HxTsr.exe is usually Microsoft Outlook Communications, a background process used by Microsoft Mail, Calendar, Outlook, and related Windows communications apps to sync mail and calendar data. It is normally safe when it runs from a Microsoft app package folder and has a Microsoft signature, but a file with the same name in Downloads, Temp, Startup, or another user-writable folder should be treated as suspicious.
Check it in this order: open the file location from Task Manager, verify the Microsoft signature in file properties, look for unusual CPU or network activity, then repair Mail/Outlook if the genuine process is misbehaving. Scan the file only when the path, signature, or behavior does not match the legitimate Microsoft app.
What is HxTsr.exe?
HxTsr.exe belongs to the Microsoft communications app family rather than to the Windows kernel itself. On modern Windows systems, the genuine executable is commonly tied to the protected Microsoft app package for Mail, Calendar, Outlook, or Windows Communications Apps, while related user data may appear under C:\Users\<name>\AppData\Local\Packages\microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_*.
The process may appear briefly in Task Manager, trigger firewall prompts, or make HTTPS connections while mail and calendar data sync. That behavior is not automatically malicious. The warning signs are a copy outside the Microsoft app package, a missing or mismatched digital signature, high CPU usage that does not stop, unknown outbound connections, or alerts that return after the app is repaired.
Why does HxTsr.exe connect to the Internet?
HxTsr.exe may connect out when Outlook, Mail, Calendar, or a related communications app checks mail, calendar data, or account status. A firewall prompt is less concerning when the file opens from a Microsoft WindowsApps package path and the digital signature belongs to Microsoft. It becomes suspicious when the same filename connects from Downloads, Temp, a browser cache, Startup, or another random user-writable folder.
Before you permanently allow or block the request, open the file location and check the signature. If the process is genuine but keeps causing alerts, repair the app or Outlook profile. If it is a lookalike, block the connection and scan the file.
Should I disable or remove HxTsr.exe?
Do not delete HxTsr.exe by hand. If the file belongs to the Microsoft communications app package, removing it can break mail or calendar sync and may be restored by the next app update anyway. On current Windows systems, the older Mail and Calendar apps have been retired, so the safer first step is to update Windows and Microsoft Store apps, move unsupported Mail/Calendar accounts to the new Outlook for Windows, or repair the related app instead of deleting the executable.
- If Mail or Calendar no longer syncs, move the account to the new Outlook for Windows or Outlook.com.
- If the genuine HxTsr.exe process is noisy but the path and signature are Microsoft, repair or reset the app, then repair Office/Outlook if the problem continues.
- If the file is outside the WindowsApps package path or lacks a Microsoft signature, treat it as a suspicious copy and scan it before allowing network access.
Is HxTsr.exe a virus?
Although the genuine HxTsr.exe process is not a virus, malware can use the same filename to look trustworthy. Treat the file as suspicious if Task Manager opens it from a temporary folder, Downloads, a browser cache, a random startup folder, or any path unrelated to Microsoft communications apps. A genuine but broken Mail/Outlook component should usually be repaired or reset, not deleted by hand.
Typical malware effects that can mimic the HxTsr.exe process can be as follows:
- Computer slowdown
- Appearance of unwanted advertisements
- Theft of personal information
- Infection of other computers
- Breach of security or privacy
To recognize and remove malware masquerading as the HxTsr.exe process, you can perform the following steps:
Step 1: Open Task Manager
To open Task Manager, press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Esc or right-click on an empty spot on the taskbar and select “Task Manager”.
Step 2: View the list of processes
In Task Manager, choose the Processes tab and view a list of all running processes. Find the process named HxTsr.exe.
Step 3: Open the location of the process file
To open the file location of a process, right-click on the process in Task Manager and choose “Open File Location”. This will open the folder where the process executable is located.
A legitimate copy should point to a Microsoft communications app package, usually under a protected Windows app package path or the matching Microsoft communications app package data folder. A copy in a random user-writable folder is not enough to trust.
Normal resource use is brief and low. Sustained high CPU, repeated crashes, unexpected firewall prompts, or unknown network destinations are reasons to repair the app and scan the file.
If you find any inconsistencies, do not rush to delete the file, as it may lead to undesirable consequences. First, check it for viruses.
Perform a full system scan with a quality antivirus software like Gridinsoft Anti-Malware and remove all detected threats. You can also check the HxTsr.exe process file for viruses using an online service such as Gridinsoft’s Online Virus Scanner.
References
- Microsoft Support. “Your account settings are out-of-date in Mail or Calendar for Windows 10.” Microsoft, accessed June 6, 2026. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/your-account-settings-are-out-of-date-in-mail-or-calendar-for-windows-10-4484de9e-66b2-46a9-8459-6ca1fcc110b4
- Microsoft Support. “Repair an Office application.” Microsoft, accessed June 6, 2026. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/repair-an-office-application-7821d4b6-7c1d-4205-aa0e-a6b40c5bb88b
After uninstalling the suspicious app or deleting the visible threat, use Gridinsoft Anti-Malware to check hidden files, startup entries, scheduled tasks, bundled apps, browser changes, and other persistence points that can restore malware.
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