What is Update.exe from GitHub? Is it related to Discord?

Several users reported finding a strange Update.exe file on their computer system but had no idea how it got there. It was found that the file originates from GitHub, while users did not seem to be using any related files. Users in some cases experienced dozens of Command Prompt windows popping up on system startup. The name update.exe is quite common and several programs like SpywareDoctor, LogMeIn, etc. use it – but here we’re are talking about Update.exe signed by Discord and published by Github.

What is Update.exe?

The Update.exe file belongs to a messaging service app called Discord, whose programming error caused the issue. In some cases, Discord was even listed in the Windows Search after some users searched for Update. This application is commonly used for chatting with friends, streaming videos, or chatting while playing games.

As a result of this bad programming, it resulted in a Windows startup entry for both Update.exe and Discord. Possibly, this problem occurs because the installer failed to attach the Update file to the main application. When Discord starts up, it uses this updater. Therefore if Discord is open during startup, this program runs with it simultaneously so that it can be updated. In other words, if Discord currently launches at startup, then this Updater will run at the same time to keep Discord updated. There appears to have been an error on the Discord side and this is now visible instead of being linked to the Discord startup item.

Some people are wondering why GitHub is listed as the publisher of a file from Discord. Actually, Discord signs Update.exe files, which are then published by GitHub.

Where to find Update.exe on a computer?

Here are the steps you can take to find the update.exe file on your system:

1. To get it started, open the Task Manager first. You can use the Ctrl+Shift+Esc keyboard shortcut to open the Task Manager window directly.
2. Navigate to the Processes tab and right-click Update.exe. If it is not listed here, check the Startup tab.
3. Click Properties on the contextual menu.
4. You will see where the file is located.
5. Once you have located the file, copy its address and paste it into the File Explorer’s Address bar.
6. This is usually the address of the file: C:\Users\(account name)\AppData\Local\Discord.

How to disable Update.exe in Windows 11/10

There are two methods you can use to disable Update.exe at system startup:

1. Using Task Manager Startup tab
2. Through Windows Settings

Now let’s take a closer look at them

1] Using Task Manager Startup tab

To disable the Update.exe file from the Task Manager, follow the below suggestions:

1. Click on Start, type Task Manager, and press Enter.
2. Switch to the Startup tab.
3. Right-click on the Update.exe file and select Disable.
4. You’ll see that the status column now says Disabled.
5. After applying the changes, restart your system.

Hopefully, this file will not be seen again when the system is started.

2] Through Windows Settings

Alternatively, you can use the Settings app to disable Update.exe at system startup:

1. Press the Windows+I keys to open the Settings app.
2. Now, go to Apps > Startup.
3. On the right pane, toggle the switch off to disable the program which launches Update.exe.
4. Then restart your system to check if it solves the problem.

Hope this helps.

Read next: How to disable startup items in Windows using Task Manager, WMIC, GPEDIT, Task Scheduler, MSCONFIG, Settings, etc.