Unmasking Svchost.exe - Is It Legit or Malware in Disguise?

SvcHost.exe is a crucial Windows system file that hosts many essential services. Unfortunately, malware often disguises itself as svchost.exe to bypass detection. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover all you need to know about svchost.exe.

What is SvcHost.exe?

SvcHost.exe is the Shared Service Host process for Windows, responsible for managing a large group of Windows services. The services it handles include:

Windows Update – Installs OS and software patches
Windows Firewall – Manages inbound and outbound network access
Windows Audio – Manages sound drivers and audio playback
Network Connections – Manages network adapters and protocols
Windows Event Log – Tracks system events and errors
Windows Error Reporting – Reports errors to Microsoft
Cryptographic Services – Provides encryption capabilities

In total, svchost.exe can host upwards of 70 different system services. By grouping multiple services into one svchost.exe process, Windows conserves system resources.

Svchost runs as multiple instances, each hosting a subset of Windows services. All instances are located in %SystemRoot%\System32 and signed by Microsoft.

Normal Behavior for SvcHost.exe

When functioning properly, svchost.exe should exhibit this behavior:

Regular multiple instances – It’s normal to see many svchost.exe entries running, each hosting specific services.
Low resource usage – Svchost processes have a small footprint, only using resources for hosted services.
No weird child processes – Legit svchosts only spawn OS service related processes.
Static file locations – Svchost only runs from System32 or the SysWOW64 folder for 32-bit systems.
No direct network calls – The services it hosts may connect outwards, but core svchost makes no network calls directly.

As long as svchost.exe instances align with these parameters, they are legitimate and no cause for concern.

How Malware Abuses SvcHost.exe

Cybercriminals often target svchost.exe for malware impersonation because of its common presence and high privileges. Tactics include:

1. Mimicry

Malware authors name executables svchost.exe and install them in the system folders. This makes them appear legitimate and blend into the crowd of real svchost entries.

2. Service Hijacking

Some malware hijacks existing svchost-hosted services by registering themselves as a service. This grants them the same trusted execution context as critical system services.

4. Privilege Escalation

Svchost runs with SYSTEM privileges, enabling full access to the OS. By impersonating it, malware inherits powerful permissions to bypass restrictions.

5. Stealth

Blending in as one of numerous svchost instances allows malware to operate discreetly, circumventing detection. Malware svchosts are sometimes hidden entirely from task managers.

Once embedded, some things malicious svchosts may do:

Log keystrokes and steal data
Download more malware
Deploy ransomware across files
Abuse services like Windows Update for attacks
Disable security tools
Allow remote attackers access to the system

The high privileges gained allows malware to carry out these tasks while avoiding limits placed on normal software.

How to Spot Malicious SvcHost.exe

While sneaky, fake svchosts do exhibit telltale traits that can reveal their true nature:

1. Check Install Location

Verify svchost.exe instances are only located in %SystemRoot%\System32 or %SystemRoot%\SysWOW64. Other locations indicate an imposter.

2. Inspect Process Properties

Use Process Explorer to view detailed properties on suspect svchosts, like hosted services, command line, parent process, etc. Anything unusual is a red flag.

3. Verify Digital Signature

Real svchost.exe is digitally signed by Microsoft. Bogus ones often lack a legitimate signature.

4. Monitor Resource Usage

Check CPU, memory and disk usage for outliers. Malicious svchosts often consume more resources than the real ones.

5. Examine Network Traffic

Inspect traffic with Wireshark – svchost itself shouldn’t connect outwards at all. Any direct network calls are sure signs of malware.

6. Check Service Registry Entries

Malware svchosts sometimes add suspect service names to the registry that don’t match any legitimate Windows service.

Removing Malicious SvcHost.exe

This malware removal guide may appear overwhelming due to the number of steps and numerous programs that are being used. We have only written it this way to provide clear, detailed, and easy-to-understand instructions that anyone can use to remove malware for free.
Please perform all the steps in the correct order. If you have any questions or doubts at any point, stop and ask for our assistance.

To remove the SvcHost.exe Trojan and other malware from your computer, follow these steps:

STEP 1: Use Rkill to terminate malicious processes
STEP 2: Uninstall malicious programs from Windows
STEP 3: Reset browsers back to default settings
STEP 4: Use Malwarebytes to remove Trojans and Unwanted Programs
STEP 5: Use HitmanPro to remove Rootkits and other Malware
STEP 6: Use AdwCleaner to remove Malicious Browser Policies and Adware
STEP 7: Perform a final check with ESET Online Scanner
STEP 8: Run the System File Checker (SFC) tool
STEP 9: Run the Disk Check tool

STEP 1: Use Rkill to terminate malicious processes

In this first step, we will download and run Rkill to terminate malicious processes that may be running on your computer.

