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What is dllhost.exe?
The genuine dllhost.exe file is a software component of Microsoft Windows by Microsoft. The Microsoft windows in an operating system. Dllhost.exe also runs the Dynamic Link Library Host. A block of code that stores in a single file that runs several files on a Windows PC. This program may cause errors if it not up to date.
Dynamic Link Library Host is a process that is designed to launch one or more windows operating services or applications. We often refer to it as a COM surrogate and loads. A quick peruse through Task Manager on any Windows system will reveal a process. It is also known as dllhost.exe running in the background.
If you’ve found that, you’d probably like to know what it and its description of “COM Surrogate” are doing. And whether or not it’s a safe process to have running on your computer. However, the good thing to consider is that it is should be there. This is a process Microsoft creates and is packaged in every version of the Windows operating system.
Now there is a small chance that dllhost.exe can get a virus. However, if your computer is up to date with all of the latest security patches from Windows Update. And you also install an anti-virus. Then its highly unlikely that you’ll have any problems with infection.
What is COM+?
To understand what dllhost.exe does. You need to understand what the COM+ Service actually is. COM+ is short for the Component Object Model. When pulling up the process/service in Process Explorer, it doesn’t reveal much.
It actually Manages the configuration and tracking of Component Object Model (COM)+-based components. If somehow the service stops working, most COM+-based components will not function properly. If we disable this service, Then any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Have a look at Microsoft Dev Center Library And it reveals in dllhost.exe that COM+ is primarily useful for these following
- Deploying enterprise-level applications for an entire network.
- Then providing pre-existing components for application development. Because we consider COM+ as an object-oriented programming architecture.
- Running an event registry that handles. For example system requests, enhances security, triggering process handles, and also creating service request queues for applications.
Furthermore:
COM+ consists of building block components that are self-defining and play well with others. The usefulness in this comes from the design of components that we share and reuse. Not only does this design lower the demand for system resources. But it also improves initialization speed.
The components object models are not written in any specific programming language. However, there are separate classes for each one depending on the programming language intended. On the enterprise level, this provides the advantage of mass-deployment with a GUI tool Microsoft created called DCOM.
Dllhost.exe is a Host fo DDL Files and Binary Executables:
A DLL (dynamic link library) is essentially a size-unspecific block of code in a single file. This code can be the makeup of an application, service, or just an add-on for a graphical user interface. Dllhost.exe is similar to svchost.exe.
It is a required Windows service for any COM+ oriented programming code. We will show you a sample of what dllhost.exe runs using Process Monitor. Which includes both .dll and .exe file types.
Risks:
Dllhost.exe is safe as long as the computer is up to date on all security patches. If you see it in the following places then you are safe:
- The official directory location for this process is C:\Windows\System32\dllhost.exe
- Dllhst3g is also a valid Windows process stored in the same System32 folder.
If dllhost.exe appears anywhere else, it is likely a virus. Some worm viruses mimic the name of dllhost and store themselves in the System32 folder. You should be careful about it. Here are some of them:
- Worm/Loveelet-Y stores itself in /Windows/System32/ as dllhost.com
- Worm/Loveelet-DR stores itself in /Windows/System32/ as dllhost.dll
High CPU Usage:
One possible security flaw in the design of the COM+ system is that. It allows any DLL stored on the system to run, assuming that the trigger initiating it the required permissions. This means that whenever you see a high CPU usage for dllhost.exe. It is probably not the host process causing the problem. But rather a loaded DLL running through the host. You can use a program such as Process Explorer to investigate further.
Dllhost.exe is actually a safe Windows process that Microsoft creates. We basically use it for launching other applications and services. It should be left running as it is critical to several system resources.
I hope you like this article and get help from it. If you still have any queries related to this article then feel free to ask them in the comments section below. Have a Great Day!
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