What is dllhost.exe?

Dllhost.exe file information

The process known as COM Surrogate or DLL Host Service or Topaz OFD - Protection Module or Quasar Client or Intel® Security Assist or DTTM.exe or HS_Svc or C?m Surr?gate

belongs to software Microsoft Windows Operating System or Task24Watch.exe or Task16MinerWatch.exe or Topaz OFD - Protection or Quasar or Task29Watch.exe or cito or BaiduYunGuanjia Application

by Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) or Microsoft Windows Operating System (windows.microsoft.com) or Topaz OFD or apatia chi or Intel (www.intel.com).

Description: The original dllhost.exe from Microsoft is an important part of Windows, but often causes problems. Dllhost.exe is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 7,168 bytes (43% of all occurrences), 19,256 bytes and 35 more variants.  
It is a Windows system file. The program has no visible window. The dllhost.exe file is a trustworthy file from Microsoft. Therefore the technical security rating is 3% dangerous; however you should also read the user reviews.

Recommended: Identify dllhost.exe related errors

Viruses with the same file name

Is dllhost.exe a virus? No, it is not. The true dllhost.exe file is a safe Microsoft Windows system process, called "COM Surrogate". 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 e.g. Trojan.Generic.KD.522085 or Application.BitCoinMiner.AX (detected by BitDefender), and Win32:Malware-gen or Win32:BitCoinMiner-FR [PUP] (detected by Avast).
To ensure that no rogue dllhost.exe is running on your PC, click here to run a Free Virus Scan.

How to recognize suspicious variants?

• If dllhost.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 6% dangerous. The file size is 7,168 bytes (48% of all occurrences), 19,256 bytes and 16 more variants. The program is not visible. Dllhost.exe is a Windows system file. The dllhost.exe file is a Microsoft signed file.
• If dllhost.exe is located in the C:\Windows folder, the security rating is 73% dangerous. The file size is 8,100,148 bytes (11% of all occurrences), 6,426,624 bytes and 13 more variants. Dllhost.exe is not a Windows core file. The program has no visible window. The software listens for or sends data on open ports to a LAN or the Internet. There is no file information. Dllhost.exe is an unknown file in the Windows folder. Dllhost.exe is able to record keyboard and mouse inputs, connect to the Internet, monitor applications and manipulate other programs.
• If dllhost.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 77% dangerous. The file size is 3,884,544 bytes (10% of all occurrences), 13,179,660 bytes and 16 more variants.
• If dllhost.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files", the security rating is 71% dangerous. The file size is 73,216 bytes (14% of all occurrences), 26,112 bytes and 9 more variants.
• If dllhost.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files\Common Files", the security rating is 26% dangerous. The file size is 13,608 bytes.
• If dllhost.exe is located in the Windows folder for temporary files, the security rating is 83% dangerous. The file size is 13,179,660 bytes.
• If dllhost.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\, the security rating is 68% dangerous. The file size is 1,806,336 bytes (50% of all occurrences) or 2,210,304 bytes.
• If dllhost.exe is located in C:\, the security rating is 40% dangerous. The file size is 67,072 bytes.
• If dllhost.exe is located in a subfolder of Windows folder for temporary files, the security rating is 56% dangerous. The file size is 2,049,024 bytes.
• If dllhost.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows\System32, the security rating is 100% dangerous. The file size is 370,688 bytes.

External information from Paul Collins:

• "Gilat SOM Enumerator" must run at start up. For Gilat Communications internet satellite systems - associated with SkyBlaster modem. Required if you have this system

Important: Some malware disguises itself as dllhost.exe, particularly when not located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the dllhost.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.