How to solve esentutl.exe error in Windows 10

In this post, we discuss esentutl.exe errors, the underlying causes, and a few working solutions. Basically, this is an executable file that performs several important functions on Windows 10. Besides, both the Active directory, as well as Microsoft Exchange Server, support the essential.exe file. To access its file location, head over to the path – C:\Windows\System32\esentutl.exe.

The essential.exe error first appeared on Windows 7 OS and as its name suggests, this is quite responsible for several essential functionalities. However, if you ever encounter this popping up while working on Windows 10, it confirms your device is at risk. Let’s explore the solutions –

Ways to Fix esentutl.exe Error in Windows 10

There are numerous esentutl.exe-related errors that you may encounter on Windows 10. We have included a list of matching issues, see whether you are experiencing any one of these.

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

In case you are facing any one of the above messages, try the below workarounds –

1. Download/Install Latest Cumulative Update

Microsoft always brings in security patches for different versions of Windows 10 on 2nd Tuesday of every month. The company works on users’ reports that it receives through Feedback Hub and tries to address the underlying bugs. Regular upgrade maintains the operating system in good health fixing issues that arise from time to time. You may find all the Tuesday patches here – Windows 10 Cumulative Updates catalog. 

Or, you may download/install the latest patch by visiting the Windows Update section. Here’s how to proceed –

• Press WinKey + I to invoke the Settings UI.
• Select Update & Security thereafter Windows Update on the next page.
• Head over to the right pane and hit Check for Updates.

• The system usually takes a few minutes to search for the available patches. 
• If there appears any update, hit the Download button. 
• After the downloading and installing processes finish, a prompt will appear asking to “reboot your PC”.
• Hit the “Restart button” so as to incorporate the above changes. 

Note: If you have recently upgraded the OS and the error starts to appear, there might be a buggy installation. We recommend uninstalling the latest patch following the below steps –

• First, browse the following location –

Settings (Win+I) > Update & Security > Windows Update

• Jump to the right pane and hit “View update history“. Subsequently, hit “Uninstall updates“.
• The system will redirect you to the “Installed updates” inside the Control Panel.
• Select the latest cumulative update and hit Uninstall. If any confirmation window appears, tap Yes.
• That’s it, now wait while the system is removing the patch from your computer.

Once over, Reboot your PC so as to implement the recent changes.

2. Run the System File Checker Utility program

A sudden power fluctuation or malware entering (while working Online) may corrupt the system’s core files and folders. To repair these corrupt data, you must run the system file checker program. Here’s how to proceed –

• Jointly press Win + R to launch the Run dialog.
• Type “cmd” and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys together. 
• When the UAC window appears, tap Yes so that the Command Prompt starts with administrative rights.
• On the elevated window, type sfc /scannow and hit Enter to begin the scanning/repairing process.

• This takes a few minutes to complete the task, so wait accordingly.
• once this is over, Restart your computer to implement the changes.

3. Scan for Malware using Windows security

Sometimes, it’s just the virus that somehow enters the system and starts causing issues and errors. They can duplicate themselves and resemble system files like – winlogon.exe. Their sole purpose is not only to breach data but also to damage the core Windows components. To mitigate the esentutl.exe error, you must perform a full scan of the entire PC using Windows Security. Here’s how to proceed –

• Go to the notification panel and hit the Shield icon.
• This system will then take you to the Windows Security homepage. 
• Hit “Virus and Threat Protection” on the left column and jump to the right pane.
• Click Scan options, mark the “Full Scan” radio button, and hit the “Scan now” option.

• The Defender will soon start detecting any errors that lie on your computer.
• If this finds out any bugs or issues, click “Clean Threats“.
• Next, hit Remove and start taking the relevant actions.

4. Remove unnecessary applications

As time passes, there pile up unnecessary programs that we rarely use on our PC. The presence of such not-so-useful applications increases CPU consumption and memory as well. If there occurs any error on any one of these apps, you may start receiving the esentutl.exe error. 

Removing unused/unnecessary programs not only frees up a good amount of storage and memory but it also makes the system respond faster. To remove such applications, use the below steps –

• Press Win+R to launch the Run dialog.
• Type “appwiz.cpl” in the text field, and hit Enter.
• On the “Programs and Features” window, select the application that you no longer use, and hit Uninstall.
• If any confirmation window appears asking permission, tap Yes.
• Make sure to Reboot your PC to delete any leftover files as well. 

5. Use System Restore Points

If none of the fixes above solve the esentutl.exe Error in Windows 10, try restoring your PC to an earlier state when this was functioning normally. In case you haven’t created any System Restore points in the past, just skip this fix. Instead, perform a clean installation of Windows 10 2004, May 2020 Update.

Here are the essential steps to accomplish this task –

• Jointly press “Win+Q” to start the Search bar and type “restore“.
• Click the top result i.e. “Create a restore point“.

• On the “System Properties” window, jump to “System Protection” and click on “System restore”.

• Hit Next thereafter “Show more restore points” to view the list of backups as per the date of creation.
• Select the recent one and click the Next button again. 
• Hit Finish to begin the restoring process. 
• This usually takes 4-5 minutes to restore your PC to an earlier state, so wait accordingly.

Once over, Restart your PC to implement the recent changes and delete any leftover files that are still lying around.

That’s it, I hope this article helps to fix the esentutl.exe error on Windows 10 devices. If you have any queries or suggestions, let us know in the comment section.