RKill is a program that was developed at BleepingComputer.com that attempts to terminate known malware processes so that your normal security software can then run and clean your computer of infections. When RKill runs it will kill malware processes and then removes incorrect executable associations and fixes policies that stop us from using certain tools.

Download Rkill.

You can download RKill to your computer from the below link. When at the download page, click on the Download Now button labeled iExplore.exe. We are downloading a renamed version of Rkill (iExplore.exe) because some malware will not allow processes to run unless they have a certain filename.

RKillStops malware processes so other tools can run
Download RKillOpens the BleepingComputer download page in a new tab.
Run RKill.

After downloading, double-click the iExplore.exe icon to kill malicious processes. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
The program may take some time to search for and end various malware programs.

When it is finished, the black window will close automatically and a log file will open. Do not restart your computer. Proceed to the next step in this guide.

STEP 2: Uninstall malicious programs from Windows

In this second step, we will manually check if any unknown or malicious programs are installed on the computer. Sometimes adware and browser hijackers can have a usable Uninstall entry that can be used to remove them.

Open the Settings app

Press Windows + I on your keyboard to open Settings. Alternatively, right-click the Start button and select “Settings” from the menu.
Go to “Installed apps”

In the Settings window, click “Apps” in the sidebar, then select “Installed apps“.
Find and uninstall the malicious program

Scroll through the list of installed apps and look for anything suspicious — a program you don’t remember installing, or one with a strange or generic name.
Quick tip: click “Sort by” and choose “Date installed“. Malware is usually one of the most recently installed programs, so it will appear near the top.
When you find the malicious program, click the three dots next to it and select “Uninstall“.

Didn’t find any suspicious programs? That’s fine — not all infections install visible apps. Just continue with the next step in this guide.
Complete the uninstall

Confirm by clicking Uninstall in the message box, then follow the remaining prompts.
Read each prompt carefully — some malicious programs use confusing wording or pre-ticked boxes hoping you’ll click through without looking.

Windows 10 reached the end of support on October 14, 2025, so it no longer gets regular security updates. If your PC can run it, upgrade to Windows 11. If it can’t, enroll in Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates program.

Open the Settings app

Press Windows + I on your keyboard to open Settings. Alternatively, click the Start button on the taskbar and select “Settings” (the gear icon).
Click on “Apps”

In the “Windows Settings” window, click “Apps“. The “Apps & Features” section should open by default — if it doesn’t, select it from the list on the left.
Find and uninstall the malicious program

Scroll through the list of installed apps and look for anything suspicious — a program you don’t remember installing, or one with a strange or generic name.
Quick tip: click “Sort by” and choose “Install date“. Malware is usually one of the most recently installed programs, so it will appear near the top.
When you find the malicious program, click on it and select “Uninstall“.

Didn’t find any suspicious programs? That’s fine — not all infections install visible apps. Just continue with the next step in this guide.
Complete the uninstall

Confirm by clicking Uninstall in the message box, then follow the remaining prompts.
Read each prompt carefully — some malicious programs use confusing wording or pre-ticked boxes hoping you’ll click through without looking.

Is a stubborn program refusing to uninstall? Use Revo Uninstaller to force-remove it completely, including leftover files and registry entries.

With the malicious programs removed, you’re ready for the next step in this guide.

STEP 3: Reset browsers back to default settings

In this step, we will remove spam notifications, malicious extensions, and change to default any settings that might have been changed by malware.
Please note that a Chrome or Edge reset turns off all your extensions, and a Firefox refresh removes them. Your bookmarks and favorites stay intact. For each browser that you have installed on your computer, please click on the browsers tab below and follow the displayed steps to reset that browser.

Reset Chrome for Windows to default settings

We will now reset your Chrome browser settings to their original defaults. This will reset your startup page, new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs. It will also disable all extensions and clear temporary data like cookies. Your favorites, history, and saved passwords will not be cleared.

