ThinkVantage Communications Utility
What is ThinkVantage Communications Utility?
ThinkVantage Communications Utility is a assistant program for video and voice over the internet (Video and Voice over IP) software. It enables you to change all settings for the integrated camera, MIC and audio functions.
About (from Lenovo)
Communications Utility enables you to change all settings for the integrated camera, microphone, and audio functions at one place to optimize the Video and Voice over the Internet (VOIP) experience.
Overview
The most common release is 2.11.0.0, with over 98% of all installations currently using this version. During setup, the program creates a startup registration point in Windows in order to automatically start when any user boots the PC. Upon being installed, the software adds a Windows Service which is designed to run continuously in the background. Manually stopping the service has been seen to cause the program to stop functing properly. It adds a background controller service that is set to automatically run. Delaying the start of this service is possible through the service manager. The software is designed to connect to the Internet and adds a Windows Firewall exception in order to do so without being interfered with. The primary executable is named TrayCtrlNotify.exe. The setup package generally installs about 37 files and is usually about 12.52 MB (13,129,884 bytes).
This program is pre-installed on Lenovo PCs
Pre-installed software such as this is usually included by default on the manufacturer's PC. Many OEM (original equipment manufacture) software that is included with a new PC is useful and in many cases required for the PC to function properly as in the case of various software drivers. However, some pre-installed software is optional and can be safely removed.
Some users and experts alike have reported that this program is considered bloatware or bundleware. Such software is optional and can be safely removed if you do not utilize the features of the progam.
Lenovo computers come pre-installed with software that you may not need. This often includes trial versions of anti-virus software, various security software such as facial-recognition, pc optimizations programs, backup apps, dvd burners and media players.
- It is usually licensed for use only on the Lenovo PC on which it was pre-installed.
- It sometimes difficult for users to remove via the 'Uninstall a Program' feature in Windows.
Program details
URL: support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/detail.page?DocID=DS015009
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Communications Utility\
Uninstaller: "C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Communications Utility\unins000.exe"
Estimated size: 12.52 MB
Files installed by ThinkVantage Communications Utility
| Program executable: | TrayCtrlNotify.exe |
| Name: | ThinkVantage Communications Utility |
| Communications Utility Notifier |
| Path: | C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Communications Utility\TrayCtrlNotify.exe |
| MD5: | 2eaf646c10c780ef1bf3e7569a1f0df3 |
Additional files:
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AudioDll.dll - ThinkVantage Communications Utility (Audio Control Library)
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CamDll.dll - Camera Control Library
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CamMute.exe - Camera Mute Control Service for ThinkPad
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CamTile.dll - Communications Utility for SimpleTap
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CommCRes.dll - Resource file for ThinkPad
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CommLibs.dll - Communications Utility DLL
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CommMain.exe - Communications Utility Main UI
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CommOSD.exe - Communications Utility Hotkey OSD
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SnapShot.exe - Communications Utility Snap Shot Function
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TPFNF6.exe - ThinkPad FnF6 OSD
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TPKNRDLL.dll - Keyboard detection library
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TpKnrres.exe - Microphone volume control module
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TPKNRSVC.exe - Microphone volume control service
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unins000.exe - Setup/Uninstall
Behaviors exhibited
Scheduled Task (Boot/Login)
- TpKnrres.exe is automatically launched at startup through a scheduled task named 3.
2 Services
- CamMute.exe runs as a service named 'LENOVO.CAMMUTE' (LENOVO.CAMMUTE).
- TPKNRSVC.exe runs as a service named 'Lenovo Keyboard Noise Reduction' (LENOVO.TPKNRSVC).
Startup File (All Users Run)
- TpKnrres.exe is loaded in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name 'LENOVO.TPKNRRES' which loads as C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Communications Utility\TPKNRRES.exe.
Windows Firewall Allowed Program
- CommMain.exe is added as a firewall exception for 'C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Communications Utility\CommMain.exe'.
Resource utilization averages
Show technical details
| CamMute.exe |
| Memory: | 1.35 MB | |
| Total CPU: | 0.0011778825% | |
| Kernel CPU: | 0.00105077% | |
| User CPU: | 0.00012711% | |
| TpKnrres.exe |
| Memory: | 1.02 MB | |
| User CPU: | 0.00026196% | |
| CPU cycles/sec: | 338,361 | |
| TPKNRSVC.exe |
| Memory: | 1.13 MB | |
| CPU cycles/sec: | 4,375 | |
How do I remove ThinkVantage Communications Utility?
You can uninstall ThinkVantage Communications Utility from your computer by using the Add/Remove Program feature in the Window's Control Panel.
- On the Start menu (for Windows 8, right-click the screen's bottom-left corner), click Control Panel, and then, under Programs, do one of the following:
- Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall a Program.
- Windows XP: Click Add or Remove Programs.
- When you find the program ThinkVantage Communications Utility, click it, and then do one of the following:
- Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall.
- Windows XP: Click the Remove or Change/Remove tab (to the right of the program).
- Follow the prompts. A progress bar shows you how long it will take to remove ThinkVantage Communications Utility.
PC BRAND OF CHOICE
100%
Lenovo
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HOW IT STARTS
Automatically starts? Yes
(Found in the run registry)
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USER ACTIONS
 |
Uninstall it 4%
Keep it 96%
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Windows
Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
| Windows 7 |
90.05% |
|
| Windows 10 |
8.74% |
|
| Windows XP |
0.88% |
|
| Windows Vista |
0.34% |
|
Which OS releases does it run on? |
| Windows 7 Professional |
66.27% |
|
| Windows 7 Home Premium |
13.26% |
|
| Windows 10 Pro |
6.96% |
|
| Windows 7 Enterprise |
5.17% |
|
| Windows 7 Ultimate |
4.80% |
|
| Windows 10 Home |
1.04% |
|
Geography
54.55% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
| United States |
54.55% |
| Germany |
5.56% |
| Canada |
4.20% |
| United Kingdom |
3.55% |
| France |
2.41% |
| Australia |
1.56% |
| DK |
1.47% |
| Israel |
1.44% |
| Japan |
1.37% |
| Taiwan |
1.35% |
| Norway |
1.25% |
| Italy |
1.23% |
| India |
1.16% |
| Sweden |
1.04% |
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a PC hardware and electronics company whose products include personal computers, tablet computers, mobile phones, workstations, servers, electronic storage devices and IT management software.
Publisher URL: www.lenovo.com