What is ntoskrnl.exe?

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

I uninstalled Zone Alarm as it seemed to be causing problems. (Win XP
OEM Ver 2002 SP1)

Installed Sygate Personal (Freeware) and it seems to be a little more
user friendly

However, it shows that a file app called ntoskrnl.exe is attempting to
reach the internet every few nimutes. What is this? Why is it trying
to call home? Should I let it?

Blocking it does not seem to be hurting anything at least not that I
can see.

TIA
Grumpy

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

Grumpy Old Man <Nobody@home.com> wrote:

>I uninstalled Zone Alarm as it seemed to be causing problems. (Win XP
>OEM Ver 2002 SP1)
>
>Installed Sygate Personal (Freeware) and it seems to be a little more
>user friendly
>
>However, it shows that a file app called ntoskrnl.exe is attempting to
>reach the internet every few nimutes. What is this? Why is it trying
>to call home? Should I let it?
>
>Blocking it does not seem to be hurting anything at least not that I
>can see.
>
>TIA
>Grumpy

NTOSKRNL.EXE is *the* operating system kernel for Windows XP. It is
an essential Windows component.

Here is one response I found to a similar question:

****
It's used for NetBios traffic and System DNS, with kernel32.dll being
called via ntoskrnl.exe.

Allow it entirely on trusted networks (home LAN), but do not allow
netbios traffic to/from the Internet. You will however need to allow
DNS.
****

And in another forum the following response was attributed to Sygate's
technical support:

****
NTOSKRNL.EXE is Windows NT Kernel. This is a low level communication
tool that allows Windows to function.
Disabling this may prevent Internet access and file print share. I
recommend that you allow this.
****

Hope this is of some assistance.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

 

[spotify95]

I dont know anything, but if you do delete ntoskrnl your computer will not boot. ntoskrnl is a critical file.