Open the Chrome menu
Open Google Chrome and click the three-dot (⋮) icon in the top-right corner.
Open Chrome Settings
Select Settings from the Chrome menu.
Select “Reset settings”
Look at the menu on the left side of the Settings page. Scroll down and click Reset settings.
Restore Chrome’s original settings
Click Restore settings to their original defaults.
Confirm the Chrome reset
A confirmation window will appear. Click Reset settings.
This will:
- Restore the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page
- Reset startup pages and pinned tabs
- Reset site permissions, such as notifications and pop-ups
- Disable installed extensions
- Clear temporary cookies and website data
Don’t worry: Chrome will not delete your bookmarks, browsing history, or saved passwords. If you’re signed in to Chrome, the reset applies on all devices where you’re signed in.
Restart Chrome and perform a test search. If your searches now open normally in Google, you can stop here.
If searches are still redirected through shady domains complete the additional step below.
Remove persistent search hijacker data
Only complete this step if the redirect continues after resetting Chrome.
Some browser hijackers hide inside Chrome’s local search-engine database. A standard Chrome reset may not remove this database, which is why searches can continue to pass through shady sites.
The following procedure creates a backup of the affected database and allows Chrome to build a new, clean version. This is safer and less disruptive than deleting the entire Chrome profile.
First, prevent Chrome Sync from restoring the hijacked settings:
1. Open a new Chrome tab.
2. Copy the following address, paste it into Chrome’s address bar, and press Enter:
```
chrome://settings/syncSetup/advanced
```
3. Under Manage what you sync, select Customize sync.
4. Turn off Settings and Extensions.
5. You can leave Bookmarks and Passwords enabled so your important data remains synchronized.
Note: Some newer Chrome versions may automatically redirect this address to the Google Account settings page. If that happens, locate the list of synchronized Chrome data and turn off Settings and Extensions there.
Now save anything you are working on and close every Chrome window.
Run the cleanup command:
1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Type PowerShell.
3. Open Windows PowerShell. Administrator access is not required.
4. Copy the entire command shown below.
5. Right-click inside the PowerShell window to paste the command, then press Enter.
6. If Windows warns you about pasting multiple lines, select the option to continue.
```
$stamp = Get-Date -Format "yyyyMMdd-HHmmss"

Get-Process chrome -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
 Stop-Process -Force

$root = "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Google\Chrome\User Data"

if (Test-Path $root) {
 $profiles = Get-ChildItem $root -Directory |
 Where-Object {
 $_.Name -eq "Default" -or
 $_.Name -match "^Profile \d+$"
 }

 foreach ($profile in $profiles) {
 foreach ($name in @(
 "Web Data",
 "Web Data-journal",
 "Web Data-wal",
 "Web Data-shm"
 )) {
 $file = Join-Path $profile.FullName $name

 if (Test-Path $file) {
 $backup = "$file.search-hijacker-backup-$stamp"
 Move-Item -LiteralPath $file -Destination $backup
 Write-Host "Backup created: $backup"
 }
 }
 }
}

Write-Host ""
Write-Host "Chrome search data has been cleaned."
Write-Host "You can now reopen Chrome."
```
Wait until PowerShell displays the following message:
```
Chrome search data has been cleaned.
You can now reopen Chrome.
```
Close PowerShell and reopen Google Chrome. Chrome will automatically create a clean search database for every local profile.
Next, copy the following address, paste it into Chrome’s address bar, and press Enter:
```
chrome://settings/searchEngines
```
Make sure Google is selected as the default search engine. Test several searches from the address bar and confirm that they no longer pass through shady search engines.
Your important Chrome data is protected: the PowerShell cleanup does not remove bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history, cookies, or installed extensions. However, it may reset locally stored Autofill addresses, payment cards saved only on this computer, and form suggestions.
The original search database is not deleted. PowerShell renames it and adds search-hijacker-backup to its filename so it can be recovered if necessary.
Keep Settings and Extensions synchronization disabled while testing Chrome. Do not enable every extension at once. Enable only the extensions you recognize, one at a time, and test Chrome after each one.
If the redirect returns after enabling a particular extension, remove that extension immediately.

Reset Firefox for Windows to default settings

We will now reset your Firefox browser settings to their default. The reset feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks, passwords, web form auto-fill information, browsing history, and open tabs.

Open the Firefox menu and click “Help and Report”

Click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner of Firefox to open the main menu, then select “Help and Report“.
Click “More troubleshooting information”

In the Help and Report menu, click “More troubleshooting information“.
Click “Refresh Firefox”

On the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click the “Refresh Firefox” button in the “Give Firefox a tune up” box in the top-right area of the page.
Confirm the refresh

In the confirmation window, click “Refresh Firefox” again. This removes extensions, themes, and customized settings — the usual hiding places for browser hijackers — while keeping your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords safe.
Click “Finish”

Firefox will close, reset itself to default settings, and reopen with a window listing the information that was restored. Click “Finish“. Then test Firefox before you add back any extensions.

About the “Old Firefox Data” folder: Firefox saves a copy of your old profile on your desktop. If something you need is missing after the reset, you can recover it from this folder. Otherwise, delete the folder — it contains sensitive data like passwords and cookies, and may also still hold the malicious files you just removed.

Reset Microsoft Edge to default settings

We will now reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings to their default. This will reset your startup page, new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs. It will also disable all extensions and clear temporary data like cookies. Your favorites, history, and saved passwords will not be cleared.

Updated for Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 and Windows 11 — July 2026.

Open the Edge menu and click “Settings”

Open Microsoft Edge. In the top-right corner, click the three-dot (…) icon, then click Settings.
Prevent the unwanted settings from returning through Edge Sync

If you are signed in to Microsoft Edge, a bad setting or extension may be stored in your Microsoft account and return after the reset.

