What is Svchost.exe?

Svchost.exe is a process on your computer that hosts, or contains, other individual services that Windows uses to perform various functions. For example, Windows Defender uses a service that is hosted by a svchost.exe process.

There can be multiple instances of svchost.exe running on your computer, with each instance containing different services. One instance of svchost.exe might host a single service for a program, and another instance might host several services related to Windows. You can use Task Manager to view which services are running under each instance of svchost.exe.

 Source:http://windows.microsoft.com/en-au/windows-vista/what-is-svchost-exe

See what services are running Svchost.exe?

You can easily see which services are using the Svchost.exe file and here are two ways shown below.

Find Services that are running Svchost.exe through TaskManager

1. Open Windows Task Manager, click Show all processes from all users.

2. Right-click one of the svchost.exe processes. See the screenshot below.

3. A menu will appear. Click on Go to service. Shown above.

4. You will be immediately flipped over to the services tab automatically and all the services using the svchost process will be highlighted.

Find Services that are running Svchost.exe through the CMD

If you like typing in commands then you can see which services are using the Svchost process through the windows command line. (CMD)

1. Simple go to the start menu at the bottom and type cmd into the search box.

2. Click on CMD in the menu to open.  

3. Type this command to see a list of services using svchost.

tasklist /svc

Could the Svchost.exe be a Virus?

Let’s face it, any file can be a virus. There have been known viruses that mimic this file name, especially as there are so many instances of it occurring in the processes list. What’s one more process going to do?

Windows stores this svchost.exe in the system32 directory so if you see this file located somewhere else on your computer then it definitely should be checked.

Can I remove the Svchost.exe file?

Svchost.exe is a system process that is needed for your Windows Operating System (OS) to work properly. It should not be removed.

courtesy: pc4tips.com