NCLAUNCH

almost immediately thereafter with a link to this inspired interlude: I wonder if either of those tunes were created on Windows? windows music, windows sounds Related Content:I’m Not Quite Dead YetCreative Sound Windows Vista Audio WarningNCLAUNCHFree Sound EffectsA Better Vista Boot ScreenJingle Jangle JingleMicrosoft Windows VistaBatch BonanzaNew Version of MSCONFIGSuper Tweakers [IMG]

First Post!
Anyways, Thanks.

I found a link in the Northcode support forums (makers of SWF Studio) to an uninstaller for NCLaunch.exe                
http://www.northcode.com/misc/unlaunch.exe
         Also a link that better explains what NCLaunch.exe is for and what it does.           
http://www.northcode.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2867&highlight=nclaunch
         Doesn't appear to have any nasty intentions or side effects. Using a background app to facilitate functionality isn't an inherently “Bad Idea”. In this case, it would seem to be the responsibility of the distributer of the “lousy-*** eye candy” to completely clean up after itself on uninstall.                   
Maybe the warning would be better made against the purveyor of said “lousy-*** eye candy” than against Northcode/SWF Studio who appear to simply develop the tools used (which include NCLaunch.exe)

FYI, I just installed AOL Instant Messenger and upon completion I immediately found this process running. A little digging yielded the following pieces of adware that were piggybacked with AIM (and unmentioned in their installation or software agreement):
WildTangent Multiplayer Library
WildTangent Updater
WildTangent Web Driver
Viewpoint Media Player
Shame on AOL (as though that's some kind of revelation).
Interestingly my IDS picked up signatures once the scumware fired up that sent ICMP traffic to 206.65.182.93, an IP owned by GTEK Technologies.
- mike

NCLaunch is a utility installed by screensaver applications created with SWF Studio (www.northcode.com). The utility allows the screensaver to launch URLs and applications from the screensaver that survive the termination of the screensaver on Windows NT, 2000 and XP - a job that is otherwise impossible.
NCLaunch is NOT a virus, adware or spyware and doesn't access the net for any reason.
As you have already noted, there is information in the file properties that directs you to northcode.com where you can find out what NCLaunch is and how to remove it.
No attempt was made to hide this utility, it is necessary to the proper functioning of SWF Studio.
NCLaunch can be removed quickly and automatically (if you're sure you don't need it) by running the “un-launcher” which you can download from: http://www.northcode.com/misc/unlauch.exe

Apparantly Northcode doesn't want you to have the ability to remove this stuff anymore. all the links to an unlaunch page go nowhere now and the site is very vague on how to actually remove their stuff.

Actually, the link provided does work and you can find more information in the forums:
http://www.northcode.com/forums
Example:
http://www.northcode.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3550
Or do a search for nclaunch* in their forums.
Although, their site is in need of updating for sure!

thanks for this info