Devicecensus exe что это за процесс windows 10

If you are using a firewall on your Windows 10 PCs and have configured the protective layer to inform you about new processes that try to establish outbound connections, you may have noticed that a program called devicecensus.exe attempting to establish a connection regularly.

I noticed the process on a Windows 10 version 1809 machine. The process would try to establish an Internet connection shortly after startup.

A few questions may come to mind:

  • Is devicecensus.exe a legitimate process?
  • Why does it require Internet connectivity?
  • Is it related to Telemetry?
  • What kind of information is it transmitting?

What is devicecensus.exe on Windows 10?

The program devicecensus.exe is a legitimate Windows file provided that it is signed by Microsoft and found in the folder C:\Windows\System32 (the Windows installation location may vary depending on how this was set up during installation).

Users or system administrators cannot delete or rename the file in the location.

The process is started by a scheduled task that is run once per day. The task was set to run at 3:00 AM every day and by custom triggers as well on a test machine running Windows 10 version 1809.

devicecensus task

You may check the task in the following way:

  1. Open the Start Menu.
  2. Type Task Scheduler and load the result once search results are displayed.
  3. Go to Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > Device Information
  4. There you should find a single task called Device.

If you check under the Actions tab, you will find devicecensus.exe listed there as the action.

Tip: system administrators may right-click on the task and select disable to turn it off.

The process appears to have been a part of Windows 10 for some releases including Windows 10 version 1803 and 1809. It caused several issues in the past that Windows users reported including:

  • Trying to access the webcam of the system.
  • Reliability History reporting it as stopped working regularly.

A Microsoft support agent provided the following information in June 2017 about devicecensus,exe on the company’s Microsoft Answers support forum:

In order to target builds to your machine, we need to know a few important things:

  • — OS type (home, pro, enterprise, etc.)
  • — region
  • — language
  • — x86 or x64
  • — selected Insider ring
  • — (etc)

This is the background process that runs to check your machine and tell us which build we should send to you. :)

The process submits information about the operating system to Microsoft and Microsoft stated that the information is used to target builds.

Is devicecensus.exe needed to use Windows Update?

Microsoft stated that it uses the information to target builds to systems. Does it mean that systems won’t receive updates when you disable the task from running or block it from connecting to the Internet?

To find out, I uninstalled the latest cumulative update that was installed on the system. I fired up Windows Update after the required restart and the update was offered to the system when I did so.

I did not test if devicecensus.exe is required for feature updates or Windows Insider builds. It is possible that Microsoft uses it for these but it is easy enough to enable the task again for that or use third-party means to install the latest feature updates on Windows 10 PCs without using Windows Update at all.

Recommendation: Disable the task or block the outbound connection of the devicecensus.exe task.

Now You: What is your take on the task?

Summary

Article Name

What is devicecensus.exe on Windows 10 and why does it need Internet connectivity?

Description

The guide provides you with information about the devicecensus.exe process on Windows 10 systems that transfers system data to Microsoft.

Author

Martin Brinkmann

Publisher

Ghacks Technology News

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In this article, we will talk about Devicecensus.exe. It is an executable file that is stored in a computer system.

Want to know the kicker in it?

You will learn about the Devicecensus.exe file. How this file is created and why it is on your system.

Moreover, in this article, you will learn about the ways that are used to disable or delete the Devicecensus.exe file.

Let’s get started 

Without wasting your precious time let’s talk about Devicecensus.

Devicecensus.exe is a part of Windows 10. It is a secure system file that you can keep in your system.

It has a disadvantage that it takes too much space on PC. Because of this reason, we can say that it might contain some viruses in it.

To check that if the file has a virus or not you can use Antivirus. As you know it a part of your operating system it may be harmful to delete this file.

Because if you delete Devicecensus.exe your operating system will not work correctly.

It is a legal file that is signed by the Microsoft team. As we all know, Microsoft has many frameworks.

Only the Telemetry framework contains Devicecensus.exe. It is created in a specific directory in a C drive.

Usually, the directory for Devicecensus.exe is C:\Windows\System32. The location may change according to the windows setup files.

The main purpose of Devicecensus.exe is to collect data. All your webcam usage information is stored in the file as data. After collecting all the information, it is sent to Microsoft.

It is a strong and protected file that no one can delete it. Also, you are not able to do any changes to it.

If you want to see it you can not locate it in Task Manager. It starts and ends at different timings.

It is difficult to locate the working of Devicecensus.exe but not impossible. If you use any window function, you can see its working.

Devicecensus.exe File Information:

When you use any Antivirus software or have any security layer to check your system performance you can see the Devicecensus.exe file.

With the help of a secure layer, you can keep an eye on every process that runs on your computer system.

Whenever you use a device webcam or any external webcam you will see a notification.

