McAfee, Inc. McAfee Total Protection EXE PEFService.exe

PEFService.exe - Download and Fix EXE Errors

Last Updated: 11/25/2023
[Average Read Time: 4.5 minutes]

EXE files such as PEFService.exe are categorized as Win64 EXE (Dynamic link library) files. As a McAfee PEF Service file, it was created for use in McAfee PEF by McAfee, Inc..

PEFService.exe was first released in the Windows 10 Operating System on 08/29/2019 with McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20). This is the most recent release date from McAfee, Inc., according to our records.

Continue reading below to discover detailed file information, EXE file troubleshooting, and free downloads of several versions of PEFService.exe.

File Analysis Provided by Jason Geater (Author)

File Overview

General Information ^✻
File Name:	PEFService.exe
File Extension:	EXE file extension
Description:	McAfee PEF Service
Object File Type:	Dynamic link library
File Operating System:	Win32
MIME Type:	application/octet-stream
User Popularity Rating:

Developer and Software Information
Software Developer:	McAfee, Inc.
Software Program:	McAfee PEF
Legal Copyright:	Copyright © 2017 McAfee, Inc.

File Details
Character Set:	Unicode
Language Code:	English (U.S.)
File Flags:	(none)
File Flags Mask:	0x0017
Entry Point:	0x7ae70
Code Size:	863744

View Other PEFService.exe Information

File Info	Description
File Size:	1330 kB
File Modification Date/Time:	2020:01:13 14:07:36+00:00
File Type:	Win64 EXE
MIME Type:	application/octet-stream
Machine Type:	AMD AMD64
Time Stamp:	2019:06:13 14:46:57+00:00
PE Type:	PE32+
Linker Version:	14.0
Code Size:	863744
Initialized Data Size:	487936
Uninitialized Data Size:	0
Entry Point:	0x7ae70
OS Version:	6.0
Image Version:	0.0
Subsystem Version:	6.0
Subsystem:	Windows command line
File Version Number:	3.0.135.0
Product Version Number:	3.0.0.0
File Flags Mask:	0x0017
File Flags:	(none)
File OS:	Win32
Object File Type:	Dynamic link library
File Subtype:	0
Language Code:	English (U.S.)
Character Set:	Unicode
Company Name:	McAfee, Inc.
File Description:	McAfee PEF Service
File Version:	3,0,135,0
Internal Name:	PEF
Legal Copyright:	Copyright © 2017 McAfee, Inc.
Product Name:	McAfee PEF
Product Version:	3,0,0,0

^✻ Portions of file data provided by Exiftool (Phil Harvey) distributed under the Perl Artistic License.

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What are PEFService.exe Error Messages?

PEFService.exe Runtime Errors

Runtime errors are McAfee Total Protection errors that occur during "runtime". Runtime is pretty self-explanatory; it means that these EXE errors are triggered when PEFService.exe is attempted to be loaded either when McAfee Total Protection is starting up, or in some cases already running. Runtime errors are the most common form of EXE error you will encounter using McAfee Total Protection.

In most cases, PEFService.exe runtime errors occurring while the program is running will result in the program terminating abnormally. Most of these PEFService.exe error messages mean that McAfee Total Protection was either unable to locate this file on startup, or the file is corrupt, resulting in a prematurely-aborted startup process. Generally, McAfee Total Protection will be unable to start without resolving these errors.

Some of the most common PEFService.exe errors include:

PEFService.exe - Bad Image.
PEFService.exe Application Error.
PEFService.exe could not be found.
PEFService.exe could not be installed.
PEFService.exe could not be launched. Class not registered.
PEFService.exe could not be started.
PEFService.exe failed to initialize properly.
PEFService.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
PEFService.exe is not a valid Win32 application.
PEFService.exe is not running.
Cannot find PEFService.exe.
Error starting program: PEFService.exe.
Faulting Application Path: PEFService.exe.
The file PEFService.exe is missing or corrupt.
Windows failed to start - PEFService.exe.

System Error

The program can’t start because PEFService.exe is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.

Thus, it's critical to make sure your anti-virus is kept up-to-date and scanning regularly.

Finding the source of the PEFService.exe error is key to properly resolving these errors. Although most of these EXE errors affecting PEFService.exe will happen during startup, occasionally you will encounter a runtime error while using McAfee PEF. This can occur due to poor programming on behalf of McAfee, Inc., conflicts with other software or 3rd-party plug-ins, or caused by damaged and outdated hardware. Also, these types of PEFService.exe errors can occur if it has been accidentally moved, deleted, or corrupted by a malware infection. Thus, it's critical to make sure your anti-virus is kept up-to-date and scanning regularly.

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How to Fix PEFService.exe Errors in 3 Steps (Time to complete: ~5-15 minutes)

If you're encountering one of the error messages above, follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve your PEFService.exe issue. These troubleshooting steps are listed in the recommended order of execution.

Step 1: Restore your PC back to the latest restore point, "snapshot", or backup image before error occurred.

To begin System Restore (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

Hit the Windows Start button
When you see the search box, type "System Restore" and press "ENTER".
In the search results, find and click System Restore.
Please enter the administrator password (if applicable / prompted).
Follow the steps in the System Restore Wizard to choose a relevant restore point.
Restore your computer to that backup image.

If the Step 1 fails to resolve the PEFService.exe error, please proceed to the Step 2 below.

Step 2: If recently installed McAfee Total Protection (or related software), uninstall then try reinstalling McAfee Total Protection software.

