CliConfg.exe – SQL Server Client Network Utility Information

CliConfg.exe is a useful tool that allows adding alias using SQL Client Configuration Utility. It comes by default in Windows 10 that can be launched using the command line or shortcut keys.

File size and location

Being a system executable file, cliconfg.exe is located in C:\Windows\System32\ folder and the file size of it is 30-32 KB.  However, there could be a total of 3 copies of cliconfg.exe in Windows 10 that will be located under C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ and C:\Windows\WinSxS\ directory.

cliconfg.exe file location

Quick Overview:

File name: cliconfg.exe
File description: SQL Client Configuration Utility EXE
File type: Application
File version: 10.0.18362.1
Product name: Microsoft Windows Operating System
Copyright: Microsoft Corporation
File Size: 30 KB

Uses of CliConfg.exe

CliConfg.exe is a tool that provides an interface to add an alias on a system where the SQL Server installed.  Additionally, for users working on SQL alias, it is a help file and it does help in establishing a connection between various databases.

In short, we can say that the CliConfig.exe file allows opening the SQL Server Client Network Utility.

This is how a SQL Server Client Network Utility looks like:

SQL server client network utility

Therefore if you want to know the location of the “SQL Server Client Network Utility” then it will be always under the C:\Windows\System32\ folder.

You can also use cliconfg.exe to create an alias on SQL Server.

SQL is a tool that allows managing the Database like adding, editing, or removing data from the Database. This tool was invented in 1986.

First developed by Microsoft for Windows Vista, the latest version of cliconfg.exe is version 10.0.15063.0. It is a SQL client configuration utility file and is used to work with SQL alias and create client-optimized SQL servers.

Cliconfg.exe is not a task process, instead, it starts only when use initiates the QL server-client network utility.

How to launch cliconfg.exe using Command-Line?

There are 2 ways to launch the cliconfg.exe i.e. command line and shortcut, here are the steps:

1) Press the Windows+R key together

2) Type CMD and click on OK

3) Type cliconfg.exe and hit the Enter button

4) The SQL Server Client Network Utility will be launched

cliconfg command line

Find the best Microsoft Active Directory alternatives here.

Is CliConfg.exe harmful to your PC?

A genuine CliConfg.exe file is totally safe and should not be removed from the PC if you are planning to use the SQL server on your local PC. However, many users over the internet claimed that CliConfg using high CPU or disk space. It is a kind of program that is not very likely to be found functioning on your computer. Many times malware has been detected in this kind of file. However, if the

Common errors

cliconfg.exe can many times cause errors in the PC and displays error messages. The most common errors encountered by users across the internet are-

  • “cliconfg.exe – Bad Image.”
  • “cliconfg.exe Application Error.”
  • “cliconfg.exe could not be found.”

Can cliconfg.exe be disabled and how?

If you are using SQL Server on your Windows PC/Laptop, then cliconfg.exe should not be disabled. However, if you are not using SQL Server or MSSQL Database on your PC and still cliconfg.exe is running in the task manager, then it can be disabled.  Or,  the program is displaying error messages, it can be disabled in these simple steps-

  • Press the Ctrl+Shift+Esc button to launch the Task Manager
  • Under the Processes tab, locate cliconfg.exe
  • Right-click on it and choose Open file location
  • If it opens any other folder location other than C:\Windows\System32\ then delete the file
  • Otherwise, just right-click over the cliconfg.exe and choose End Task

Other methods to disable it include running an anti-virus scan all over the PC and if found any errors running an anti-spyware in it. These processes can help to disable cliconfg.exe on your PC.

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Ankita

Founder and Writer @ WinOSBite. Future plan is to make this platform open to community to resolve and discuss various issues, usage related to Operating System.

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