This notification displays that ”Webcam Access blocked” or “Device census is using your webcam”.

This message will display only if you have antivirus software installed on your system.

Why devicecensus use Webcam?

Do not get worried when you see a message like “Devicecensus is using your webcam” or “Webcam access blocked”. These messages are for your security.

Due to antivirus software, this information is visible to you. It means that the devicecensus.exe file uses your webcam.

There are some important things that you should know if you want target builds to your machine:

  • Operating System type – Home, Pro, Enterprise, etc
  • The region in which you live
  • The language that you used
  • Insider ring that you select
  • 64-bit windows or 86-bit etc.

These steps are helpful to check the background processes of your system.

Now: you will get the required build.

  • Devicecensus.exe is a telemetry process created by Microsoft.
  • The main component that is used by devicecensus is Webcam.
  • All the information that this file receives will send to Microsoft.
  • Data transmission is anonymous.
  • Devicecensus will only check the devices that you used. It will not record your live chats.
  • Microsoft used this data to build a better version of Windows for you by removing all the bugs.

Block Devicecensus Access to Webcam:

If you want devicecensus to collect your information then you can disable it. By changing the settings in Windows 10 you can disable this feature.

  • After your System starts, Go to settings or use a shortcut key to access settings. The shortcut key for settings is WinKey + i.
  • Choose the option of Privacy and then click on the camera.
  • Now you can view the apps that access your device webcam. You can disable these apps one by one.
  • Under the option of Allow apps to access your camera, you can alter permissions.
  • After following these steps you can control your webcam

Best Practices for Resolving DeviceCensus:

Resolving DeviceCensus

Microsoft created many versions of Devicecensus.exe. In the year 2015, the first version is released for windows 10. Every person has access to it.

Each tool is cost-free and you can easily get it on Microsoft official website.

Microsoft offers a complete package that has usable tools for Windows and provides an ease to its users.

Devicecensus.exe is considered as the part of Dynamic Link Library.

As we have already discussed, Devicecensus do not provide harm to the operating system. But there are some errors that it generates.

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Runtime Errors generated by Devicecensus.exe:

These are errors at run time. Mostly these errors are Microsoft Office Access 2010 runtime errors.

Runtime errors are those are which occur when the file is loaded into the memory of another process is already running.

EXE files have the most common form of error that is a runtime error. You will face these errors when you use Microsoft Office Access 2010.

Often, Devicecensus.exe errors occur when the program is terminated abnormally.

You will get a message that shows your file is corrupt and file not found. This results in poor process execution.

You will be unable to start Microsoft Office Access 2010 if you can not resolve these errors.

The first step to resolve these errors is to find the location of devicecensus.exe. Every version of Microsoft has its location to create an EXE file.

Sometimes, these errors also occur when you accidentally remove or alter the devicecensus.exe file.

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How to Fix Errors of DeviceCensus.exe?

How to Fix Errors of DeviceCensus exe 2

There are three different steps to resolve every error due to devicecensus.exe.

Step# 1:

In this step, you restore pc to the latest restore point. You can do this on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and  10.

  1. Start your system by pressing the Start button on the CPU.
  2. In the search bar click the enter button after typing “System Restore”.
  3. Click on the System Restore among the search results.
  4. Enter your password to access the administrative files
  5. To choose a relatable restore point follow the steps given in a System Restore Wizard.
  6. To the given backup image restore your computer.

If by following these steps you can not resolve the errors then go to Step 2.

Step# 2:

If you have Microsoft Office Access 2010 then uninstall it and install the latest version.

Try to follow these given steps.

  1. Start your system by pressing the Start button on the CPU.
  2. In the search bar click the enter button after typing “Uninstall”.
  3. Click on Add or Remove Programs in the results that occurred after the search operation.
  4. Choose Microsoft Office Access 2010 and choose the Uninstall option.
  5. Follows all the rules to uninstall Access 2010.

Restart your PC, when the uninstallation is done. This will help your PC to completely remove the files.

If by following these steps you can not resolve the errors then go to Step 3.

Step# 3:

In step 3, you will update your windows. After following the above steps if you can not resolve your issues.

Then it best option to update your windows version.

Many Devicecensus.exe file issues occur due to the version of operating systems.

You can easily update your Windows if you follow these steps.

  1. Start your system by pressing the Start button on the CPU.
  2. In the search bar click the enter button after typing “Update”.
  3. Choose the Check for updates option in the windows update dialogue box.
  4. You can click on the Install Updates option if the updates are available.
  5. Restart your PC after the update is complete.

Go for the next step if still your errors are not removed by windows update.

When all the three steps are unable to remove Devicecensus.exe errors then it is better to replace this.

You can download a new version Devicecensus file and replace it in the directory where the old is stored.