Copy the following address, paste it into the Edge address bar, and press Enter:
```
edge://settings/profiles/sync
```
On the Sync page, turn off these two options:
- Settings
- Extensions
You can leave Favorites and Passwords turned on.

If Edge says that sync is already off, simply continue to the next step.

Important: Edge Sync settings are separate for each profile. If you use more than one Edge profile, switch to each affected profile and repeat this step.

You do not need to sign out of your Microsoft account or delete the Edge profile.
Open “Reset settings”

In the left sidebar, click Reset settings.

You can also open the reset page directly. Copy the following address, paste it into the Edge address bar, and press Enter:
```
edge://settings/reset
```
Click “Restore settings to their default values”

Click Restore settings to their default values.
Confirm the reset

In the confirmation dialog, click Reset.

This resets the startup page, new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs. It also disables all extensions and clears temporary site data, such as cookies.

Don’t worry: your favorites, browsing history, and saved passwords will not be deleted.
Check your extensions before turning them back on

Copy the following address, paste it into the Edge address bar, and press Enter:
```
edge://extensions
```
Remove any extension you do not recognize or no longer use. Pay particular attention to extensions related to search, coupons, shopping, PDF conversion, browser protection, new tabs, or video downloading.

Do not turn all extensions back on at the same time. Enable only the extensions you recognize and trust.
Select a trusted search engine

Copy the following address, paste it into the Edge address bar, and press Enter:
```
edge://settings/searchEngines
```
Select Bing, Google, DuckDuckGo, or another search provider you trust and make it the default. This address opens the list of search engines; the default is set one page back, on Address bar and search, under Search engine used in the address bar.

Remove any unknown search engines from the list, especially providers with strange names or addresses that you did not add yourself: click More actions (…) next to the engine and remove it.

Restart Edge and perform a search from the address bar. If searches are no longer redirected, you can stop here.

If the redirect remains, clean the corrupted search data without deleting the Edge profile

Use this additional step only if Edge continues to redirect searches after the normal reset.

This command cleans the search-engine database from every local Edge profile while keeping your favorites, saved passwords, browsing history, cookies, and profiles.

Before continuing: save anything you are working on because the command will close Microsoft Edge.

Open the Windows Start menu.
Type PowerShell.
Open Windows PowerShell. Administrator access is not required.
Copy the entire command below.
Paste it into PowerShell and press Enter.

$stamp = Get-Date -Format "yyyyMMdd-HHmmss"
$root = Join-Path $env:LOCALAPPDATA "Microsoft\Edge\User Data"

Get-Process -Name msedge -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
    Stop-Process -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

Start-Sleep -Seconds 2

if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $root)) {
    Write-Host "The Microsoft Edge profile folder was not found:"
    Write-Host $root
    return
}

$profiles = Get-ChildItem -LiteralPath $root -Directory |
    Where-Object {
        $_.Name -eq "Default" -or
        $_.Name -match "^Profile \d+$"
    }

$movedFiles = 0

foreach ($profile in $profiles) {
    foreach ($name in @(
        "Web Data",
        "Web Data-journal",
        "Web Data-wal",
        "Web Data-shm"
    )) {
        $file = Join-Path $profile.FullName $name

        if (Test-Path -LiteralPath $file) {
            $backup = "$file.search-reset-backup-$stamp"

            try {
                Move-Item -LiteralPath $file -Destination $backup -ErrorAction Stop
                Write-Host "Cleaned: $($profile.Name)\$name"
                $movedFiles++
            }
            catch {
                Write-Warning "Could not clean: $file"
            }
        }
    }
}

Write-Host ""

if ($movedFiles -gt 0) {
    Write-Host "Microsoft Edge search data has been cleaned." -ForegroundColor Green
    Write-Host "You can now reopen Microsoft Edge."
}
else {
    Write-Host "No Edge search database files were found." -ForegroundColor Yellow
}

The command does not permanently delete the original files. It renames them as backup files, and Edge creates a clean search database when it starts again.

Note: this additional cleanup may also reset saved form-fill suggestions, saved addresses, payment cards saved only on this computer, and manually added search engines. It does not delete favorites, passwords, or browsing history.

Reopen Edge and test the browser

Open Microsoft Edge again, visit edge://settings/searchEngines, and select your preferred search engine (one page back, on Address bar and search, under Search engine used in the address bar).

Perform several searches from the address bar to confirm that the redirect is gone.

Keep synchronization for Settings and Extensions turned off until you are certain that the computer and extensions are clean. If you enable them again, turn them on one at a time and test Edge after each change.
If Edge still redirects your searches

Open edge://policy. If this is your personal computer and Edge displays unknown policies such as ExtensionInstallForcelist or DefaultSearchProvider, the hijacker may be installed outside the browser profile.

