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What’s PAD.BrowserNativeMessageHost.exe (Web Automation Native Message Host)? Is it safe or a virus?

PAD.BrowserNativeMessageHost.exe by Microsoft Corporation is a system-associated executable designed to enable communication between web browsers and external applications or processes, particularly for automation purposes. It acts as a native messaging host, facilitating secure data exchange between the browser and Microsoft's Power Automate Desktop (PAD) tool. This integration allows users to execute web-based automation tasks, such as interacting with websites or extracting data, as part of broader workflow automation. The process is central to Power Automate's ability to bridge browser-based activities with desktop automation, enhancing efficiency in task execution while maintaining secure and streamlined operations.

Below are 4 simple steps you can take to see if the PAD.BrowserNativeMessageHost.exe process is safe or malware.

  1. Scan the executable with Microsoft's built-in tech
  2. Find PAD.BrowserNativeMessageHost.exe's publisher
  3. Search the executable's hash with VirusTotal
  4. Monitor the executable's behavior

Researched by Carl @ SpyShelter Labs

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More about PAD.BrowserNativeMessageHost.exe on WINDOWS

Who makes PAD.BrowserNativeMessageHost.exe (Web Automation Native Message Host)?

We’ve found Microsoft Corporation should be the publisher of PAD.BrowserNativeMessageHost.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 17, 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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