PnkBstrA.exe is a component of Punkbuster software. It has been developed by a company named Even Balance. It is basically used by Punkbuster client to identify if someone is cheating in multiplayer online games. PnkBstrA is the short form of Punkbuster component Service Component A. This program has been specially made with a purpose to keep a check on cheating among players in online games involving multiple players. It is an executable file which involves background processes and updates. It is not a core windows file.
The main function of PunkBuster is to find whether there is any cheat-code being used while playing a particular video game like Medal of Honor Airborne, NFS, Americas Army Game, Enemy Territory, etc. It basically prevents any type of cheating while playing video-game online.
PnkBstrA full form is PunkBuster Service Component A
Quick Overivew
File Size and Location
The ideal location of the file PnkBstrA.exe is subfolder C:\Windows\System32. There are various variants of the file having different sizes. Some of the files are known to have a size of 0.063 MB, 0.066 MB, 0.075 MB, 0.076 MB, 0.081 MB, and 0.09 MB.
Facts about PnkBstrA.exe
- It’s an executable file manufactured by Even Balance Inc.
- It is not an essential file of Windows OS.
- It is digitally verified and signed by Verisign.
- It’s active while playing multi-player games online.
Is PnkBstrA.exe a virus?
If you are worried about PnkrBstrA harming your system, then let me clarify that PnkBstrA.exe is a genuine file created by a trustworthy company. It’s only used by PunkBuster client for the games dependent on it. However, some malware manufacturers create viruses and malware with very identical names and spellings as that of an executable file in order to fool the users. So, one must be careful while downloading and installing such executable files.
If you are not playing online games and still found PnkBstrA.exe on your system, then it could be a malware or a virus.
You can just do some important fact checks to determine if PnkBstr is safe or not-
- File path: Check where the installed file is located. The path must be invariably C:\Windows\System32\PnkBstrA.exe. Anything other than this path is indicative of danger.
- File Size: If the size of the installed file is not the same or close to the mentioned sizes above, the file may be just an imitation of the genuine one.
- Spelling: Spell the name of the program to be sure it is the same as mentioned. Any smallest difference implies that it could be a virus or malware.
- Security Task Manager: Use the security task manager to scan and identify the risks.
Common Errors
- This program may continue to run even after closing the game.
- It may fail to start.
- It terminates abnormally at times.
- “The file can’t be found” error message can appear.
- Faulty application path
How to fix it?
In order to avoid problems with PnBstrA.exe, you should follow the following steps:
- Scan your system for malware from time to time.
- Use a clean manager to clear your hard disk.
- If not playing games online, then you may remove Punkbuster which will automatically remove PnBstrA.exe
- Enable automatic Windows updates
- You can restore your system by using the command DISM.exe/Online/Cleanup-image/Restorehealth (For Windows 8)
- Using the Security Task Manager, you can identify the spyware or threats to your system and remove them as needed.
How to remove the file?
In case, you have tried to fix PnkBstrA and are still facing problems or if you don’t need the program any longer, you can always choose to uninstall it. You are just a few steps away-
- Type “Control Panel” in the Windows logo and Click on it
- Go to “Programs”
- Select “Uninstall a program” on windows 7/8/10.
- Then search for the program “Medal of Honor Airborne”.
- Richt clicks on it.
- On Windows 7/8/10, click “Uninstall”.
- Hence, the program Medal of Honor Airborne or similar online game (PnkBstrA) will be removed.
It’s confirmed that PnkBstrA.exe is not a virus and used to prevent cheating while playing online games.
Similar Processes