In that situation, continue with the next malware-removal steps and run a complete antivirus scan. If the computer belongs to a company or school, contact its IT administrator before changing any policies.

STEP 4: Use Malwarebytes to remove Trojans and Unwanted Programs

In this next step, we will we will install Malwarebytes to scan and remove any infections, adware, or potentially unwanted programs that may be present on your computer.

Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and trusted anti-malware tools for Windows — and it’s completely free for removing infections. It catches threats that many antivirus programs miss, including adware, browser hijackers, and trojans. Follow the steps below to scan your PC and remove what Malwarebytes finds.

Download Malwarebytes

Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows from the official source. The free version is all you need — it will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software at no cost.

Malwarebytes Free for WindowsScans and removes malware at no cost
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for Windows 11 and 10. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium
Install Malwarebytes

When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the MBSetup file. If Windows shows a User Account Control pop-up, click “Yes” to allow the installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes

The setup wizard will walk you through a few quick screens:
- Choose where you’re installing the program — “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” — then click Next.
- Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.
- When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.
- On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.
Optional: Check for rootkits with a Custom Scan

You don’t need to change any settings for a normal scan. The standard Threat Scan in the next step is enough for most problems, so you can go straight to it.

If you also want to check for rootkits, use a Custom Scan. In current versions of Malwarebytes, rootkit scanning is only available there:
1. On the Scanner tile, click the three-dot menu and select Advanced Scan.
2. Choose Custom Scan. In its options, check Scan for rootkits.
3. Select your system drive (usually C:\) as the location to scan, then start the scan. It takes longer than a Threat Scan.
4. When it finishes, review and quarantine the results as described in the steps below.
Rootkit scanning isn’t available on Windows devices with ARM processors.
Start the Scan

Click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.
Wait for the Scan to Finish

The scan checks your entire system for browser hijackers and other malicious programs, so it can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on your computer. Feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
Quarantine the Detected Threats

When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found — malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all of them at once.

Malwarebytes will now remove the malicious files and registry entries and move them safely into quarantine.
Restart Your Computer

Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot. If Malwarebytes asks you to restart, click Yes. Once you’re logged back in, Malwarebytes has finished removing the threats it found.

STEP 5: Use HitmanPro to remove Rootkits and other Malware

In this fifth step, while the computer is in normal back, we will download and run a scan with HitmanPro to remove Trojans, rootkits, and other malicious programs.

HitmanPro is a second-opinion scanner — it’s designed to catch what your main antivirus might have missed. Instead of relying on a single detection engine, it checks the behavior of files in the locations where malware usually hides. Anything suspicious is checked online, where it’s analyzed by several antivirus engines in HitmanPro’s Scan Cloud.

Good news: scanning is completely free, with no limits. You only need a license when it’s time to remove what was found — and even then, you can activate a free one-time 30-day trial to remove what it finds at no cost. The trial works once per computer. After that, removal needs a paid license, and the purchase screen shows the current price.

Download HitmanPro

Click the button below to download HitmanPro. Remember — the scan is free, so you have nothing to lose by checking your PC.

HitmanProSecond-opinion malware scanner from Sophos
Download HitmanProFree scan. Removing threats needs the free 30-day trial. Opens the official HitmanPro page in a new tab.
Install HitmanPro

When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the file “hitmanpro_x64.exe”. (On 32-bit Windows 10, the file is named “hitmanpro.exe”.)

If a User Account Control pop-up asks whether HitmanPro can make changes to your device, click “Yes” to continue.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts

On the HitmanPro start screen, click “Next” to begin the system scan. No lengthy setup required — it goes straight to work.
Wait for the Scan to Finish

HitmanPro will now check your computer for malicious programs. This usually takes just a few minutes thanks to its cloud-based scanning.
Review the Results and Click “Next”

When the scan is done, HitmanPro will show you everything it found. Click “Next” to remove the detected threats.
Click “Activate Free License”

To remove the malicious files, click the “Activate free license” button. This starts your free 30-day trial — no payment details needed — and unlocks the full cleanup.

When the removal is complete, HitmanPro will show a summary of everything it cleaned. Click Next, then click Reboot if prompted. If there’s no reboot prompt, click Close. Then check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they come back, save the HitmanPro log and ask for help in our forum.

STEP 6: Use AdwCleaner to remove Malicious Browser Policies and Adware

In this next step, we will use AdwCleaner to remove malicious browser policies and unwanted browser extensions from your computer.

AdwCleaner is a free on-demand scanner that specializes in adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted toolbars — the exact threats that mainstream antivirus programs often miss. It also includes tools that repair the damage malware leaves behind, like hijacked browser settings and malicious policies. It’s a quick scan that’s well worth running.

