Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11alstscollector.exe is usually the ALSTSCollector Application installed with ESTsoft’s ALTools software. Known installations are commonly found in an ESTsoft Common folder and may be digitally signed by ESTsoft Corp. A filename alone cannot prove that every copy is safe: verify the file’s location, publisher signature, version, hash and current security-scan result before deciding whether to keep, repair or remove it.
What alstscollector.exe is
Windows executable names are not unique identifiers. In the expected installation context, ALSTSCollector.exe is identified in file-information records as the ALSTSCollector Application, published and digitally signed by ESTsoft Corp. The metadata associates it with ESTsoft’s ALTools software family.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Two commonly reported paths are:
C:Program Filesestsoftcommonalstscollector.exeC:Program Files (x86)ESTsoftCommonALSTSCollector.exe
Windows does not require a particular capitalization, so alstscollector.exe and ALSTSCollector.exe can refer to the same file. The exact internal purpose of the “collector” component is not publicly documented in the authoritative material available for this file. Do not assume that its name proves it collects a particular kind of personal information or telemetry; that would require examining the installed binary, its parent application and its runtime behavior.
Is alstscollector.exe safe?
A herdProtect record for version 11.7.15.0 lists ESTsoft as the verified signer and reports 0/68 detections for the analyzed hash on October 8, 2026. That is useful evidence for that exact sample and date, not a guarantee for every executable with the same filename. A modified, replaced or malicious file can use an identical name.
#1 Best Overall
![Norton 360 Deluxe 2027 Antivirus, 3 Devices, Auto-Renews [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41qw3FS3qLL._SL160_.jpg)
- ONGOING PROTECTION Download instantly & install protection for 3 PCs, Macs, iOS or Android devices in minutes!
- TOP-PERFORMING VPN Faster speeds, more server locations, and greater connection control to protect your privacy across all your devices, including Smart TVs.
- ADVANCED SCAM PROTECTION Help spot hidden scams online. With the built-in Genie AI assistant, you’ll never wonder if a message or email is suspicious again.
- REAL-TIME PROTECTION Advanced security protects against existing and emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses, and it won’t slow down your device performance.
- DARK WEB MONITORING Identity thieves can buy or sell your information on websites and forums. We search the dark web and notify you should your information be found.
Microsoft’s Defender XDR documentation cautions that “Not all uncommon programs are malicious, but the risk in the unknown category is higher for the typical user.” In practice, confidence is highest when all of the following agree:
- The file is inside an ESTsoft or ALTools installation directory.
- The Digital Signatures tab identifies ESTsoft Corp. and Windows reports that the signature is valid.
- The product and file version match the installed ESTsoft software.
- The cryptographic hash matches a trusted record when one is available.
- A current scan of the actual file on your computer is clean.
Consider the file suspicious when it is unsigned, has a different publisher, runs from a user-writable or unrelated directory such as a temporary-download folder, appeared after an untrusted download, or triggers a security alert. A clean multi-engine result is evidence, not a certificate of safety: the scan must correspond to the copy that is actually on your PC.
Check the file before changing anything
1. Find the running or reported copy
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
- On the Details tab, look for
alstscollector.exe. If it is not running, use File Explorer search for that exact name. - Right-click the process, choose Open file location, and record the complete path. If there are multiple copies, check each one separately.
Do not delete a file merely because it appears in Task Manager. First establish which installed program owns it and whether its identity checks pass.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
2. Verify the digital signature and product details
- In File Explorer, right-click the executable and select Properties.
- Open Digital Signatures. Select the signature, choose Details, and confirm that Windows reports a valid signature from ESTsoft Corp.
- Open the Details tab. Check Product name, Company, File version and any description against the ESTsoft/ALTools program installed on the computer.
- If the Digital Signatures tab is missing, the signer is different, or Windows says the signature is invalid, treat the file as unverified and continue with a security scan before launching it.
3. Check the hash and startup behavior
Microsoft Sysinternals Sigcheck can display version and signature information. From an elevated Command Prompt, run a command in this form, replacing the path with the actual location:
Rank #2
- THREAT DETECTION – Stay one step ahead. Suspicious links, risky sites, viruses, and scams, caught automatically before they reach you.
- PERSONAL INFO PROTECTION – Keep your personal info safer. Identity monitoring watches for your exposed info and tells you what to do about it.
- SECURE CONNECTIONS – Just a few easy clicks, and we'll automatically protect your info on public Wi‑Fi, every time you connect.
- GUIDED ACTION – Know what matters and what to do next. Clear alerts and simple guidance make it easy to take action.
- MORE THAN ANTIVIRUS – Scam protection, identity monitoring, VPN, web protection, and antivirus work together to protect you, all in one place.
sigcheck -nobanner -a -h -i "C:Program Filesestsoftcommonalstscollector.exe"Compare the reported publisher, version and hash with a trusted record when the same version is being assessed. A different hash does not automatically mean malware—software updates legitimately change hashes—but it means that an old scan result cannot certify the current file.
