What is the "System" process on windows 7? Is the "System" process a virus? Can I terminate the "System" process?

"System - NT Kernel & System" process is the kernel process of Windows 7 operating system.

On the Processes tab of "Task Manager", "System" process may be listed as:

Image Name                 Memory   Description
--------------------   ----------   -----------
System                       36 K   NT Kernel & System

Additional information about "System" process:

Started by: Boot program

Some data files used:
C:\hiberfil.sys
C:\pagefile.sys
C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\EQUATION\MTEXTRA.TTF
C:\SafeBoot.fs
C:\SafeBoot.rsv
C:\System Volume Information\Syscache.hve
C:\System Volume Information\Syscache.hve.LOG1
C:\Users\fyicenter\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\UsrClass.dat
C:\Users\fyicenter\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\UsrClass.dat.LOG1
C:\Users\fyicenter\ntuser.dat
C:\Users\fyicenter\ntuser.dat.LOG1
C:\Windows\CSC
C:\Windows\CSC\v2.0.6
C:\Windows\CSC\v2.0.6\namespace
C:\Windows\CSC\v2.0.6\pq
C:\Windows\CSC\v2.0.6\temp
C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\NTUSER.DAT
C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\NTUSER.DAT.LOG1
C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\NTUSER.DAT
C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\NTUSER.DAT.LOG1
C:\Windows\System32\config\DEFAULT
C:\Windows\System32\config\DEFAULT.LOG1
C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack\DEFAULT
C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack\SAM
C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack\SECURITY
C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack\SOFTWARE
C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack\SYSTEM
C:\Windows\System32\config\SAM
C:\Windows\System32\config\SAM.LOG1
C:\Windows\System32\config\SECURITY
C:\Windows\System32\config\SECURITY.LOG1
C:\Windows\System32\config\SOFTWARE
C:\Windows\System32\config\SOFTWARE.LOG1
C:\Windows\System32\config\SYSTEM
C:\Windows\System32\config\SYSTEM.LOG1
C:\Windows\System32\ivireg.ivr
C:\Windows\System32\wfp\wfpdiag.etl
C:\Windows\bootstat.dat
C:\Windows\ehome\WTVGOTHIC-S.ttc
C:\Windows\ehome\WTVGOTHIC-S.ttc
C:\Windows\ehome\malgunmc.ttf
C:\Windows\ehome\malgunmc.ttf
...

"System" process is not a virus. You should not terminate "System" process.

⇒ "smss.exe" Process on Windows 7

⇐ "System Idle Process" on Windows 7

⇑ System Processes on Windows 7

⇑⇑ Windows 7 Processes Tutorials