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What’s AddInUtil.exe (AddInUtil.exe)? Is it safe or a virus?

AddInUtil.exe is a utility provided by Microsoft Corporation that is used to register, unregister, and manage Office add-ins, particularly for applications like Microsoft Office or Visual Studio Tools for Office (VSTO). It helps developers and administrators streamline the integration of custom add-ins into Office applications by handling registry entries and ensuring proper loading of add-in components. Often leveraged in development and deployment scenarios, it facilitates testing and maintaining compatibility between customized solutions and Office programs. AddInUtil.exe is typically executed via the command line and is essential for ensuring the proper functioning of add-ins within the Office ecosystem.

Researched by Carl @ SpyShelter Labs

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More about AddInUtil.exe on WINDOWS

Who makes AddInUtil.exe (AddInUtil.exe)?

We’ve found Microsoft Corporation should be the publisher of AddInUtil.exe.

How do we know? Our SpyShelter cybersecurity labs focuses on monitoring different types of Windows PC executables and their behaviors for our popular SpyShelter Antispyware software. Learn more about us, and how our cybersecurity team studies Windows PC executables/processes.

What does it mean if someone is the publisher of a PC .exe (executable or process)?

The publisher of an executable is the entity responsible for its distribution and authenticity. Most processes/executables on your PC should be signed. The signature on the executable should have been verified through a third party whose job it is to make sure the entity is who it says it is. Find an unsigned executable? You should consider scanning any completely unsigned .exe on your PC.

Last updated: March 10, 2025

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Why should you trust us?

Our team at SpyShelter has been studying Windows PC executables for over 15 years, to help fight against spyware, malware, and other threats. SpyShelter has been featured in publications like The Register, PC Magazine, and many others. Now we’re working to share free, actionable, and easy to understand information about Windows executables (processes) with the world, to help as many people as possible keep their devices safe. Learn more about us on our "About SpyShelter” page.

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