KMPlayer has been one of the most popular media players for many years now.
However, some people may still wonder about its safety when they notice some suspicious behavior from the program’s end.
That might turn out to be a valid concern, especially if you’ve downloaded the app from an untrusted source.
This article will help you find out everything you need to know about KMP’s safety, how to download it, and how to remove it from your device.
Is KMPlayer Safe?
The official KMPlayer program is safe, meaning it’s virus and malware-free.
Multiple websites have checked the app with various anti-virus applications and reported that none of them found any threats.
For instance, DownloadAstro.com has checked KMPlayer with 50 popular anti-virus software tools, and all of them found it to be virus-free.
They’ve published the scan results per anti-virus on their website, as well.
Lo4d.com has also performed the test with 23 different anti-virus applications on the latest version of KMPlayer and reported that it was free of viruses, malware, spyware, trojans, and worms.
These assumptions and tests are about on the original KMPlayer app downloaded from their official website or other trusted sources.
If you haven’t downloaded the app from a random website and you suspect it’s safe, you need to check certain signs and telltales that assure you the application is secure.
1. File Location
Malware and viruses get transmitted through .exe files, and since KMPlayer runs from kmplayer.exe, you need to check the file’s location.
To determine if a particular file is a legitimate Windows process, you need to find out the location of the executable.
In this case, the KMPlayer program should run from this path and not elsewhere: C:\Program Files\the kmplayer\kmplayer.exe.
Here’s how you can find the file’s location:
- Right-click on KMPlayer’s icon if you have its shortcut on the desktop. If not, look for it in the Start Menu.
- Once you right-click on the icon, a small menu will appear. Choose Properties and wait for the window to open up.
- Head to the Shortcut tab from the top menu bar and then look for Target, where the program’s full path is displayed.
- If you couldn’t find the location using the mentioned method, try this one:
- Right-click on the Windows icon and choose Task Manager from the menu.
- Locate KMPlayer in the list, right-click on it, and select Open File Location.
Windows will take you to where the .exe file is located, and you can check out its location.
If the file path didn’t match with the correct one, you might be facing viruses.
2. Verified Signer
Most official and trustworthy files have known publishers, and they’re signed digitally by major companies.
The official KMPlayer app is signed by KMP Media co.
So, check the signature to make sure the app is safe:
- Right-click on KMPlayer’s icon and choose Properties from the menu.
- Head to the Digital Signatures tab and look under the Signature list.
If there’s no Digital Signature tab or no signatures in the list, the app could be harmful.
Here’s another method to determine if the signer is legit:
- Open Task Manager and click on the columns field.
- Add Verified Signer as one of the columns.
- Check out the Verified Signer value for the KMPlayer app.
- If you see the Unable to Verify message, the .exe file may be a threat.
3. Other Signs
As mentioned, the size of the KMPlayer program pack is under 80MB.
Depending on the version, it may differ a bit, but it shouldn’t go up more than that.
Compare the size of the program installed on your computer, and if it’s too big, it may be a sign of a virus.
Also, when .exe files get infected with viruses, they tend to use the CPU or GPU resources too much.
Open up Task Manager and check how much CPU and GPU are dedicated to running KMPlayer.
If the number is abnormally high, the program is infected.
What Is KMPlayer?
K-Multimedia Player, commonly known as KMPlayer or KMP, is developed by Pandora TV software developers.
The reason behind this program’s popularity lies behind its various features, including the support of a large number of file formats:
- VCD
- DVD
- AVI
- MKV
- Ogg
- OGM
- 3GP
- MPEG-1/2/4
- WMA 7/8
- RealMedia
- FLV
- AAC
- RTS
- QuickTime
Not only can the player handle a large number of audio, video, and subtitle formats, it lets you capture audio, video, and screenshots.
It also lets you play incomplete or damaged AVI files, compressed audio albums in .zip or .rar formats, and locked media files while downloading or sharing.
The program is usually under 80 MB, and its primary executable is named KMPlayer.exe.
The primary package installs about 60 other files, too.
Their official website is www.KMPlayer.com, and they support all the major languages in the world.
How To Download KMPlayer Safely?
The best way to download KMPlayer is from their official website.
You can download it easily and for free for your Android and iOS devices and Windows-based computers.
The only thing the KMPlayer team asks of you is to buy them a cup of coffee if you’re satisfied with the app.
There’s no need to go to a download site for installing KMP.
Some websites may be decent, but some may contain viruses, malware, trojans, and other harmful files that can cause problems for your device.
It’s just not worth the risk!
How To Remove KMPlayer?
If you want to uninstall KMPlayer or have suspected that the KMPlayer files may contain a virus, you need to choose the suitable method to remove all its files and prevent an incomplete uninstallation.
Throughout the process, you may face one or more of the following errors and issues:
- The KMPlayer is not listed in Programs and Features.
- You do not have sufficient access for uninstalling The KMPlayer.
- Another process that is using the file is stopping the KMPlayer uninstallation process.
- Windows couldn’t run the file required for this uninstallation to complete.
- Not all of the files were successfully uninstalled.
- Files and folders of KMPlayer can be found in the disk after the uninstallation.
Go through the following methods in order.
If one led to an error even though you performed the steps correctly, move on to the following method.
1. Uninstall KMPlayer Through Programs And Features
This method is the safest way for uninstalling any program because it lets Windows do most of its work.
- Type “Control Panel” in the Windows search bar and open the app.
- Click on Programs from the menu, and if your computer runs Windows Vista/7/8/10, click on Uninstall a Program. If you run Windows XP, click on Add or Remove Programs.
- Locate KMPlayer in the list of installed apps and click on it.
