Legitimate tools can use this name, but malware can also mask themselves with generic names.
In most cases, yes – it is safe. It is signed by Microsoft Corporation. To verify: vs-preclean-vs.exe
However, malware authors sometimes name their malicious executables to mimic legitimate Microsoft processes. If you notice any of the following, your system may be infected: Legitimate tools can use this name, but malware
If you suspect malware, upload the file to VirusTotal or scan with Windows Defender, Malwarebytes, or another reputable AV. If you suspect malware, upload the file to
No – vs-preclean-vs.exe is a normal, helpful part of the Visual Studio build ecosystem. It keeps your build folder tidy and prevents link errors due to stale object files. Unless it is running endlessly without a build, located in an odd folder, or unsigned, you can safely ignore it.
This happens when an intermediate file is locked by another process (e.g., an antivirus scanner, another instance of the compiler, or the IDE itself). The solution is to close Visual Studio, delete the Debug/Release folder manually, and rebuild.