Fix dellcontrol.exe and mom.exe error! Are they Viruses?

Many Windows users encounter strange system errors that appear out of nowhere and interrupt normal computer usage. Two common startup or runtime issues reported by Dell laptop and desktop users are the dellcontrol.exe and mom.exe errors. These errors can show up when you boot your system, open certain applications, or even after uninstalling specific Dell or AMD software.

While these error messages may look serious, they are usually caused by missing files, corrupted software, outdated drivers, or incomplete uninstallations. 

This guide explains what these files are, why they occur, and how to fix them easily using simple methods that work on Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems.

Let’s begin!

What are the dellcontrol.exe and mom.exe Files?

The dellcontrol.exe file is associated with Dell QuickSet or other Dell utility software that controls hardware features such as power management, brightness, and keyboard shortcuts. When this file becomes corrupted, missing, or incorrectly configured, Windows may display an error during startup or when launching Dell utilities.

The mom.exe file belongs to AMD Catalyst Control Center, which is responsible for managing AMD graphics settings. If the Catalyst software becomes corrupted, outdated, or partially removed, Windows may show a mom.exe error message when the system starts or when you attempt to open graphics settings.

Common reasons for these errors include corrupted system files, incomplete software removal, outdated drivers, registry issues, malware infection, or missing dependencies like Microsoft .NET Framework. Sometimes, both errors appear together because of conflicting startup entries or leftover files from previously installed software.

Understanding the cause helps you apply the right fix and prevent the issue from returning.

How to Fix dellcontrol.exe and mom.exe error?

Fixing these errors requires identifying whether the issue comes from Dell utilities, AMD drivers, or leftover system files. You can resolve the problem by updating drivers, repairing software components, removing corrupted entries, and restoring system stability.

Follow the steps below in order. Each step targets a specific cause of the problem and ensures a complete solution.

Step 1: Check for malware and corrupted files

The first step is to make sure the error is not caused by malware or corrupted system files. Some malicious programs disguise themselves using file names like dellcontrol.exe or mom.exe, which can trigger repeated errors.

Open Windows Security and run a full system scan. Allow the scan to complete and remove any threats detected. After the scan, open Command Prompt as administrator and run the System File Checker by typing sfc /scannow and pressing Enter. This command scans for damaged system files and repairs them automatically.

Restart your computer after the scan finishes. If the error was caused by corrupted system files or malicious programs, it should now be resolved.

Step 2: Update or reinstall AMD graphics drivers

If the mom.exe error appears frequently, the issue is likely related to AMD graphics drivers or the Catalyst Control Center. Outdated or corrupted drivers can trigger the error during startup.

Open Device Manager and expand the Display Adapters section. Right-click your AMD graphics card and select Update driver. Choose the option to search automatically for updated drivers. Install any updates found and restart your system.

If updating does not solve the problem, uninstall the AMD graphics driver completely. Go to Control Panel and open Programs and Features. Find AMD Software or Catalyst Control Center and uninstall it. Restart your system and download the latest AMD drivers from the official AMD website. Install them and reboot again.

Reinstalling the drivers ensures that all required files, including mom.exe, are correctly installed and configured.

Step 3: Repair or reinstall Dell QuickSet and related utilities

The dellcontrol.exe error usually occurs because of issues with Dell QuickSet or Dell support utilities. If these programs are corrupted or partially removed, Windows cannot locate the required executable file.

Open Control Panel and go to Programs and Features. Locate Dell QuickSet or any Dell utility installed on your system. Select the program and choose Repair if available. If there is no repair option, uninstall the program completely and restart your computer.

Visit the official Dell support website and enter your device service tag. Download the latest version of Dell QuickSet or related utility software for your model. Install the software and restart your computer again.

Reinstalling ensures that dellcontrol.exe is restored correctly and eliminates startup errors.

Step 4: Disable unnecessary startup programs

Sometimes, both errors appear because Windows attempts to launch programs that are no longer installed. Removing invalid startup entries can stop the error messages from appearing.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and go to the Startup tab. Look for entries related to Dell utilities or AMD Catalyst Control Center. If you find entries that are no longer needed or linked to removed software, right-click and disable them.

Restart your computer and check if the error still appears. Disabling unnecessary startup programs helps prevent Windows from searching for missing files like dellcontrol.exe or mom.exe.

Step 5: Repair Microsoft .NET Framework

The mom.exe file relies heavily on the Microsoft .NET Framework. If the framework becomes corrupted, the error may appear repeatedly.

Open Control Panel and select Programs and Features. Click Turn Windows features on or off. Ensure that Microsoft .NET Framework is enabled. If it is already enabled, you can repair it by downloading the .NET Framework Repair Tool from Microsoft’s official website.

Run the repair tool and follow the on-screen instructions. Once completed, restart your computer. This process fixes compatibility issues and restores missing components required by the Catalyst Control Center.

Step 6: Clean the Windows registry

Leftover registry entries from uninstalled software can trigger repeated error messages. Cleaning these entries can resolve the issue permanently.

Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. Before making changes, create a backup by selecting Export from the File menu. Navigate to startup entries under the Run section and remove entries linked to missing Dell or AMD programs.

Be cautious when editing the registry. Only remove entries related to known uninstalled programs. After cleaning the registry, restart your computer and check if the errors are gone.

Step 7: Perform a system restore if necessary

If the error started recently and none of the above steps worked, performing a system restore can help. System Restore returns your computer to a previous state when everything worked correctly.

Search for System Restore in the Windows search bar and open it. Choose a restore point from a date before the error appeared. Follow the instructions to complete the process. After restoration, your system should operate without the error.

How do I fix dellcontrol.exe and mom.exe errors After Uninsatlling Dell Quickset?

Many users notice these errors after uninstalling Dell QuickSet or similar Dell utilities. This happens because some files or registry entries remain even after the program is removed.

To fix this issue, first open Task Manager and disable any startup entry related to Dell QuickSet or dellcontrol.exe. Restart your computer to confirm whether the error persists.

Next, open File Explorer and navigate to the Program Files and Program Files x86 folders. Look for leftover Dell folders and delete them if they exist. Also, check the Startup folder inside the Windows directory and remove any shortcuts related to Dell utilities.

Then open Registry Editor and search for entries related to Dell QuickSet or dellcontrol.exe. Remove leftover registry keys carefully. After cleaning up, restart your system.

If you still require Dell QuickSet functionality such as brightness control or keyboard shortcuts, reinstall the latest version from Dell’s official support page. Installing a fresh copy often resolves missing file errors.

Finally, run a system file check using the sfc /scannow command to repair any damaged system files left behind after the uninstall process.

Are dellcontrol.exe and mom.exe FIles Viruses?

One common question is whether these files are viruses. In most cases, dellcontrol.exe and mom.exe are legitimate files. However, malware can disguise itself with similar names, so running a virus scan is always recommended.

Deleting them without fixing the associated software can cause more issues. It is better to repair or reinstall the related program instead of removing the files directly.

Some users wonder if they can disable these programs permanently. Yes, you can disable startup entries if you do not use Dell QuickSet or AMD Catalyst Control Center. However, disabling them may remove certain hardware or graphics features.

Summary

The dellcontrol.exe and mom.exe errors usually occur because of corrupted files, outdated drivers, incomplete uninstallations, or missing system components. These errors are common on Dell systems and computers using AMD graphics software.

You can fix the problem by scanning for malware, updating drivers, reinstalling Dell QuickSet or AMD software, repairing Microsoft .NET Framework, cleaning registry entries, and disabling unnecessary startup programs. If the error appears after uninstalling Dell QuickSet, removing leftover files and registry entries often resolves it.