The genuine dasHost.exe file is a software component of Microsoft Windows Operating System by Microsoft Corporation. "DasHost.exe", when located in "C:\Windows\System32" in Windows 8 and later versions, is Microsoft's "Device Association Framework Provider Host," a new Windows service created for Windows 8, using "Local Service" account permissions and enabling connection and pairing of wired and wireless devices with Windows. (Devices still need drivers.) As a Windows core file, it cannot uninstall but can be stopped or disabled under "Services." It should not be removed. Unlike "svchost.exe" and "taskhost.exe", it is one service. It "hosts" device connections, not other services. Its name does not mean a larger "framework" like .NET exists. Almost all device connections use it, each having a separate instance of it in Task Manager. Devices connected through a network can be discovered, paired, and connected as if through a bus. Normally its memory and CPU usage are low unless devices or drivers malfunction. This process should be considered malware if found in Windows 7 or older systems.
DAsHost stands for Device Association Framework Provider Host
The .exe extension on a filename indicates an executable file. Executable files may, in some cases, harm your computer. Therefore, please read below to decide for yourself whether the dasHost.exe on your computer is a Trojan that you should remove, or whether it is a file belonging to the Windows operating system or to a trusted application.
Description: The original dasHost.exe from Microsoft is an important part of Windows, but often causes problems. DasHost.exe is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder.
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 69,632 bytes (21% of all occurrences), 68,096 bytes and 7 more variants.
DasHost.exe is a Windows core system file. The program has no visible window. DasHost.exe is a Microsoft signed file. The process listens for or sends data on open ports to a LAN or the Internet.
Therefore the technical security rating is 4% dangerous, but you should also take into account the user reviews.
Is dasHost.exe a virus? No, it is not. The true dasHost.exe file is a safe Microsoft Windows system process, called "Device Association Framework Provider Host".
However, writers of malware programs, such as viruses, worms, and Trojans deliberately give their processes the same file name to escape detection. Viruses with the same file name are for instance Trojan:Win32/Skeeyah.A!rfn or Trojan:Win32/Dynamer!ac (detected by Microsoft), and Trojan.Gen or Packed.Vmpbad!gen38 (detected by Symantec).
To ensure that no rogue dasHost.exe is running on your PC, click here to run a Free Virus Scan.
How to recognize suspicious variants?
If dasHost.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 85% dangerous. The file size is 79,666 bytes (66% of all occurrences) or 3,274,240 bytes.
The file is not a Windows core file. The program is not visible. The process starts upon Windows startup (see Registry key: Run, win.ini, TaskScheduler).
If dasHost.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files", the security rating is 96% dangerous. The file size is 5,792,768 bytes (50% of all occurrences) or 5,778,432 bytes.
The program is not visible. The process listens for or sends data on open ports to a LAN or the Internet. The dasHost.exe file is not a Windows system file. The application starts upon Windows startup (see Registry key: win.ini, Run, TaskScheduler).
DasHost.exe is able to monitor applications, manipulate other programs and connect to the Internet.
If dasHost.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 18% dangerous. The file size is 94,720 bytes.
Important: Some malware disguises itself as dasHost.exe, particularly when not located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the dasHost.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.
