What Is Conhost.exe in Windows and Why Is It Running?

January 6, 2025 By Janne Smith No Comments 6 minutes

You’re not alone, Conhost.exe does sound like a virus by the name of it. But in reality, it isn’t. It’s an abbreviation of console window host that you might often see running on Windows 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. It bridges the gaps between the command-line applications and Windows graphical user interface (GUI).

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But, there’s still a lot more to know about what is Conhost.exe, what it does, the times it should run in the background and how to delete the Conhost.exe file. Keep reading to find out all!

What Is Conhost.exe?
What Does Conhost.exe Do
Is Conhost.exe a Virus?
How Many Conhost.exe Should Be Running?
Why Is Conhost.exe Using Too Much Memory?
How to Remove Conhost.exe From Windows 10?
Final Note

Note:The Conhost.exe is legit, however, a potential malware can disguise itself with this file name as well. But before that happens, we always recommend running antivirus checks and connecting to a reliable VPN, like FastestVPN, when browsing the web to avoid lingering cyber threats.

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What Is Conhost.exe?

Conhost.exe is an abbreviation for console window host, which is the server application for all Windows Console APIs. It’s responsible for controlling console windows, like PowerShell or Command Prompt.

Simply put, it bridges the communications between the console applications and the Windows graphical interface (GUI), enabling better interaction. As a recapitulation, you wouldn’t be able to move, drag, or resize the Command Prompt window, nor drag and drop files into it without Conhost.exe.

What Does Conhost.exe Do

Now that you know about What is Conhost.exe, here’s what it does. Conhost.exe is a significant component of the Windows interface, which aims to enhance the user experience when using the console applications. It also boosts system security by replacing the csrss.exe process (a system-level task) in managing the graphical elements of console windows. This way, it reduces the dependence on the highly privileged csrss.exe.

Conhost.exe may also interact with other Windows processes, like svchost.exe. For instance, while svchost.exe handles essential background services, it may rely on Conhost.exe to display command-line outputs or manage specific user commands during system operations.

Additionally, Conhost.exe enables modern features in Command Prompt, such as font and theme customization, which enhances both stability and user experience. Moreover, you can find Conhost.exe in “C:\Windows\System32” directory.

Is Conhost.exe a Virus?

By now you know what is Conhost.exe, and it isn’t a virus, but it’s possible to have a malware file in your computer that’s concealing its presence with Conhost.exe’s name. Due to this, we recommend always connecting to a reliable VPN when browsing the web, like FastestVPN, and running antivirus checks to ensure your device isn’t infected with a virus.

Moreover, as mentioned in the above section, Conhost.exe is present in the “C:\Windows\System32” directory. And, its location can also prove if Conhost.exe is a virus disguising itself. Overall, here are the 3 factors to check when verifying if Conhost.exe is a virus:

File location
Microsoft Windows Signature
File size

Simply, go to the task manager, search for Conhost.exe, and it should be in the directory mentioned above. Here’s how to verify it:

Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc on your keyboard to open Task Manager.
Navigate Details/Processes to find the Conhost.exe process.
Check the Description column on the far right. Ensure it says “Console Window Host.”
Right-click (or tap-and-hold) on the process > select “Open file location.”
A folder will open showing the Conhost.exe location.

Once you know the location of the Console Window Host in task manager, verify the Microsoft Windows Signature. Here’s how to do that:

Right-click on the Conhost.exe location folder.
Look for a Microsoft signature.
If there is one, the file is legit. However, if there isn’t a signature, then that might be a fake version.

How Many Conhost.exe Should Be Running?

Usually, only one Conhost process should be active at a time. However, if you have multiple console applications open, such as PowerShell or the Command Prompt, there could be several instances of Conhost running.

Each open console window creates a separate Conhost process to handle its graphical interface. And, it’s normal to see more than one Console Window Host in task manager if several console windows are open. However, a sudden or excessive increase in these processes might be a red flag, i.e., the presence of malware.

Why Is Conhost.exe Using Too Much Memory?

Generally, your computer running Console Window Host in Task Manager should take a maximum of 10 MB. However, if you notice Cohost.exe taking significant storage, then there’s a great chance of that being fake or malware in your computer. But, you can take a few additional steps, that we outlined in the above section. Verify that Conhost isn’t a virus, but if you notice anything suspicious, then it’s best that you delete the Console Window Host in task manager file.

How to Remove Conhost.exe From Windows 10?

After following the verification steps, if you believe that the Conhost file in your computer is malware, then it’s best to delete it. However, we recommend uploading the file on VirusTotal or any other reliable antivirus software to verify if the file is malicious.

Once you’ve verified and want to delete it, here’s how to remove Conhost.exe from Windows:

Install the Process Explorer and open it.
Find the Conhost.exe file and double-click on it to remove the file.
Navigate and go to the Image tab. Click on Kill Process > OK.
Once on the main screen, close the Process Explorer.

Now, you can manually delete the Console Window Host in task manager. Here’s how to do that:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Go to Details tab and find the suspicious Conhost process.
Right-click on the suspicious Conhost.exe > End Task.
If the file is still there, navigate its location.
Right-click on the file > Delete.

Once done, run an antivirus scan again to ensure that the system is clean from malware.

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Final Note

Despite what the name makes Conhost look like a virus, it’s an abbreviated version of the console window host, which is essential for a seamless user experience. However, you must always ensure that the Conhost file is located in its directory, takes ample storage, and has a Microsoft Verification Signature.

But if you notice any suspicious activities, then it’s best to remove the Conhost file from your computer. Moreover, we always recommend running antivirus scans and a VPN connection, like FastestVPN ,to ensure that your device is safe from any malware infection.