The genuine SearchProtocolHost.exe file is a software component of Microsoft Windows Operating System by Microsoft Corporation. "SearchProtocolHost.exe" is a Microsoft process, a component of Windows Search. On 64-bit Windows systems, two versions exist, one in "C:\Windows\SysWoW64" to search 32-bit files and one in "C:\Windows\System32" for 64-bit work. A 32-bit system only has one in "C:\Windows\System32". Two instances are launched by SearchIndexer.exe, one in the system context and one in the user context, (thus four overall, in 64-bit Windows). It "hosts" the protocol handlers, which are DLL libraries each tuned to one file type's structure, (e.g., ".docx" for Word, ".xlsx" for Excel), by loading and initializing all handlers and then establishing threads to do file filtering. Once a handler is loaded it stays resident until Search ends. Note that Windows Search identifies and indexes files by their Uniform Resource Identifier which includes more than the filename and path.
SearchProtocolHost stands for Microsoft Windows SearchProtocolHost
The .exe extension on a filename indicates an executable file. Executable files may in some cases harm your computer. Therefore, please read below to decide for yourself whether the SearchProtocolHost.exe on your computer is a Trojan that you should remove, or whether it is a file belonging to the Windows operating system or to a trusted application.
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SearchProtocolHost.exe file information
SearchProtocolHost.exe process in Windows Task Manager
Description: The original SearchProtocolHost.exe from Microsoft is an important part of Windows, but often causes problems. The file SearchProtocolHost.exe is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder.
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 164,352 bytes (44% of all occurrences), 340,992 bytes and 33 more variants.
The program has no visible window. It is a trustworthy file from Microsoft. SearchProtocolHost.exe is a Windows system file.
SearchProtocolHost.exe is able to manipulate other programs.
Therefore the technical security rating is 3% dangerous, but you should also take into account the user reviews.
Is SearchProtocolHost.exe a virus? No, it is not. The true SearchProtocolHost.exe file is a safe Microsoft Windows system process, called "Microsoft Windows Search Protocol Host".
However, writers of malware programs, such as viruses, worms, and Trojans deliberately give their processes the same file name to escape detection. Viruses with the same file name are e.g. PE_VIRUX.R (detected by TrendMicro), and W32.Virut.CF (detected by Symantec).
To ensure that no rogue SearchProtocolHost.exe is running on your PC, click here to run a Free Virus Scan.
How to recognize suspicious variants?
If SearchProtocolHost.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 7% dangerous. The file size is 164,352 bytes (39% of all occurrences), 336,384 bytes and 9 more variants.
The SearchProtocolHost.exe file is a Microsoft signed file. The program is not visible.
SearchProtocolHost.exe is able to manipulate other programs.
If SearchProtocolHost.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files", the security rating is 64% dangerous. The file size is 4,608 bytes.
The program has a visible window. It is not a Windows core file. There is no description of the program. The program starts when Windows starts (see Registry key: TaskScheduler, Run).
SearchProtocolHost.exe appears to be a compressed file.
Important: Some malware disguises itself as SearchProtocolHost.exe, particularly when not located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the SearchProtocolHost.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.
Score
User Comments
Just indexes all files if file indexing is activated in windows. File indexing improves search speed. Duck (further information)
Used by botnets and other malicious actors to enumerate credentials etc on files and other apps like sticky notes. Adi
C:\windows\system32\searchprotocolhost,exe fahim
Found this on my iPad & iPhone 5 though it says coming from iPhone 6 KBillmire
rkill killed 2 instances of SearchProtocolHost.exe, one of SearchFilterHost.exe and one of rundll32.exe, and the user's main complaint was resolved. The instances killed by rkill are probably not the real thing. Peter
If in System folder then there is no danger. Morehumor
Looks like there is at least 2 versions of SearchProtocolHost. One is from Microsoft and is located in the System32 folder. Another is related to search.conduit.com and was installed with the Free Ride Games Player. I have Virus Total Updater 2.2-beta installed on my Win 7 computer. It is free to use at the link provided. SearchProtocolHost showed up on Virus Total. I had just installed the game player from Free Ride Games. When I uninstalled search conduit from add/remove programs, SearchProtocolHost was gone from Virus Total. Search.Conduit.com becomes the home page on your browsers as well as the default search engine. Basically a high-jacker / pup. Even though SearchProtocolHost is no longer showing up in VirusTotal the Microsoft version is still in my Sytem32 folder. Linda (further information)(further information)
It is a Spyware, Although this application is in the original system running as SYSTEM appears, the running SPYWARE version appears as if the user had opened, that is your name (in my case MIKE) Info from: Microsoft Forum mmiiqquueell
Summary: Average user rating of SearchProtocolHost.exe:
based on 56 votes with 9 user comments.
14 users think SearchProtocolHost.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
5 users think it's probably harmless.
8 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
13 users suspect danger.
16 users think SearchProtocolHost.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
11 users don't grade SearchProtocolHost.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving SearchProtocolHost issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with SearchProtocolHost. This means running a scan for malware, cleaning your hard drive using 1cleanmgr and 2sfc /scannow, 3uninstalling programs that you no longer need, checking for Autostart programs (using 4msconfig) and enabling Windows' 5Automatic Update. Always remember to perform periodic backups, or at least to set restore points.
Should you experience an actual problem, try to recall the last thing you did, or the last thing you installed before the problem appeared for the first time. Use the 6resmon command to identify the processes that are causing your problem. Even for serious problems, rather than reinstalling Windows, you are better off repairing of your installation or executing the 7DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command. This allows you to repair the operating system without losing data.
To get your computer running as fast as it did on day one, you can 8reset your PC. Your personal files will remain intact, but any programs you installed will need to be reinstalled.
To help you analyze the SearchProtocolHost.exe process on your computer, the following programs have proven to be helpful: ASecurity Task Manager displays all running Windows tasks, including embedded hidden processes, such as keyboard and browser monitoring or Autostart entries. A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware or a Trojan. A good Bantivirus software detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, malware and trackers from your hard drive.
Score
User Comments
Duck (further information)
Adi
fahim
KBillmire
Peter
Morehumor
Linda (further information) (further information)
mmiiqquueell
(further information)
Summary: Average user rating of SearchProtocolHost.exe: based on 56 votes with 9 user comments. 14 users think SearchProtocolHost.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 5 users think it's probably harmless. 8 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 13 users suspect danger. 16 users think SearchProtocolHost.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 11 users don't grade SearchProtocolHost.exe ("not sure about it").