GridinSoft Threat Intelligence
service-controller.exe threat report
GridinSoft Anti-Malware detection
Detected by GridinSoft before you download
The current ThreatInfo record shows this exact file hash detected as PUP.WebCompanion. Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware to scan the device, confirm whether this file is present, and remove the detected object if it is found.
- Detection name
- PUP.WebCompanion
- Recommended action
- Scan and remove
- Last analysis
- 2026-05-12 23:01:13 (2 weeks ago)
- File hash
- 169d796292441abc227a47adebe4ad16
Why it matters
Why GridinSoft flags this file
GridinSoft identifies the sample as PUP.WebCompanion, part of the PUP threat category.
Potentially unwanted programs, bundlers, installers, and utilities with intrusive behavior. Related PUP reports help compare this file with nearby detections, publishers, and hashes.
First seen 2026-05-12 23:01:13 (2 weeks ago); latest analysis 2026-05-12 23:01:13 (2 weeks ago).
Company metadata: Avanquest. Product metadata: PC HelpSoft Driver Updater.
Signed by Adaware Software (7270356 CANADA INC.). The signature is reported as valid, but signed files can still be bundled or abused.
ThreatInfo has seen this file in user or system paths listed below. Unexpected locations increase the need for local verification.
Recommended action
What to do next
- Compare the MD5 above with the file found on the device.
- Check whether the file appears in the observed locations or under one of the alternate names.
- Run GridinSoft Anti-Malware to confirm the detection and remove the file if it is present. Review the PUP category for related samples and common context.
File context
service-controller.exe is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with PC HelpSoft Driver Updater. The reported company name is Avanquest. The current detection status is PUP.WebCompanion, based on the latest analysis from 2026-05-12 23:01:13 (2 weeks ago). ThreatInfo groups this verdict with PUP reports for broader family-level investigation.
If service-controller.exe appears on your computer unexpectedly, treat it as suspicious. Check its location, digital signature, and recent system changes before allowing it to run. A full anti-malware scan is recommended when this file is detected as PUP.WebCompanion.
File Details
| Product Name: | PC HelpSoft Driver Updater |
| Company Name: | Avanquest |
| MD5: | 169d796292441abc227a47adebe4ad16 |
| Size: | 879 KB |
| First Published: | 2026-05-12 23:01:13 (2 weeks ago) |
| Latest Published: | 2026-05-12 23:01:13 (2 weeks ago) |
| Status: | PUP.WebCompanion (on last analysis) | |
| Analysis Date: | 2026-05-12 23:01:13 (2 weeks ago) |
Detection screenshot
The screenshot is a visual record of a GridinSoft Anti-Malware detection for this sample. Use the hash and metadata above as the primary identifiers when comparing the file on your system.
Overview
| Signed By: | Adaware Software (7270356 CANADA INC.) |
| Status: | Valid |
The signature on service-controller.exe is reported as valid. A valid signature helps confirm publisher identity, but it does not automatically make the file safe if the installer was bundled, abused, or downloaded from an untrusted source.
Common Places:
| %programfiles%\avanquest\driver updater\application |
ThreatInfo has observed service-controller.exe in the locations listed above. Files found in temporary folders, user profile folders, startup locations, or unusual application directories should be reviewed more carefully than files installed under a known program directory.
Geographic signal
Observed country distribution
ThreatInfo has seen service-controller.exe across 1 countries. Use this signal to compare local evidence with where the sample is most often reported.
The strongest geographic signal for this file is Canada with 100.0% of observed hits. Geographic distribution can help identify targeted campaigns, regional software bundles, or where a file is most commonly reported.
OS Version:
The most common operating system signal for service-controller.exe is Windows 10 with 100.0% of observed hits. If your system differs from the common profile, check whether the file was introduced by a specific installer, archive, or removable device.
Analysis
service-controller.exe is identified as pe for 64-bit systems. The subsystem is Windows CUI. PE header values are useful for triage, especially when they do not match the expected publisher, product, or release timeline.
PE Sections:
Section layout highlights raw-size concentration, repeated names, packer markers, and hashes that can be compared across related samples.
c0a6c4836504135a7cc45531c4f4a65d
9aae262de9972164ba5699987084dab7
5fb667211043793bc01bb321bb58d2cc
2786ca6543c31f73780b52311cfbed47
0fab02e164b1c218576c846893395172
5ae798f3a624cf71832f22248795a385
PE section names and hashes can reveal packing, injected resources, or unusual build artifacts. Sections with uncommon names, very large raw data, or hashes that differ from a trusted copy deserve additional review.
Report conclusion
GridinSoft detects this file as PUP.WebCompanion
This report identifies service-controller.exe by MD5 169d796292441abc227a47adebe4ad16. It is part of the PUP report group. If the same file is present on your device, scan the system and remove the detected object after confirming the hash and location.