What is the "sppsvc.exe" process on windows 7? Is the "sppsvc.exe" process a virus? Can I terminate the "sppsvc.exe" process?

"sppsvc.exe" process represents "Microsoft Software Protection Platform Service" program. "sppsvc.exe" process is created by the service: "SPP Notification Service".

"sppsvc.exe" process is normally running under the parent process "services" as shown in the process tree below:

Boot
   wininit
      services
         sppsvc

On the Processes tab of "Task Manager", "sppsvc.exe" process may be listed as:

Image Name                 Memory   Description
--------------------   ----------   -----------
sppsvc.exe               12,128 K   Microsoft Software Protection Platform Service

Additional information about "sppsvc.exe" process:

Command line:
   C:\windows\system32\sppsvc.exe

Programe file information:
   Name: sppsvc.exe
   Location: C:\windows\system32\sppsvc.exe
   Description: Microsoft Software Protection Platform Service
   Version: 6.1.7600.16385 (win7_rtm.090713-1255)
   Size: 3524608 bytes
   Last modified: 11/20/2010 10:23:56 PM
   Company Name: Microsoft Corporation
   
Some data files used:
C:\Windows\System32
C:\Windows\System32
C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\SoftwareProtectionPlatform\tokens.dat

Some registry keys used:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Nls\Sorting\Versions
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\SESSION MANAGER

Some DLL libraries used:
C:\windows\SYSTEM32\ntdll.dll
C:\windows\system32\kernel32.dll
C:\windows\system32\KERNELBASE.dll
C:\windows\system32\ADVAPI32.dll
C:\windows\system32\msvcrt.dll
C:\windows\SYSTEM32\sechost.dll
C:\windows\system32\RPCRT4.dll
C:\windows\system32\ole32.dll
C:\windows\system32\GDI32.dll
C:\windows\system32\USER32.dll

"sppsvc.exe" process is not a virus. You should not terminate "sppsvc.exe" process.

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