ETDCtrl.exe is the executable for its main program, ELAN Smart pad, produced by ELAN Microelectronics Corporation, Taiwan. It is basically a touchpad found in Asus laptop. Instead of using a mouse, the ETDCtrl provides functionality for scrolling and zooming. If you are using the touchpad on your laptop, then it is not recommended to disable it.
It’s full form is Elan Trackpad Device Control Center.
What is it and its Uses?
ETDCtrl.exe is used for configuration ELAN Touchpad i.e. it provides various options for changing its settings.
This smart pad is available if you have a laptop like Lenovo ThinkPads, Samsung, etc. The driver in the laptop will facilitate multi-touch and gesture control functions like:
- Scrolling
- The two and three-finger gestures
- Zooming in and out
- Tapping
- Rotating pictures
- Windows switching and many more.
Some of its other uses are:
- It manages many keyboard shortcuts on laptops from MSI ( Micro-Star International ). Some shortcuts include screen changing and brightness amongst others.
- It is also a key and mouse logger since it saves inputs from both the keyboard and the mouse.
ETDCtrl.exe loads when Windows boots but is not its core application.
The trackpad that runs using the ELAN software, can run even in the absence of this software. However, the scrolling and tracking speed does become difficult. But, it can be deleted without compromising on the essential system functions.
Sometimes it is noticed that the CPU usage of ETDCtrl.exe is high. But it usually happens for a fraction of seconds.
File size and location
The location pathway of etdctrl.exe is C:\Program Files\elantech\
Its average file size is approximately 2.53 MB on most of the Windows operating system versions.
Check similar executable files like Diaw.exe, atiesrxx.exe, and RtWLan.exe.
Is it Safe or a Virus?
ETDCtrl.exe is a legitimate, safe program. However, a malicious program may assume its alias to go undetected by the anti-malware or firewalls of the system.
There are two ways to check this:
- If file Properties of the program like its file size, location or publisher do not match the specifications of the legitimate etdctrl.exe process, then it could be a virus.
- If Microsoft Process Explorer is unable to verify the signer then the process is most likely to be a virus.
Errors
Some common errors corresponding to etdctrl.exe are:
- exe is not a valid Win32 application
- exe has encountered a problem and needs to close.
How to Remove It?
If you want to delete etdctrl.exe even if it is a legitimate file, then use the uninstaller to uninstall ELAN Pointing Driver from your system. This can be done in two ways:
- By going to the uninstaller’s location path C:\Program Files\Elantech\ETDUn_inst.exe.
- By searching for ELAN Pointing Driver program in Control Panel and uninstalling it.
You may also use 3rd party uninstaller software to remove it from the system.