You can uninstall McAfee Total Protection software by following these instructions (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

Hit the Windows Start button
In the search box, type "Uninstall" and press "ENTER".
In the search results, find and click "Add or Remove Programs"
Find the entry for McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20) and click "Uninstall"
Follow the prompts for uninstallation.

After the software has been fully uninstalled, restart your PC and reinstall McAfee Total Protection software.

If this Step 2 fails as well, please proceed to the Step 3 below.

McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20)

McAfee, Inc.

Step 3: Perform a Windows Update.

When the first two steps haven't solved your issue, it might be a good idea to run Windows Update. Many PEFService.exe error messages that are encountered can be contributed to an outdated Windows Operating System. To run Windows Update, please follow these easy steps:

Hit the Windows Start button
In the search box, type "Update" and press "ENTER".
In the Windows Update dialog box, click "Check for Updates" (or similar button depending on your Windows version)
If updates are available for download, click "Install Updates".
After the update is completed, restart your PC.

If Windows Update failed to resolve the PEFService.exe error message, please proceed to next step. Please note that this final step is recommended for advanced PC users only.

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If Those Steps Fail: Download and Replace Your PEFService.exe File (Caution: Advanced)

If none of the previous three troubleshooting steps have resolved your issue, you can try a more aggressive approach (Note: Not recommended for amateur PC users) by downloading and replacing your appropriate PEFService.exe file version. We maintain a comprehensive database of 100% malware-free PEFService.exe files for every applicable version of McAfee Total Protection. Please follow the steps below to download and properly replace you file:

Locate your Windows operating system version in the list of below "Download PEFService.exe Files".
Click the appropriate "Download Now" button and download your Windows file version.
Copy this file to the appropriate McAfee Total Protection folder location:

Windows 10: C:\Program Files\Common Files\McAfee\PEF\CORE\
Restart your computer.

If this final step has failed and you're still encountering the error, you're only remaining option is to do a clean installation of Windows 10.

GEEK TIP : We must emphasize that reinstalling Windows will be a very time-consuming and advanced task to resolve PEFService.exe problems. To avoid data loss, you must be sure that you have backed-up all of your important documents, pictures, software installers, and other personal data before beginning the process. If you are not currently backing up your data, you need to do so immediately.

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Download PEFService.exe Files (Malware-Tested 100% Clean)

CAUTION : We strongly advise against downloading and copying PEFService.exe to your appropriate Windows system directory. McAfee, Inc. typically does not release McAfee Total Protection EXE files for download because they are bundled together inside of a software installer. The installer's task is to ensure that all correct verifications have been made before installing and placing PEFService.exe and all other EXE files for McAfee Total Protection. An incorrectly installed EXE file may create system instability and could cause your program or operating system to stop functioning altogether. Proceed with caution.

McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20)

McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20)

File Name

Software Version

File Version

Architecture

PEFService.exe

3.0.0.0

3,0,135,0

64-bit (x64)

Expand for Detailed File Information +

OS Version:	Windows 10
Software:	McAfee PEF
Software Version:	3.0.0.0
File Version:	3,0,135,0
File Size:	1361888
File Date:	01/13/2020
MD5 Checksum:	6d1aa90cfa36c57e29d2db32b2367cef
SHA1 Checksum:	2c0160e6b8b0b6b6a15692be12f98a1cba761ef0
SHA256 Checksum:	3d946d4c3a5e34dbb27252287e29fe677df8db5552547e31c73da5a3c3c25cca
CRC32:
File Directory Location:	C:\Program Files\Common Files\McAfee\PEF\CORE\

File Version, System, and Machine Information
File Type:	Win64 EXE
Image Version:	0.0
Initialized Data Size:	487936
Linker Version:	14.0
Machine Type:	AMD AMD64
PE Type:	PE32+
Subsystem:	Windows command line
Subsystem Version:	6.0
File Modification Date/Time:	01/13/2020

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Files Related to PEFService.exe

EXE Files Related to PEFService.exe

File Name	Description	Software Program (Version)	File Size (bytes)	File Location
McCSPServiceHost.exe	McAfee CSP Service Host	McAfee Cloud Services Platform (3,1,286,0)	2226608	C:\Windows\System32\sru\
mfecanary.exe	McAfee Canary Process	SYSCORE (19.5.0.162)	105424	C:\Windows\System32\sru\
McAMTaskAgent.exe	McAfee Automatic Maintenance Task Agent	McAfee Module Core (2,10,0,0)	1028256	C:\Windows\System32\sru\
browserhost.exe	McAfee WebAdvisor	McAfee WebAdvisor (4,1,0,0)	2840568	C:\Windows\System32\LogFiles\WMI\
mcuihost.exe	McAfee UI Host	McAfee SecurityCenter (17,10,0,0)	1587136	C:\Windows\System32\LogFiles\WMI\

Other Files Related to PEFService.exe

File Name	Description	Software Program (Version)	File Size (bytes)	File Location
WmiApRpl.h	C/C++/Objective-C Header	McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20)	3444	C:\Windows\System32\wbem\Performance\
diagwrn.xml	Extensible Markup Language	McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20)	44683	C:\Windows\Panther\UnattendGC\
diagerr.xml	Extensible Markup Language	McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20)	5718	C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\Panther\
EtwRTDiagLog.etl	Microsoft Event Trace Log	McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20)	3168	C:\Windows\System32\LogFiles\WMI\RtBackup\
ShutdownPerformanceDia...	Binary Disk Image	McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20)	9694	C:\Windows\System32\wdi\

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