What Is cmstp.exe & How Do I Use It?
Detailed guide on the cmstp.exe command line utility and how to properly use it
The Windows operating system comes with many command line tools, and cmstp.exe is one of these tools. We have discussed other command line tools like Bash.exe and cmdkey.exe, so do well to check them after reading this guide.
We will focus on the cmstp.exe process and will cover everything you need to know about this file.
What is Cmstp used for?
The Microsoft Connection Manager Profile Installer (cmstp.exe) is a command-line utility designed to install Connection Manager service profiles. By utilizing an installation information file (INF) as an input parameter, CMSTP.exe deploys a service profile that facilitates remote access connections.
Some of its functions include the following.
- It helps in installing and removing Connection Manager service profiles.
- It can be useful in troubleshooting Connection Manager service profiles that are not functioning properly.
- It can be used to enable and disable Connection Manager service profile.
- Cmstp.exe can also update the Connection Manager service profile to the latest settings.
Where is the Cmstp EXE file?
Generally, the cmstp.exe file is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder; however, sometimes you can find the file in a subfolder of C:\Windows. To determine the location of the Cmstp.exe file, follow the steps below.
- Press Windows + R, type cmd in the text field, then hold Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the command prompt with administrative privileges.
- Once you are in the command prompt, paste the command below and hit Enter.
where cmstp.exe
- Running this command should display the path to the file.
How do I use cmstp.exe?
Use the command prompt
- Press Windows + R, type cmd in the text field, then hold Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the command prompt with administrative privileges.
- Once you are in the command prompt, paste the command below and hit Enter.
cmstp [options] - Some of the options you can use with cmstp.exe are listed below.
- /nf: This option tells your computer that the support files should not be installed.
- /u: This option states that the service profile should be uninstalled.
- /s: This option enables the service profile to be installed or uninstalled silently without displaying a verification message.
- /q:a: This will ensure that the service profile is installed or uninstalled without alerting the user, but the verification message that the operation was successful will be displayed.
For instance, if you want to install the fiction service profile without any support files, use the command below.fiction.exe /c:cmstp.exe fiction.inf /nf
To silently uninstall the fiction service profile, use the command below.fiction.exe /c:cmstp.exe fiction.inf /s /u
And if you want to silently install the fiction service profile, use the command below.fiction.exe /c:cmstp.exe fiction.inf /s /su
Is it safe to disable Windows Connection Manager?
Disabling Windows Connection Manager depends on your individual needs; however, you should know that disabling this process will make it impossible for your device to connect to networks automatically, and you might be unable to connect to a wireless network. You may not be able to troubleshoot connection errors.
So, we recommend allowing this process to run on your device to prevent these problems. However, you can disable this process if you are experiencing a network problem or using a third-party network manager.
This is as much as we can write about the cmstp.exe command line tool. If you have further questions about this process, please tell us in the comment section below.
