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Our ultimate directory of Windows PC executables.Need to search your Windows PC? Then SearchHost.exe is an important process you're not going to want to kill in your Task Manager.
After checking the different machines here in our SpyShelter cybersecurity lab here in Austin, Texas, we found every one had SearchHost.exe actively running. It's a safe app, as long as it's signed by Microsoft as it should be.
SearchHost.exe is a Windows process that is responsible for indexing and performing searches on a user's computer. When a user performs a search using the Windows search feature, SearchHost.exe is used to retrieve the relevant results by scanning the files and folders on the system. This process helps to provide quick and accurate search results to the user.
Additionally, SearchHost.exe also aids in enabling features such as Copilot and Microsoft Edge by providing data for online and local searches. It is an essential component of the Windows operating system, ensuring that users can efficiently locate and access their files and information.
Below are 4 simple steps you can take to see if the SearchHost.exe process is safe or malware.
Researched by Carl @ SpyShelter Labs
A Trojan is a harmful software that pretends to be a legitimate program or file to deceive users into downloading it. It can steal personal information, damage files, or give hackers control over the infected device.
Download SpyShelter to see detailed safety information about every .exe on your PC.
Check your PC for threatsWe’ve found Microsoft Windows should be the publisher of SearchHost.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.
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.
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.
Have any questions? Please join our free public SpyShelter PC Security Forum and talk cybersecurity with our USA-based team. We love talking about PC Security and we’d like to get to know you.
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