How to disable "igfxHK Module" process from starting up with Windows

I have a laptop with Intel GPU and their software is currently faulty in that it globally registers certain keyboard hotkeys and won't let them go. The way to kill them is to kill the igfxHK Module:

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The problem is that this "module" which is represented with the C:\Windows\system32\igfxHK.exe file is started after each reboot.

I have tried using Autoruns to disable it but when I do a search for "igfxHK" there, it yields no results. What are some other ways I can try to disable this EXE from starting up with Windows?

Borek Bernard

Posted 2014-08-13T11:22:33.120

Reputation: 11 400

What driver version are you currently using? The startup entry for that specific process should be located in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run registry key. – and31415 – 2014-08-13T16:17:38.487

I have the same problem in Windows 7 – geneorama – 2014-11-15T20:57:47.777

Answers

I found igfxCUIService1.0.0.0 in autoruns, where CUI is common user interface. On a hunch, I disabled that. Hotkeys are now fine on reboot. So far I haven't noticed any negative consequences.

Ens

Posted 2014-08-13T11:22:33.120

Reputation: 156

I had this issue on Windows 7. I was finally able to turn it off by setting the service Intel(R) HD Graphics Control Panel Service to Manual and restarting.

Chad

Posted 2014-08-13T11:22:33.120

Reputation: 131

Right-click on desktop and select Graphics Properties. This should open up the Intel Control Panel, select Advanced if the option is offered.

In the Options and Support tab, at the top, is a check-box for enabling/disabling hot key functionality. Try that.

doggyTourettes

Posted 2014-08-13T11:22:33.120

Reputation: 136

That should work but because of this bug: https://communities.intel.com/message/237171 one has to manually kill the process. Anyway, the question is more about how to generically prevent such processes from starting when you can't find them in Autoruns.

– Borek Bernard – 2014-08-13T12:25:14.690

Yeah, this is Win8 specific. I hadn't realised before you posted that comment. Turns out my Win7 doesn't even have that executable, and the hotkeys release as they should. Here's hoping Intel pull their socks up! – doggyTourettes – 2014-08-13T13:07:06.177

1They've fixed the bug in the latest version, so this solution works very well and avoids nasty hacks that completely disable the control panel. It's now under Graphics Properties... > Options and Support. Click Disable and then Apply. – Zenexer – 2016-05-31T07:51:55.100