Download AdwCleaner

Click the button below to download AdwCleaner — it’s free, portable, and requires no installation.

Malwarebytes AdwCleanerRemoves adware and unwanted programs at no cost
Download AdwCleanerOpens the official download page in a new tab.
Run AdwCleaner

Open your Downloads folder and double-click the file named “adwcleaner.exe“. There’s no installation — the program starts right away.

If Windows asks whether you want to allow AdwCleaner to run, click “Yes“. When the license agreement appears, click I agree to continue.
Leave “Reset Chrome policies” off unless you need it

AdwCleaner can reset Chrome policies, the settings that malware sometimes uses to lock your browser so you can’t change it back. This option removes every Chrome policy, including legitimate ones set by an employer, a school, or parental-control software, so leave it off for a normal scan.

AdwCleaner applies this option only if you run Basic Repair at the end of the cleanup. Malwarebytes advises running Basic Repair only when a support agent asks you to, and it also runs every other repair action that is turned on in the same list. If this is your own personal PC and chrome://policy in Chrome lists policies you didn’t set, ask for help in our forum instead. On a work or school computer, ask the IT administrator.
Start the Scan

Click “Dashboard” on the left side of the window, then click the “Scan Now” button.
Wait for the Scan to Finish

AdwCleaner will now check your computer for adware and other malware. This usually takes only a few minutes — it’s one of the fastest scanners around.
Quarantine the Detected Threats

When the scan finishes, AdwCleaner lists everything it found. Review the list and uncheck any program you installed on purpose and want to keep, then click Next. If AdwCleaner also found preinstalled software, it shows that list next. Review it the same way, then click “Quarantine“. Older versions show the Quarantine button on the first list, as in the image below.
Click “Continue” to Finish the Cleanup

Save any open work first — AdwCleaner needs to close your open programs before it can clean. When you’re ready, click the “Continue” button.

AdwCleaner will now move the selected items to quarantine. If it asks you to restart your PC, allow it. When you’re back in Windows, AdwCleaner may offer a Basic Repair. Click Skip Basic Repair. Malwarebytes recommends running Basic Repair only when a support agent asks you to. Then check whether the problems you noticed have stopped.

STEP 7: Perform a final check with ESET Online Scanner

This step involves installing and running a scan with ESET Online Scanner to check for any additional malicious programs that may be installed on the computer..

ESET Online Scanner is a free second-opinion scanner that performs a deep, full-system check for viruses, trojans, rootkits, and other malware. We use it as the final step because it’s thorough and can catch threats the earlier scans missed. A clean result is a good sign, but no scanner can guarantee that a computer is malware-free.

Download ESET Online Scanner

Click the button below to download ESET Online Scanner.

ESET Online ScannerFree one-time malware scan from ESET
Download ESET Online ScannerOpens the official download page in a new tab.
Run the Installer

When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click “esetonlinescanner.exe“.
Install ESET Online Scanner

On the start screen, select your language from the drop-down menu and click Get started.

On the Terms of use screen, click Accept.

Choose your preferences for the Customer Experience Improvement Program and the Detection feedback system (either choice is fine), then click Continue.
Start a Full Scan

Click Full Scan — this checks your entire computer, not just the common hiding spots.

Select Enable for Detection of Potentially Unwanted Applications — this lets ESET catch adware and bundled junk programs, not just viruses. Then click Start scan.
Wait for the Scan to Finish

ESET will now check every file on your computer. Because it’s a full scan, this can take a while — often an hour or more, depending on how much data you have. Leave it running in the background and check on it from time to time.
Review the Results

When the scan completes, the Found and resolved detections screen appears. Detected threats are usually cleaned and quarantined automatically. Click View detailed results to see exactly what was removed, and ask for help in our forum if any item could not be cleaned.

If ESET found nothing, restart your computer and check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they continue, ask for help in our forum.

STEP 8: Run the System File Checker (SFC) tool

In this step, we will use System File Checker (SFC) tool to detect and repair files that may have been corrupted by malware.

The SFC tool scans all protected system files on your computer and replaces any files that are corrupt or damaged with a cached copy that is stored in a compressed folder at %WinDir%\System32\dllcache. By running the SFC tool, you can help ensure that your system is functioning properly and fix any issues.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

To open the Command Prompt as an administrator in Windows, type “cmd” in the search bar and then right-click on the Command Prompt result and select “Run as administrator” as shown in the image below.

A User Account Control (UAC) prompt will appear asking for permission to allow the program to run. Click “Yes”.
Type “sfc /scannow”.

You will now be presented with a black screen called the ‘Administrator: Command Prompt’. On this screen, type “sfc /scannow” to scan for and repair any corrupt system files.
Restart your computer.

