires an update, right-click on it, and choose Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for drivers.
- After updating all outdated drivers, check to see if the CPU usage has reduced.
Is AtBroker.exe a Virus?
According to our findings, AtBroker.exe is a genuine Windows process that performs a specific task on your device. However, many malware programs disguise themselves as this file to gain access to your device without detection, so we advise you to be careful when dealing with this process.
How do I know if my AtBroker.exe is a virus?
If you suspect the AtBroker.exe has been infected, follow the steps below.
- Check the file location – By default, AtBroker.exe should be in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. If you discover the file is in a strange location, you should be careful as this could be malware.
- Verify the file size – A legitimate AtBroker.exe file should be around 62kb, so if you discover that the file is larger or smaller than this, you should probably run a malware scan as this could be a virus.
- Check the file’s digital signature – A genuine AtBroker.exe process should have a digital signature from Microsoft. If the file does not have any signature, it could be malware.
In conclusion, we have successfully discussed what the AtBroker.exe means, its functions, and how to recognize if it is a legitimate or malicious program. If you have further questions about this process, please tell us in the comment section below.
