What, exactly, but in layman's term is "svchost.exe" that lurks in gangs in my processes?

Question

Sometimes I will end the one that is resident and taking up the most memory, but nothing apparent happens to my PC.

Yet, on occasion, I have ended this process and have the joy of windows telling me it'll go bang-and-bye-bye.

It all seems rather...arbitrary - but I know with PC's that can't be the case...

...or can it?

I run XP Home on a wreck of wires powered mainly by rubber bands and blind faith.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can enlighten me...

Answer 1

they are windows system processes and should be left alone
1) use a windows optimizer to remove system junk
http://bestofrest.blogspot.com/search/label/Windows%20Optimizer
2) here are some tips to speed up system
http://mypchelp.blogspot.com/2006/10/pc-running-slow.html

Answer 2

“Svchost.exe” is the file name for the generic Windows process called Service Host which resides in \Windows\System32\. Since it acts as a host, it can collect multiple services together and run them in a common environment. This results in a more efficient arrangement since it reduces boot time and system overhead by eliminating the need to run dozens of separate services, each in their own memory spaces. Different groups of Windows services have different requirements in terms of system access and security, which is why separate instances of svchost.exe are needed.

To understand this better, we need to leave Windows Task Manager for the moment and dig a little deeper into Windows by opening what is called a command window:

Click Start on the Windows taskbar, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type CMD, and then press ENTER.
at the C:\ prompt, type Tasklist /SVC, and then press ENTER

For more information visit the link

Answer 3

In basic terms it.s a process that controlls other processes (Windows Services) on your pc. There are a lot of little programs, um services and stuff that make up windows as a whole.

Go to Start -Run type cmd.
this should bring up dos
then type in Tasklist /SVC
You will see everything that is running in windows at that moment. it will alsho show you what svchost.exe is controlling.

see this link for more infor ->http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314056

FYI there is a current problem with Microsoft Updates that causes svchost.xe to run wild and bog down your PC. Not sure if you are experinceing that or not, but ry not to kill svchost.exe it could be running something verry important.

Answer 4

Svchost.exe is a Windows process - usually. It is essential to the proper operation of Windows XP (as you have noticed when it informed you it was shutting down). But sometimes a virus or spyware can have the name svchost.exe. If you have, say, 9 svchost.exe applications running, it's safe to say that one is a virus. What I would recommend is find a good process scanner, and then upload the results to a tech help website. I hope this helps!

Answer 5

The Svchost.exe file is located in the %SystemRoot%\System32 folder. At startup, Svchost.exe checks the services part of the registry to construct a list of services that it must load. Multiple instances of Svchost.exe can run at the same time. Each Svchost.exe session can contain a grouping of services. Therefore, separate services can run, depending on how and where Svchost.exe is started. This grouping of services permits better control and easier debugging.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314056

Answer 6

That's a legit host process in XP:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svchost

You should be worried with its variation w/ different spelling like svcchost.exe, etc. Those are really BAD (virus).