The genuine host.exe file is a software component of BKDR_NETWIRED.XXL or TROJ_KRYPTIK.EJPW. Microsoft Windows has multiple valid process names ending in "-host.exe", (e.g., "taskhost.exe" or "svchost.exe"), but apparently none named simply "host.exe". Unsafe processes named "host.exe" can exist in different locations and present different levels of danger depending on the malware depositing them. "C:\Windows\System32" is the most dangerous location. One version is put in a "C:\Windows\svchost" subfolder. TrendMicro identifies multiple threats which are deposited by other malware in an "\Install" subfolder of the user's profile folder, such as BKDR_NETWIRED.XXL, a "backdoor" which compromises a system by its ability to execute commands from a remote malicious user, and the Trojan TROJ_KRYPTIK.EJPW, described as "low risk."
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 host.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: Host.exe is not essential for Windows and will often cause problems. Host.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder—usually C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Host System\ or C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Install\.
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 536,576 bytes (42% of all occurrences), 8,192 bytes and 6 more variants.
The process is a background process, and the service name is HostService.
The host.exe file is not a Windows core file. There is no file information. The program has no visible window.
Host.exe is able to record keyboard and mouse inputs and monitor applications.
Therefore the technical security rating is 70% dangerous, but you should also take into account the user reviews.
If host.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files", the security rating is 83% dangerous. The file size is 34,288 bytes (30% of all occurrences), 5,716,480 bytes and 4 more variants.
It is not a Windows system file. The program is not visible. The software has no file description.
Uninstalling this variant:
If you experience any issues with installation of host.exe, you can turn to the software company, Netsupportsoftware, for advice or uninstall NetSupport School software via Windows Control Panel/Add or Remove Programs (Windows XP) or Programs and Features (Windows 10/8/7).
If host.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 70% dangerous. The file size is 1,988,096 bytes (25% of all occurrences), 438,272 bytes, 1,158,656 bytes or 1,055,462 bytes.
There is no file information. The program is not visible. It is located in the Windows folder, but it is not a Windows core file. The host.exe file is not a Windows core file.
Host.exe is able to monitor applications, connect to the Internet, record keyboard and mouse inputs and hide itself.
Important: Some malware also uses the file name host.exe, for example TROJ_GEN.R002C0PH818 or SPYW_PERFLOG (detected by TrendMicro), and not-a-virus:Monitor.Win32.Perflogger.bfq or Trojan-Ransom.NSIS.Onion.eb (detected by Kaspersky). Therefore, you should check the host.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.
Score
User Comments
right setings
Added by the W32/Kelvir-S. An MSN Messenger worm, it will attempt to disable security related processes and services.
It has tried to access my computer several times but my MalWareBytes Anti-Malware block it. I just did not know what it was. Thanks for the info. Ingrid
c:\windows\system32\host.exe size 73,216 has same install date as FileZilla FTP server and Bind9 DNS server on my Win 8. P
my friend has it, and he says that his tabs close at the same time because of it, and he says sometimes, he also gets a black screen with some text that he can't read because that it passes too fast. a
Summary: Average user rating of host.exe:
based on 4 votes with 5 user comments.
One user thinks host.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
One user thinks it's neither essential nor dangerous.
2 users think host.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
3 users don't grade host.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving host issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with host. 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 host.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
Ingrid
P
a
Summary: Average user rating of host.exe: based on 4 votes with 5 user comments. One user thinks host.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. One user thinks it's neither essential nor dangerous. 2 users think host.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 3 users don't grade host.exe ("not sure about it").