Use Microsoft Sysinternals Autoruns to see whether the executable is configured to start automatically. In Autoruns, use the search box for alstscollector, inspect the entry’s image path and signed status, and note the parent software. An unexpected startup entry, especially one pointing outside an ESTsoft directory, deserves investigation rather than blind deletion.
4. Calculate a local hash if needed
PowerShell’s built-in command can calculate a SHA-256 hash without opening the executable:
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Get-FileHash -Algorithm SHA256 "C:Program Filesestsoftcommonalstscollector.exe"Save the output before making changes. Hash comparisons are meaningful only when the reference hash was produced for the same file version and the same path is not being confused with another copy.
Rank #3
![Norton 360 Deluxe 2027 Antivirus, 5 Devices, Auto-Renews [Download] | Includes Scam Protection, Advanced VPN, Dark Web Monitoring, & PC Cloud Backup](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41IYV5zGyCL._SL160_.jpg)
- ONGOING PROTECTION Download instantly & install protection for 5 PCs, Macs, iOS or Android devices in minutes!
- TOP-PERFORMING VPN Faster speeds, more server locations, and greater connection control to protect your privacy across all your devices, including Smart TVs.
- ADVANCED SCAM PROTECTION Help spot hidden scams online. With the built-in Genie AI assistant, you’ll never wonder if a message or email is suspicious again.
- REAL-TIME PROTECTION Advanced security protects against existing and emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses, and it won’t slow down your device performance.
- DARK WEB MONITORING Identity thieves can buy or sell your information on websites and forums. We search the dark web and notify you should your information be found.
Why alstscollector.exe errors happen
The error message alone rarely identifies the cause. Common possibilities include a damaged ALTools installation, an incomplete update, deleted or quarantined companion files, incompatible permissions, a corrupted Windows component, or a replacement executable that is not the original ESTsoft file. A crash can also result from a conflict with another startup program. The public metadata does not document the collector’s precise internal work, so claims that it definitely gathers a specific category of data are not justified.
Use the symptom to choose the least risky response:
| What you observe | Most useful first action | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A crash occurs only when an ESTsoft/ALTools application opens | Repair or reinstall that parent application from the publisher’s official source | The executable may be missing or damaged alongside its application files. |
| You do not use the associated ESTsoft program | Uninstall the parent program, reboot and rescan | Removing the owning application is safer than deleting one shared executable. |
| Windows Security flags the file | Quarantine it and run an updated full scan | The alert takes priority over an old clean report for another hash. |
| The file runs from an unexpected folder or keeps returning | Disconnect sensitive accounts from the PC and perform offline scanning | Persistence or a mismatched location can indicate replacement or unwanted software. |
Fix alstscollector.exe errors manually
Fix 1: Repair the owning ESTsoft application
- Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps. On older Windows releases, open Control Panel → Programs and Features.
- Search for the ESTsoft or ALTools program that installed the file.
- If the entry offers Advanced options, choose Repair or Reset only when you understand that Reset can remove application data. If no repair option exists, use the program’s own maintenance or repair option.
- Restart Windows and reproduce the original action that caused the error.
Repair the parent application rather than downloading a replacement executable from a generic DLL or EXE site. Third-party replacement files can be modified, bundled with unwanted software or mismatched with the rest of the installation.
Fix 2: Reinstall from the official publisher source
- Back up any settings or documents created by the ALTools application.
- Uninstall the affected ESTsoft program from Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
- Restart the PC so locked files and startup entries are released.
- Download the current installer from the official ESTsoft distribution channel, verify that the installer’s publisher is ESTsoft Corp., and install it normally.
- Check the new executable’s path and signature after installation.
If the problem began immediately after an update, record the old and new versions and check whether the publisher has issued a corrected build. Do not copy an executable from another computer; supporting files and registry entries may differ.
Rank #4
- THREAT DETECTION – Stay one step ahead. Suspicious links, risky sites, viruses, and scams, caught automatically before they reach you.
- PERSONAL INFO PROTECTION – Keep your personal info safer. Identity monitoring watches for your exposed info and tells you what to do about it.
- SECURE CONNECTIONS – Just a few easy clicks, and we'll automatically protect your info on public Wi‑Fi, every time you connect.
- GUIDED ACTION – Know what matters and what to do next. Clear alerts and simple guidance make it easy to take action.
- MORE THAN ANTIVIRUS – Scam protection, identity monitoring, VPN, web protection, and antivirus work together to protect you, all in one place.
Fix 3: Uninstall the parent program when you do not need it
- Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps and identify the ESTsoft/ALTools entry associated with the executable.
- Select Uninstall and complete the vendor’s removal wizard.
- Restart Windows.
- Search for remaining copies of
alstscollector.exe. Do not manually remove unrelated files until you have confirmed they belong to the uninstalled program. - Run a current security scan after the restart.
