The genuine taskhostw.exe file is a software component of Windows service start manager by Microsoft. Taskhostw.exe is part of the Windows 10 operating system, and starts DLL-based Windows services when the computer boots up. Thus, Windows 10 uses the taskhostw.exe file as a host for processes that execute as part of a DLL file rather than through an EXE. Like an executable DLL, a DLL contains executable code and resources that can be shared. This host process for Windows tasks indicates the Windows version, since the file name under Windows 7 is taskhost.exe and under Windows 8 taskhostex.exe. To see all the DLL's that have been loaded by taskhostw.exe, open a cmd window and enter the command tasklist /M /FI "IMAGENAME eq taskhostw.exe".
TaskHostW stands for Task's Host for Windows
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 taskhostw.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: Taskhostw.exe is not essential for Windows and will often cause problems. Taskhostw.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\ProgramData"—primarily C:\ProgramData\RealtekHD\ or C:\ProgramData\ReaItekHD\.
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 13,179,660 bytes (44% of all occurrences), 3,050,496 bytes and 10 more variants.
Taskhostw.exe is not a Windows core file. The program is not visible. The taskhostw.exe file is a Windows scheduled tasks.
Taskhostw.exe is able to monitor applications, record keyboard and mouse inputs and manipulate other programs.
Therefore the technical security rating is 75% dangerous; however you should also read the user reviews.
If taskhostw.exe is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder, the security rating is 5% dangerous. The file size is 71,792 bytes (50% of all occurrences), 71,848 bytes or 71,280 bytes.
The taskhostw.exe file is a Windows system file. The taskhostw.exe file is a trustworthy file from Microsoft. The program is not visible.
Uninstalling this variant:
If there are any problems with taskhostw.exe, you can visit the vendor's support site or uninstall the software Microsoft Windows using the Uninstall a Program function of Windows Control Panel (Windows: Start, Settings, Control Panel, Uninstall a Program).
If taskhostw.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 81% dangerous. The file size is 1,385,980 bytes (33% of all occurrences), 1,379,328 bytes or 1,576,960 bytes.
There is no information about the author of the file. The program is not visible. The file is not a Windows system file.
Taskhostw.exe is able to monitor applications.
If taskhostw.exe is located in a subfolder of Windows folder for temporary files, the security rating is 56% dangerous. The file size is 9,719,296 bytes.
Important: Some malware also uses the file name taskhostw.exe, for example Trojan.Gen or Trojan.Gen.2 (detected by Symantec), and Trojan:Win32/Skeeyah.A!rfn or Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner!bit (detected by Microsoft). Therefore, you should check the taskhostw.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
Host Process for Windows Tasks or taskhostw.exe (microsoft) Anonymous (further information)
virus
All parts of Windows are malware. Use a different operating system. rms (further information)
its dangerous and i read above and i am agree it is use by trogen horse developer this software want to get acess to my camera and location so on faheem
mine is located in sys32 folder so I assume mine is aight Dennis
It wakes up my other drives at random intervals just to check disk information. That's very annoying since my spindeldrives are quite noisy. Tim
I know the correct location of the file. "C: \ Windows \ System32 \ taskhostw.exe" I recommend blocking internet outbound traffic for this app. Jan Nowak_423
Summary: Average user rating of taskhostw.exe:
based on 17 votes with 7 user comments.
5 users think taskhostw.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
4 users think it's probably harmless.
2 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
One user suspects danger.
5 users think taskhostw.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
One user is not sure about it.
Best practices for resolving taskhostw issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with taskhostw. 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 taskhostw.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
Anonymous (further information)
rms (further information)
faheem
Dennis
Tim
Jan Nowak_423
Summary: Average user rating of taskhostw.exe: based on 17 votes with 7 user comments. 5 users think taskhostw.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 4 users think it's probably harmless. 2 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. One user suspects danger. 5 users think taskhostw.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. One user is not sure about it.