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User Comments
Device Association Framework Provider Host Filename "dashost.exe" is used by Microsoft Windows System files - the file is a legitimate part of Windows 8, and in this MD5 variant is virus-free. - Safe AjayPani
Windows 8.1 size: 94720 Bruno Monteiro
supposedly Microsoft product
dasHost.exe is being exploited by Nvidia, I have recorded this service as well as netbios, svchost and printspooler all sending when my computer is completely disconnected from the internet. Nvidia is using data collection to steal from their customers. It's in their own program files, open those .dlls and start reading.. They are taking everything from our devices in any means possible and no one seems to have any interest in stopping them. Sonya
Hi. It says my dasHost.exe file (located in System32 folder) is 95.232 bytes, or 57.344 bytes on disk. Not sure which is the "real" number, or how I can determine whether it is trustworthy (I am dealing with a virus problem, keeps hijacking my browsers with crapware). Too bad I can't read these German comments. Jay
I think that is a Virus to remote control pc. Because I use a German vpn and dasHost is in German. It's not provided from windows. B0Y_AyyildizTIM
I recently allowed a major Windows update. Now I'm getting this warning. It's unclear to me why McAfee doesn't recognize it. Pat
I've reset my bitdefender-managed windows firewall so anytime there is an outgoing packet from a file I am given option of allowing/not allowing file send packet. When blocked DasHost.exe regularly tries to send info out repeatedly. Not positive by smels like a trojan. Also recently had problems with updating Emsisoft at sametime. Pat2
It keeps making my internet crash hour in hour
in the past didn't show dashost process, today pop up 3 and found the file size in system32 is 92kb. i paied attention because my app software deadlocked. bill
Recently I had my AV detect an attempt to make a connection from an external IP adress (incoming connection). I googled the IP adress and its a BOGON adress. Meaning this is probably case by some malware. It used the dashost.exe from the system362 folder, making it appear as legitimate. Be carefull and whenever you have something out of the ordinary happening, investigate before making a hiarsh decision.
Apparenltly,it hasn internet capability, without any intertnet cable, confirming that it uses wifi connections. and on my computer, uses something called igmp through system 2 insert it's control into system. It also might try use 2 dismhost.exe 2 access protected com interfaces according 2, comodo firewall. Mine is size 93.5kt. it is extremely malicious, with intent on controlling everything at your computer that it gets it's hands on. relixa86
My Comodo blocked das host 28 times Johno
Just found dasHost.exe 93.5 KB on my machine that's clearly been hijacked. I'm trying go track down the source/s and this one popped up as sending a UDP 17 packet which is unnerving because I'm in airplane mode with wifi turned off. I've been fighting identity theft and pervasive hacking by a former loved one. One of the preceding symptoms was constant disconnecting from my brand new and freshly reconfigured router. Mox
Show all user comments
Summary: Average user rating of dasHost.exe:
based on 28 votes with 14 user comments.
11 users think dasHost.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
3 users think it's probably harmless.
3 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
5 users suspect danger.
6 users think dasHost.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
7 users don't grade dasHost.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving dasHost issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with dasHost. This means running a scan for malware, cleaning your hard drive using 1cleanmgr and 2sfc /scannow, 3uninstalling programs that you no longer need, checking for Autostart programs (using 4msconfig) and enabling Windows' 5Automatic Update. Always remember to perform periodic backups, or at least to set restore points.
Should you experience an actual problem, try to recall the last thing you did, or the last thing you installed before the problem appeared for the first time. Use the 6resmon command to identify the processes that are causing your problem. Even for serious problems, rather than reinstalling Windows, you are better off repairing of your installation or executing the 7DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command. This allows you to repair the operating system without losing data.
To get your computer running as fast as it did on day one, you can 8reset your PC. Your personal files will remain intact, but any programs you installed will need to be reinstalled.
To help you analyze the dasHost.exe process on your computer, the following programs have proven to be helpful: ASecurity Task Manager displays all running Windows tasks, including embedded hidden processes, such as keyboard and browser monitoring or Autostart entries. A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware or a Trojan. A good Bantivirus software detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, malware and trackers from your hard drive.
Score
User Comments
AjayPani
Bruno Monteiro
Sonya
Jay
B0Y_AyyildizTIM
Pat
Pat2
bill
relixa86
Johno
Mox
Summary: Average user rating of dasHost.exe: based on 28 votes with 14 user comments. 11 users think dasHost.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 3 users think it's probably harmless. 3 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 5 users suspect danger. 6 users think dasHost.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 7 users don't grade dasHost.exe ("not sure about it").