Solved Why does PunkBuster start with Windows?


rzn6jw

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Win 11Pro v24H2 build 26100.3775
I noticed in task manager that PnkBstrA.exe was running every time Windows 11 starts. Looking at the file location, I see that it's in Windows/SysWOW64. I also noticed that there are 5 other variations of the PnkBstrA.exe application: A1.exe, B.ex0, B.exe, B.xtr, and B1.exe.

Is this part of the Windows 11 security? It's not in any startup group I can find but it still starts with Windows.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11Pro v24H2 build 26100.3775
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DIY
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte X670 Aorus Elite AX
    Memory
    64G DDR5 6000
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS RTX 4070 Ti Super OC
    Sound Card
    Soundblaster Z SE
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 24"
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    C: drive SOLIDIGM P44 PRO 2TB SSD
    D: drive SOLIDIGM P44 PRO 2TB SSD
    H: drive Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2TB SSD
    PSU
    Corsair RM850X
    Case
    GameMax
    Cooling
    NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB 2024
    Keyboard
    Corsair
    Mouse
    Razor
    Internet Speed
    Gigabyte
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
Delete it, it is no longer needed. It will be in a Game folder that may be in Steam. Just search for it and uninstall it.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Pro 26100.4484
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Alienware Aurora R16
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 14900F (24 -Core, 68 MB Total Cache)
    Motherboard
    Dell Alienware
    Memory
    32GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 4080 Super w/576.88
    Sound Card
    Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Corsair XENEON 32QHD165
    Screen Resolution
    2560 X 1440
    Hard Drives
    1-2TB Samsung 990 Pro PCIe NVMe M2 SSD
    1-4TB Samsung 990 Pro PCIe NVMe M2 SSD
    PSU
    1000 Watt Platinum Dell
    Case
    Alienware
    Cooling
    Liquid Closed Loop
    Keyboard
    Corsair Strafe RGB MK.2
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 Pro
    Internet Speed
    1000Gb's Down-20 Up
    Browser
    Firefox 140.0.2
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Very Quiet And Fast
    CyberPower UPS CP1500PFCLCD
  • Operating System
    MX-Linux 23.6 AHS
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    IBuypower
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 1315u
    Motherboard
    ASRock
    Memory
    32GB DDR5
    Graphics card(s)
    PNY RTX 4017
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 2419HGCF
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 980 PRO SSD 2TB, PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280
    PSU
    850Watt
    Case
    Small
    Cooling
    Closed loop Liquid
    Keyboard
    IBP
    Mouse
    IBP
    Internet Speed
    1GB
    Browser
    Firefox 140.0.2
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Noisy but fast
Punk Buster is a multiplayer anti cheat utility, it is probably installed as part of an old game setup and is a blast from the past. Very doubtful is of any use these days, but may be needed for compatibility with some older games.
As Josey says, you can probably remove it, or at least stop it starting with Windows, if you find it hard to get to, try Autoruns from Sysinternals which should allow you to disable it rather than un install it, which will also prevent it loading on start up, just in case. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 22H2, build: 22621.521
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Scan 3XS Custom 1700
    CPU
    Intel i7-12700K 3.6GHz Base (5.0GHz Turbo)
    Motherboard
    Asus ProArt Creator B660 D4
    Memory
    64GB DDR 3600Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus Tuff RTX 3080 10GB OC
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gigabyte G32QC 32inch 16:9 curved @2560 x 1440p 165Hz Freesync Premium Pro/ Dell SE2422H 24inch 16:9 1920 x 1080p 75Hz Freesync
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440p & 1920 x 1080p
    Hard Drives
    WD SN570 1TB NVME (Boot), Samsung 870QVO 1TB (SSD), SanDisk 3D Ultra 500Gb (SSD) x2, Seagate 3Tb Expansion Desk (Ext HDD), 2x Toshiba 1Tb P300 (Ext HDD)
    PSU
    Corsair RM1000X Modular
    Case
    Corsair 4000D Airflow Desktop
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H150i RGB Pro XT 360mm Liquid Cooler, 3 x 120mm fans, 1x Exhaust
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Ergonomic
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    800Mbs
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Defender, Malwarebytes
Only place I could find it was in the Windows/SysWOW64 folder. Will try to delete it and see what happens on a reboot.

OK, removed PnkBstrA and rebooted and it didn't start with Windows. Will keep an eye on whether it runs again and what app starts it and list it here.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11Pro v24H2 build 26100.3775
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DIY
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte X670 Aorus Elite AX
    Memory
    64G DDR5 6000
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS RTX 4070 Ti Super OC
    Sound Card
    Soundblaster Z SE
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 24"
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    C: drive SOLIDIGM P44 PRO 2TB SSD
    D: drive SOLIDIGM P44 PRO 2TB SSD
    H: drive Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2TB SSD
    PSU
    Corsair RM850X
    Case
    GameMax
    Cooling
    NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB 2024
    Keyboard
    Corsair
    Mouse
    Razor
    Internet Speed
    Gigabyte
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
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