Restart your computer if sfc /scannow repaired files. System File Checker may or may not prompt you to restart but even if it doesn’t, you should restart anyway.
Run again sfc /scannow.

Run again sfc /scannow to check if the files were repaired.

STEP 9: Run the Disk Check tool

As a final step, we will utilize the Disk Check tool, commonly referred to as “chkdsk,” to identify and resolve any issues that were caused by malware.

This tool checks your hard disk for errors and can fix any issues it finds. To use the Disk Check tool, you will need to open the command prompt and enter the “chkdsk” command followed by the drive letter (e.g., “chkdsk C:”). You can also add the “/f” flag to the command to instruct the tool to fix any errors it finds. By running the Disk Check tool, you can help ensure that your hard disk is functioning properly and fix any issues that may be causing high disk usage.”

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
To open the Command Prompt as an administrator in Windows, type “cmd” in the search bar and then right-click on the Command Prompt result and select “Run as administrator” as shown in the image below. A User Account Control (UAC) prompt will appear asking for permission to allow the program to run. Click “Yes”.
Type “chkdsk /f /r”
You will now be presented with a black screen called the ‘Administrator: Command Prompt’. On this screen, type “chkdsk /f /r” to repair any errors on your hard drive.
Restart your computer
The Disk Check tool may require you to restart your computer in order to complete the scan and repair process. Type “Y” and click on Enter, then restart the computer. A CHKDSK command can take a long time, especially when performed on larger drives. Once it’s done, however, it will present a summary of results including total disk space, byte allocation, and, most importantly, any errors that were found and corrected.

Your computer should now be free of the SvcHost.exe Trojan and other malware.

Keep your PC protectedStop the next infection before it starts

If your antivirus let this threat through, it may not be enough on its own. Malwarebytes Premium adds real-time protection that blocks malware, ransomware, and malicious websites before they can infect your computer.See Malwarebytes Premium

If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:

Run a computer scan with ESET Online Scanner
Ask for help in our Windows Malware Removal Help & Support forum.

The Bottom Line

Svchost.exe allows Windows to efficiently handle large groups of integral system services. But this importance also means malware authors are eager to exploit it.

While troubling, the patterns to recognize malicious svchosts masquerading as the real ones are clear. Using the investigative and removal techniques outlined here, you can keep this crucial system file working for you, not against you.

By remaining vigilant and leveraging the right tools, most users can defend against malware abusing this vital process. But if problems point to a deeper kernel level infection, the Microsoft cavalry has your back.

Stay secure out there, keep watch for shady svchosts, and think twice before trusting a process, even fundamental system ones! Proper care means no Windows component needs to undermine your computer’s security.

Make your next click a safer one.

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Join the discussion

25 comments

Share your experience or ask a question about this article.

S
Sam9 years ago
Yeah its legit if you find it in System32 or System64 depends if your pc is 64-bit or 32-bit but i had it in Sys64Win

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1. StelianTeam3 months ago
  In reply to Sam
  Careful with that as a rule, because it is close to being the opposite of the truth – location is not evidence of legitimacy, and malware puts itself in system folders precisely because people assume it is.
  
  A couple of corrections that matter if anyone is going to use this. The folders are C:\Windows\System32 and C:\Windows\SysWOW64, and the naming is counter-intuitive: on a 64-bit version of Windows, System32 holds the 64-bit files and SysWOW64 holds the 32-bit ones. There is no Sys64Win folder, so if you saw something under a name like that, it was not a Windows system directory at all – which is itself a warning sign.
  
  What actually tells you whether a file is genuine: right-click, Properties, Digital Signatures, and check that it is signed by Microsoft Windows and that the signature validates. Look at the file’s location and its exact spelling, since a common trick is a near-identical name such as svch0st.exe or rundII32.exe with capital i’s replacing l’s. In Task Manager, right-click the process and choose Open file location to see where it is really running from – many pieces of malware appear under a legitimate-looking name while running from a temp or user folder. And if you want a second opinion, upload the file to VirusTotal.
  
  So the honest version of your advice would be: files in System32 or SysWOW64 with a valid Microsoft signature are almost always fine, and everything else needs checking regardless of the folder it sits in.
  
  Reply Report
stripedspot10 years ago
i only have 2 viruses I got rid ofthem With out malwarebytes or hitman PRO i used windows defender

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Vistaprime11 years ago
Hi, HAVE ABOUT 7 OR 8 instances of svchosts and they are jamming my system. is that normal? I try to right click but I am in XP and there’s no open file option. I downloaded ESET Poweliks Cleaner. It found nothing and neither did roguekiller and hitmanpro.

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Wally11 years ago
svchost jumps to 2+ Gb RAM and locks up my system

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TGMAM :))11 years ago
Thanks. Hope it to work…….

