Disable mdm.exe that is running on your task manager

What is Mdm.exe?

Mdm.exe, is an executable file where MDM denotes – Machine Debug Manager. This utility provides debugging interface for Internet Explorer browser with its scripting tools. This is not a system file and its located in the directory – C:\Program Files\Common Files (C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7Debug\MDM.EXE). It’s 264 – 490 kb in size. Mdm.exe is the subject of this article because its on the task manager, and it starts up on the windows start up automatically. Its one of the files that is on the Windows Start up list. So Unless you use it for the debugging purpose, you don’t need this file and can disable it from the MSCONFIG utility. Let’s talk about that.

How to disable Mdm.exe?

You can either turn it off from the Internet Explorer or from the MSCONFIG or Registry Windows Start up entry.

From the Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer, go to Tools and click Internet Options.
2. Click the Advanced tab.
3. Check Disable script debugging.
4. Click OK.
5. Close the Internet Explorer.

That’s it. You can uncheck  Disable script debugging to enable it.

From the MSCONFIG

1. Click Start Menu, Click Run.
2. In the open box, type MSCONFIG and click Enter.
3. Go to the Startup tab.
4. Uncheck the MDM.
5. Click ok to save.
6. Exit MSCONFIG.

From the Windows registry

1. Click Start Menu, Click Run.
2. In the open box, type “REGEDIT” and click enter.
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
4. Right click MDM7, you may see MDM6 or any number after MDM. Delete it.
5. Check in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run as well.
6. Close the Registry Editor.
7. Restart the computer.

Virus disguising in the name of MDM.exe

Any file that is not in the location -> C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7Debug\MDM.EXE and not in the size 264 – 490 KB is suspicious.

Some known location of a trojan horse (Agent-EMT Trojan) – C:\Windows\System32\MDM.exe

or at C:\Windows\MDM.exe

If it’s suspicious Run a Malware Bytes, Anti-Malware Scan.