- Hit the Uninstall button in Windows Vista/7/8/10, or click on the Remove or Change/Remove button located at the right side of the app.
- Follow along the instructions to remove KMPlayer.
Please don’t interrupt the process until it’s entirely over.
2. Uninstall KMPlayer Using Its Uninstaller
Many computer programs have an executable file named uninstall.exe or something similar, and KMPlayer isn’t an exception.
You can use this file to uninstall the program.
You need to head to the installation folder with the following path: C:\Program Files\The KMPlayer\uninstall.exe.
Then click on the uninstall.exe file and follow the wizard’s instructions to remove the program.
3. Uninstall KMPlayer Using The Uninstall Command
Like any other program, Windows has saved KMPlayer’s settings and information in the registry, including the uninstall command.
You need to edit the registry carefully to remove the app from the system:
- Type “Registry Editor” in the Windows search bar and open up the app.
- Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Uninstall.
- Once you get there, click on the UninstallString value and copy its Value Data.
- Hold down the Windows key and then hit the R key to open up the Run command.
- Afterward, paste the Value Data in the box and hit OK.
- Follow the wizard’s instructions to uninstall KMPlayer.
4. Uninstall KMPlayer Via System Restore
Windows has a valuable utility named System Restore that lets users restore their computer to a previous state and turn everything back to how they were then.
For instance, if you haven’t installed KMPlayer when the System Restore point was created, it’ll be like KMPlayer was never there to begin with when you restore the system.
You might have created a restore point yourself, which is wise to do before installing any application or making any serious changes to your system.
If you didn’t, don’t worry because Windows creates restore points automatically every once in a while.
First, back up all your personal data and files to protect them while the system is restoring.
Then, follow along these steps to perform the process:
- Right-click on the Windows logo and choose System from the menu.
- Once the System window opens, click on the System Protection link located on the right side of the screen.
- When the System Properties window pops open, hit the System Restore button.
- Now, you can choose the Recommended Restore option or Choose a different restore point yourself.
- Hit the Next button when you’re done, and when the Confirm your restore point message appears, click on Finish.
- Hit Yes for further confirmation.
5. Reinstall KMPlayer For Removal
If you couldn’t successfully uninstall KMPlayer with any of the mentioned methods, one of the files required to uninstall the app is either corrupt or missing.
Your only option is to reinstall the program so you can later uninstall it using the previous methods.
Rerun the installer, and it may even let you repair or uninstall KMPlayer in the process.
6. Uninstall KMPlayer Via A Third-Party Application
If you didn’t succeed in completing the described processes for removing KMPlayer, or if you feel like you’re not up for the task, third-party removal applications can come to your aid.
They’ll ensure an incomplete uninstallation doesn’t happen, and leftover invalid items won’t affect your computer performance, occupy the free disk space, or slow down your PC.
Here’s a list of capable program uninstaller tools that can help you delete KMPlayer completely:
- Wise Program Uninstaller
- IObit Uninstaller Free
- Geek Uninstaller
- Advanced Uninstaller Pro
- Revo Uninstaller Free
7. Uninstall KMPlayer With An Antimalware Program
Viruses and malware can appear like typical computer applications and get into your PC with some help from Trojans, spyware, or adware.
When they get bundled with software like KMPlayer, and you install them on your system, they can get past the anti-virus programs that you have.
If you weren’t successful in removing KMPlayer like any standard program using the previously mentioned methods, it’s infected.
Regular anti-virus programs won’t help you in this situation because the malware has already entered your computer.
You need a clean-up tool, like Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
You can download the suite for free from Malwarebytes official website.
Kaspersky, Symantec, Sophos, and Emsisoft are also good programs for such occasions.
Common KMPlayer Error Messages And How To Fix Them
There are some common error messages that KMPlayer might show you from time to time.
They’re not signs for viruses and malware, so don’t worry if you receive one of them:
- KMPlayer.exe application error.
- KMPlayer.exe not found.
- Cannot find KMPlayer.exe.
- KMPlayer.exe has failed.
- Error starting program: KMPlayer.exe.
- Faulting Application Path: KMPlayer.exe.
- KMPlayer.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close
- KMPlayer.exe is not a valid application.
- KMPlayer.exe can’t run.
If you’ve ensured that the KMPlayer program installed on your computer is safe, try the following ways to solve any issues and errors that may come up with KMPlayer.
Ensure that your computer is tidy, keep your hard disk clean, and uninstall unwanted and unnecessary apps and programs that are just taking up space.
Keep your system up to date by enabling Windows updates.
Make regular backups and create Restore Points before you make any significant changes to your system.
Install reliable programs for performing regular malware scans and monitor any programs that may auto-start.
Here’s a list of the best anti-virus and anti-malware programs you can currently use:
Moreover, always analyze the running Windows tasks, including KMPlayer.exe, with programs like Security Task Manager, which will show you embedded hidden functions like browser manipulation or keyboard monitoring, CPU usage, auto-start entries, and much more.
Best KMPlayer Alternative: VLC Media Player
Next to KMPlayer, the VLC media player is one of the most authenticated players in the world.
It’s a free and open-source multimedia player, and it shares many similar features with KMPlayer.
VLC player can run almost all media file types, including DVDs, Audio CDs, and VCDs.
Moreover, it can even play incomplete, unfinished, or damaged video content with no problems.
Much like KMPlayer, it can run on all Windows versions.
You can also run the VLC player on Linux and macOS systems.
It’s a practical and energy-efficient media player, and it’s available in 48 international languages.
Between all the various available multimedia players, the VLC player can compete more closely with KMPlayer, and it’s the best choice if you don’t want to or can’t install KMPlayer on your system.
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