Among the many executable files that run on Microsoft’s Windows operating system, seaport.exe is one. It’s not a malware application that you need to be worried about. Read to know all about its exact functionality.
Are you a techie who’s very picky about what runs on his computer? Do you periodically check all the process libraries running on your desktop computer or laptop? Have you, in recent times come across a process, which runs in the task manager, known as ‘seaport.exe’?
If the answer to these questions is a resounding yes, then there are some more questions, which you will have to answer, before you get all the answers. Do you use or have any of Windows Live features, like Messenger, Mail, Live Writer, etc. installed on your system? Have you downloaded anything to do with Windows Live recently? If the answers to all these questions are positive, having seaport.exe running on your system is nothing to worry about. Let’s see how that executable file landed up on your computer.
Seaport.exe in Task Manager
Do you know how to enable task manager? Well there are two ways, you can either press Ctrl+Alt+Del simultaneously, or right-click on the task bar, and you will see the option ‘Task Manager’. Click on it. You will come across a file called seaport.exe, running in the task manager.
Seaport.exe is a part of Microsoft’s Search Enhancement pack, which enables the detection, download, and installation of up-to-date configuration files for all enhancement applications. It comes bundled with Windows Live Suite, irrespective of what option was chosen by the user during installation.
Information found in Services Administrator Tool, about the file, reads as “Enables the detection, download, and installation of up-to-date configuration files for Microsoft’s Search Enhancement applications. Also provides server communication for the customer experience improvement program. If this service is disabled, search enhancement features such as search history may not work correctly“.
In other words, it is nothing more than an automatic update for Microsoft Search Enhancement applications. It runs automatically and continuously at startup, regardless of whether any searches have been performed, or browser windows have been opened. It also means that additional time is added to the boot-up process and the resource usage starts immediately.
Seaport.exe uses approximately 4.5 MB of RAM. For most users, this may seem to be too much for a process, whose primary function is to download and install configuration files for minor enhancement to the search function. In case, if someone does use search history, then the extra boot time, memory usage and network bandwidth becomes an overhead for the system. Along with this disadvantage, a user can come across an error due to this executable file, and the browser may not be able to function properly, crashing sometimes.
Is Seaport.exe Harmful?
It is important to note that seaport.exe is not a virus, malware, trojan or any other software, which can prove to be harmful to your system. Although, it is not a malicious software, it uses a lot of system resources.