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What is hstart.exe?

hstart.exe is an executable file associated with the software Hidden Start (hstart) developed by Alexander Avdonin's NTWind Software. This software is designed to run applications and scripts in the background, without any visible Windows. Good for bypassing UAC or hide the Console Windows.

Hidden Start is particularly useful for scheduling automatic tasks, running batch files silently, and managing startup tasks. It can also be used to hide console windows, create shortcuts that automatically elevate permissions, and more.

It is needed when you want to run certain tasks or scripts in the background without disturbing the user's activity. It's also useful for system administrators and developers who need to automate tasks.

While hstart.exe is not inherently harmful, it can be used by malicious software to run harmful scripts or applications in the background without the user's knowledge. If you find hstart.exe in an unusual location (like C:\Windows\update32), it could be a sign of a virus or malware. In such cases, it should be removed.

hstart.exe is also associated with Dell DataSafe Local Backup - Support by Dell. This is a backup and recovery solution that comes pre-installed on most Dell computers. If you're not using this software or if it's causing issues, you might want to remove hstart.exe.

Before removing hstart.exe, it's recommended to perform a thorough system scan with a reliable antivirus or anti-malware program to ensure it's not a malicious file.

Click to Run a Free Scan for hstart.exe related errors

Hstart.exe file information

Windows Task Manager with hstart
Hstart.exe process in Windows Task Manager

The process known as Hidden Start (version (32-bit)) belongs to software Alexander Avdonin or Dell DataSafe Local Backup - Support by or Dell (www.dell.com).

Description: Hstart.exe is not essential for the Windows OS and causes relatively few problems. The file hstart.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows (generally C:\Windows\update32\). Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 110,208 bytes (80% of all occurrences) or 107,016 bytes. file.net/process/hstart.exe.html 
Hstart.exe is digitally signed. The hstart.exe file is not a Windows system file. The application is loaded during the Windows boot process (see Registry key: User Shell Folders, MACHINE\RunOnce). Therefore the technical security rating is 34% dangerous.

Uninstalling this variant: If you experience any issues with installation of hstart.exe, you can do the following:

Recommended: Identify hstart.exe related errors

If hstart.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files", the security rating is 7% dangerous. The file size is 18,240 bytes. The program has a visible window. The file is not a Windows core file. The program is loaded during the Windows boot process (see Registry key: User Shell Folders, MACHINE\RunOnce). The hstart.exe file is a Verisign signed file. The file is digitally signed. hstart.exe appears to be a compressed file.

Uninstalling this variant: If you experience any issues with installation of hstart.exe, you can do the following:

Important: Some malware camouflages itself as hstart.exe, particularly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the hstart.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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Best practices for resolving hstart issues

A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with hstart. 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 hstart.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.



Other processes

hstart.exe [all]