Follow these steps to download and replace the new file:

  1. Follow the best sites to download the secure version of Devicecensus.exe that suits your operating system.
  2. To start your download press the download button.
  3. Here some locations where you can replace your file with the old one in Windows 10.
  4. After replacing the file restart your system.

If still your errors are not resolved then the only option is to reinstall the whole operating system.

📚 Conclusion:

Devicecensus.exe is an executable file that takes 30 to 40 of the CPU memory.

It is a telemetry service. This service provides your system information to Microsoft. You might think that your privacy is disturbed. But trust me it is betterment.

Microsoft tries to remove all the bugs that occur in the current version. It does not receive your personal information but just the information about your device.

But if you still feel some kind of insecurity you can manually delete the Devicecensus.exe.

You can use it to delete or replace the file by using multiple ways. The working of the operating system will not affect it.

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Click Here to Run a free Scan for devicecensus.exe Related Errors.

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DeviceCensus.exe file information

The process known as Device Census belongs to software Microsoft Windows Operating System by (www.microsoft.com).

Description: DeviceCensus.exe is an important part of Windows, but often causes problems. The file DeviceCensus.exe is located in a not identifiable folder.
 

It is a Windows system file. The file has a digital signature. The program has no visible window. DeviceCensus.exe is a trustworthy file from Microsoft.
Therefore the technical security rating is 5% dangerous, but you should also take into account the user reviews.

Uninstalling this variant:
You can uninstall Microsoft Windows, or try to get help from the software vendor. Click on Microsoft Windows in the Windows Control Panel (Software or Programs section) to uninstall it, or click on www.microsoft.com/windows to visit the vendor’s website.

Recommended: Identify DeviceCensus.exe related errors

Important: Some malware camouflages itself as DeviceCensus.exe. Therefore, you should check the DeviceCensus.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer’s security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.

Best practices for resolving DeviceCensus issues

A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with DeviceCensus. This means running a scan for malware, cleaning your hard drive using 1cleanmgr and 2sfc /scannow, 3uninstalling programs that you no longer need, checking for Autostart programs (using 4msconfig) and enabling Windows’ 5Automatic Update. Always remember to perform periodic backups, or at least to set restore points.

Should you experience an actual problem, try to recall the last thing you did, or the last thing you installed before the problem appeared for the first time. Use the 6resmon command to identify the processes that are causing your problem. Even for serious problems, rather than reinstalling Windows, you are better off repairing of your installation or, for Windows 8 and later versions, executing the 7DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command. This allows you to repair the operating system without losing data.

To help you analyze the DeviceCensus.exe process on your computer, the following programs have proven to be helpful: ASecurity Task Manager displays all running Windows tasks, including embedded hidden processes, such as keyboard and browser monitoring or Autostart entries. A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware or a Trojan. BMalwarebytes Anti-Malware detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, malware and trackers from your hard drive.

Other processes

aminit32.dll azmixersel.exe web.de_mailcheck_broker.exe DeviceCensus.exe gui.exe sfkex64.exe cbfs3.sys photoshop.exe aswlccsvc.exe logiaipromptbuilder.exe caffeine.exe [all]

devicecensus.exe — процесс системного приложения Device Census, которое собирает статистику об использовании веб-камеры на сайтах.

Собираемые данные нужны только для того, чтобы улучшить операционную систему в будущем. Никакие по-настоящему личные данные ваши им точно не нужны. Может быть такое сообщение, мол Device Census использует вашу веб-камеру:

Данный компонент присутствует только в Windows 10.

Можно попробовать запретить сбор такой информации — откройте окно Параметры > активируйте раздел Конфиденциальность > выберите Камера, найдите далее Центр отзывов и деактивируйте ползунок напротив:

В этом разделе также можно вообще запретить прогам использовать веб-камеру:

Процесс devicecensus.exe может пытаться установить соединение с интернетом.

Файл системный и по умолчанию запускается из данной папки:

C:\Windows\System32

Отключить запуск данного процесса можно через планировщик задач, в котором по данном пути:

Библиотека планировщика заданий > Microsoft > Windows > Device Information

После справа будет задание Device — его можно отключить, а то и вовсе удалить:

PS: перед удалением конечно можно создать все таки точку восстановления..

Самый работающий способ — просто переименовать файл %windir%/System32/DeviceCensus.exe — вам нужно открыть диспетчер задач, найти процесс, нажат правой кнопкой > выбрать открыть расположение > откроется папка и будет выделен файл. Процесс в диспетчере завершаем. А выделенный файл переименовываем, например просто в devicecensus.exe_, то есть чтобы сохранить оригинальное название. Если будут проблемы переименования — используйте утилиту Unlocker, которая умеет переименовывать заблокированные файлы/папки.

Надеюсь данная информация оказалась полезной. Удачи и добра, до новых встреч друзья!

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17.04.2021

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