Removing the parent program is preferable to deleting only the EXE because other components, services and startup registrations may depend on it.
Fix 4: Update Microsoft Defender and run a full scan
When a scanner flags the file, or when its identity checks fail, follow Microsoft’s remediation sequence:
- Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Protection updates.
- Select Check for updates and wait for the latest security intelligence.
- Return to Virus & threat protection, choose Scan options, select Full scan, and start it.
- Allow Microsoft Defender to quarantine detected items. Do not restore
alstscollector.exemerely because its filename looks familiar. - Restart if Windows Security requests it, then review Protection history.
Microsoft describes the key instruction this way: in Windows Security, get the latest security intelligence and then run a full scan with Microsoft Defender Antivirus. The scan must be performed on the local file; a historical 0/68 result for another hash cannot clear it.
Recommended Free Tools
Fix 5: Use Microsoft Defender Offline for persistent or suspicious cases
Use an offline scan when the file reappears after removal, launches from an unexpected directory, lacks a valid signature, or shows suspicious startup or network behavior.
Best Value
![Malwarebytes Standard, Premium Security| Amazon Exclusive | 18 Months, 2 Devices | Windows, Mac OS, Android, Apple iOS, Chrome [Online Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41LbYnawq9L._SL160_.jpg)
- AWARD WINNING Antivirus, anti-malware, anti-spyware & more
- 24/7 REAL TIME PROTECTION against emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses- without slowing you down.
- PROTECTS YOUR DEVICES ON MULTIPLE PLATFORMS: Get cyber protection for your computers, smartphones, or tablets- Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
- DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL INSTANTLY
- UNMATCHED THREAT DETECTION: We found malware on 40 percent of devices that already had a third-party antivirus installed.
- Save open work and connect the PC to power.
- Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Scan options.
- Select Microsoft Defender Offline scan and choose Scan now.
- Windows restarts into a trusted scanning environment and checks the system before normal startup programs load.
- After Windows starts again, open Protection history to review the result.
If you suspect account theft or sensitive-data exposure, disconnect the device from networks, use a different trusted device to change important passwords, and preserve the suspicious file’s path, hash, alert name and timestamps for a qualified technician. Do not keep launching the executable to test it.
Fix 6: Check Windows system files only when the symptom is broader
If several unrelated applications report missing or corrupted system files, use Windows’ built-in repair tools from an elevated Terminal. These commands are not a substitute for repairing the ESTsoft application, but they can address broader Windows corruption:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannowRun the commands in that order, allow each one to finish, restart Windows and test again. If only the ESTsoft application fails and Windows reports no system corruption, reinstalling its parent program is the more targeted action.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Can you delete alstscollector.exe?
Do not delete it directly while the owning program is installed. The file may be shared with other ALTools components, and manual deletion can create a different missing-file error without removing the associated startup entry or registry data.
Deletion is reasonable only after you have identified the parent application and removed it through Windows’ uninstall process, or after a security product has quarantined the file. If you find an untrusted copy outside the normal ESTsoft directory, preserve its evidence first, quarantine it through your security software, and complete a full or offline scan. Avoid emptying quarantine until you have confirmed that no legitimate application depends on the file.
Quick Recap
Decide whether to keep, repair or remove it
| Decision | Choose it when | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Keep | The path is an expected ESTsoft Common directory, the valid signer is ESTsoft Corp., the version belongs to installed software and the current local scan is clean. | Leave the installation intact and monitor for repeat crashes. |
| Repair or reinstall | The file passes identity checks but the parent ALTools application crashes, reports missing files or fails after an update. | Use the application’s repair option or reinstall from the official publisher source. |
| Uninstall | You no longer use the parent ESTsoft program. | Remove the parent application, reboot and rescan rather than deleting only the EXE. |
| Quarantine and investigate | The file is unsigned, has a different publisher, sits in an unrelated directory, triggers an alert or returns after removal. | Quarantine it, update security intelligence, run a full scan and use Defender Offline when necessary. |
What not to do
- Do not trust the filename by itself.
- Do not download a replacement copy from an arbitrary DLL or EXE website.
- Do not restore a quarantined file solely because an old report found no detections.
- Do not assume that “collector” proves what data the component collects.
- Do not terminate or delete a shared program file before identifying its owner.
- Do not continue signing in to sensitive accounts on a machine showing persistence, an invalid signature or unexplained security alerts.
As an optional shortcut after the manual checks, Outbyte PC Repair can address more than 100 common Windows issues where possible, including broken system elements, invalid redirects and shared DLL problems, while also offering settings tweaks, temporary-file cleanup, privacy tools, vulnerability checks, a real-time boost, file shredding and an app-crash log. It complements antivirus software rather than replacing it; results vary and no tool repairs every crash. It runs on Windows 11, 10, 8 and 7, with a free trial by category for at least two days before a paid subscription.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
