What does the mshta.exe file do?
The mshta.exe process is also known as Microsoft® HTML Application host or, as the case may be, ab0bb9e3b144cac60965e5440a4ee583 and is a part of Internet Explorer or, as the case may be, Microsoft Windows Operating System. This software is produced by Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) or, as the case may be, SWIS. An outdated or faulty version of mshta.exe can cause problems for your computer, ranging from slowness to error messages like these:
- Microsoft HTML Application host has stopped working. Windows is checking for a solution to the problem... (Windows 11, 10, 7)
- Microsoft HTML Application host has stopped working. A problem caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close the program and notify you if a solution is available. (Windows 11, 10, 7)
- mshta.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close.
- Access violation at address FFFFFFFF in module mshta.exe. Read of address 00000000.
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What you should know about mshta.exe Microsoft HTML Application host
The original mshta.exe file is definitely a Windows system file, but many viruses use the same name in order to remain unnoticed. Mshta.exe is found in the C:\Windows\System32 directory or sometimes in a subdirectory of C:\Windows.
Frequently occurring are file sizes such as 13,312 bytes (67% of all these files), 11,776 bytes as well as 5 other variants.
This file is part of the Windows operating system found in C:\Windows\. The original file by Microsoft is digitally signed. So please check the file on your computer. The program executes in the background, and can only be terminated using Windows Task Manager.
For this reason, 3% of all experts consider this file to be a possible threat. The probability that it can cause harm is high.
- A mshta.exe file has a 12% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of C:\. In this case, the file size is usually 29,184 bytes. The program appears as a window on the desktop. The file is no part of Microsoft Windows.
- A mshta.exe file has a 26% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in the Windows Temp directory. In this case, the file size is usually 458,829 bytes. This particular software is recognizable as a window and also on the taskbar. The mshta file is not part of the Windows operating system. When Windows starts, this process is automatically started at the same time (Registry: Run, RunOnce, User Shell Folders, MACHINE\Run). There is no internal description of the file. mshta.exe appears to be a file that was compressed by an EXE-Packer. This technique is often used by trojans to keep the file size small and also hamper debugging efforts. However, this in itself is not sufficient reason to presume malicious intent, since even well-intentioned, professional software producers take advantage of compressed files.
- A mshta.exe file has a 40% certainty of being dangerous if it is found in a subdirectory of "C:\Program Files". In this case, the file size is usually 29,184 bytes.
If you see this file on your hard drive or in Windows Task Manager, please make sure that it is not a malicious variant. It's a fact that many trojans try to cloak their true identity by calling themselves mshta.exe. With the above information or by using tools like Security Task Manager you can determine if, in your case, the file is an undesirable variant.
What do other computer users say about mshta?
| it's multiplying its instances and couses RAM loss :- mac | |
| it just pops up like ever 3 minutes and it comes back when u quarantine it or whatever you try Morgan Womack | |
| If it appeared out of nowhere, it's likely malicious KD | |
| microsoft screwed my computer | |
| add/remove programs landau |
Summary: 25 users consider mshta.exe essential and should not be removed. 3 users consider it harmless. However, 10 users consider this to be a suspicious process and would like to get rid of it. For this reason, 18 users have already removed mshta.exe. source: file.net
How to uninstall Internet Explorer or the program
To remove Microsoft HTML Application host from your computer, please follow the manual instructions below.
- Click the Windows Start Button. You can find it in the lower-left corner of the taskbar.
- Type 'uninstall'.
- Click Add or remove programs.
- Now locate Internet Explorer or the program in the list of displayed applications.
- Click the program, and then click Uninstall.
How to check if mshta.exe (Microsoft HTML Application host) was uninstalled completely
After uninstalling, restart your computer. Then open Windows Explorer and check if a folder with the software name still exists under C:\Program Files. Also, check the Registry for remnants of Microsoft HTML Application host. To do this, start Regedit, then look under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > Software for: Microsoft HTML Application host or the name of the producer. Keep in mind that only a computer professional should delete entries in the Windows Registry directly.
Last but not least
If Windows is not working properly, startup is slow, or mshta.exe is causing problems, a good Windows diagnostic tool may help. This is especially effective when it comes to older computers that have accumulated vast quantities of "garbage data" as the result of many software installs and uninstalls.
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