What Is Winload.exe?
Is Winload.exe a Virus?
Unfortunately, you’ll find a lot of information out there that says otherwise.
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This will never change and is the exact same no matter what version of Windows you’re using.
In this case, it’s fine to remove since it isn’t a realboot file.
The copy you find online could be malware, masquerading as the file you’re looking for.
However, instead of using atraditional antivirus programthat runs frominsideWindows, use freebootable antivirus tools.
Assuming the winload.exe issue is due to malware, this could be a really simple fix for your problem.
More Information on Winload.exe
BOOTMGR will startwinresume.exeinstead of winload.exe if the computer was in hibernation mode.
ThatEXE fileis located in the same folder as winload.exe.
Copies of winload.exe can be found in subfolders ofC:\Windows, likeBootandWinSxS, and maybe others.
Under UEFI-based systems, winload.exe is calledwinload.efi, and can be found in the same System32 folder.
TheEFI extensionis executable only for the boot manager that exists in the UEFIfirmware.