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Blade Va Earthia11 years ago
Hi,
I have a slight problem. As I was going through the steps (which were working greatly, thank you) at step four when I clicked on the link you gave, it said it could not find the page. Is there an alternate download link I should use or should I just skip that step? Please help.

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F
Franklin Sternberg11 years ago
Good morning, I need your help and assistance. I am not a computer versatile user, however, as a IT immigrant, I had to be a self taught person. My computer is infected with svchost.exe malware, and albeit having proceeded 4 times with all the above steps, Avast keeps on alerting the malware existance. How can I remove this nasty malware/virus? Pls bear in mind that I shall need very detailed steps. Many thanks in advance.

Reply Report
1. Stelian Pilici11 years ago
  In reply to Franklin Sternberg
  Hello Franklin,
  Could you please start a thread in our Malware Removal Assistance forum : http://malwaretips.com/forums/malware-removal-assistance.10/
  – as we need some logs from your system to see what’s going on!
  
  Reply Report
Stelian Pilici11 years ago
Hello SE,
Can you please start a thread in our Malware Removal Support forum: http://malwaretips.com/forums/malware-removal-assistance.10/

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abdo11 years ago
Malwarebytes has detected the virus and removed it but it keeps coming back especially after restarting and my CPU usage reaches 100% again, i don’t know why people are happy about anti virus/malware stuff, i think they’re all useless, i suffered from iexplorer.exe virus once and tried all popular anti-virus software’s but the virus kicked their asses and i was able to remove it manually after lots of attempts. My advice is stay away from any suspicious sites or downloads and you will not need any anti-sh*t.

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dannydude12 years ago
I used step 1, which didn’t work, but step 2 worked for about an hour picking out 2,008 objects! Not only did it get rid of svchost, it fixed other annoying viruses like websteroids, search conduit, and illivid! Thank you so much! Every thing is fixed on my PC and finally, my computer is lightning fast!

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Shashwat Mahajan12 years ago
thanks buddy. really helped

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Viswas12 years ago
all the steps are smooth like butter..really effective and useful info…thanx alot…

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krnbrd12 years ago
Hello Stelian. Why wouldn’t I choose to delete rather than quarantine the infected files? Thank you so much!

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D
dovski12 years ago
is it a step by step procedure or need to choose what apps we want to use?

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1. Stelian Pilici12 years ago
  In reply to dovski
  Hello,
  You should follow all the steps in the correct order, if you cannot do a step, then go ahead with the other. If you need help, just let me know!!
  
  Reply Report
M
Marius Alexandru12 years ago
Salut Stelian,acum incerc ghidul tau,deoarece mereu cand deschid un program imi cere acordul shvchost.exe. Daca dupa acest ghid,problema mea tot nu este rezolvata sau mai apar alte probleme,te rog,ma poti ajuta?tot ce am gasit pe net era cu bani,de 3 ore caut ceva sa ma ajute si tu esti momentan singura mea solutie. Multumesc anticipat.

Reply Report
1. Stelian Pilici12 years ago
  In reply to Marius Alexandru
  Salut Marius,
  Da, normal ca te ajut. Incearca ghidul si vezi daca iti rezolva problema. Daca nu, te rog sa creezi un thread in forumul asta: http://malwaretips.com/forums/malware-removal-assistance.10/
  
  Salut si noroc!
  
  Reply Report
haylan12 years ago
Thanks for the help.

I was having a lot of trubble getting svchost.exe off this laptop. After the first three steps it was smooth sailing for me. I followed all 8 steps and now this laptop is completely clean

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haylan12 years ago
Thanks for the help.

I was having a lot of trubble getting svchost.exe off this laptop. After the first three steps it was smooth sailing for me. I followed all 8 steps and now this laptop is completely clean

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David12 years ago
Hi,

Thanks for your nice guide. I found your pages via googling “Explorer.exe might be using svchost.exe to connect to the Internet”. So my case is that I found one of svchost.exe occupies memory from 400MB–1.7GB,CPU usage of 20% and some network traffic. Unlike other svchost.exe whoes parent process are service.exe, this svchost.exe ‘s parent is explorer.exe instead. Is your guide still suitable in this case?

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Damien12 years ago
Thank you so much for this guide

Malware bytes found lots of malware/trojans that my Panda Antivirus Pro 2015 could only detect but not entirely remove it without the shit constantly coming back

with best regards

Damien J – from Sweden

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ketan12 years ago
really nice work man,hats off to you
it worked
also I shared link on facebook also
thanks

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Written by

Stelian

Stelian is a malware and virus removal expert with more than 15 years of experience. Stelian leads malware analysis and removal at MalwareTips, writes the step-by-step removal guides and helps readers recognize and avoid online scams.

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Unmasking Svchost.exe – Is It Legit or Malware in Disguise?