Since services.exe is a protected name, manual deletion can be difficult and risky. A multi-layered approach using reputable tools is the safest route:
The legitimate file belongs in C:\Windows\System32 . If you find a file named services.exe in your Downloads , Temp , or AppData folders, it is almost certainly a virus (often a trojan, miner, or spyware). Services Exe Virus Removal Tool
A free, portable tool from Microsoft designed specifically to find and reverse changes made by malware to system files. Since services
The real process uses very little CPU. If "services.exe" is consuming 90% of your CPU, it’s likely a malicious miner. A free, portable tool from Microsoft designed specifically
Use this for a "second opinion" scan. It is excellent at finding remnants of rootkits that standard antivirus programs might miss.
Frequent crashes or the inability to open Windows Services (services.msc) suggests the file has been tampered with or replaced. Recommended Removal Process
This is often the most effective tool for identifying "process-hollowing," where malware "hides" inside the legitimate services.exe process.