Should I have multiple sessions of Svchost.exe running simultaniou

[Guest]

I'm using Windows XP Home ed. and when I look at my process list
(Ctrl+Alt+Delete, processes tab) there are approximately five copies of
svchost.exe running at the same time. they are listed under different users
(3 listed as 'service' one listed as 'network service' and the last under
'local service'). Is this normal behaviour? Should I be worried about a
malicious program hijacking svchost? Is it safe to kill some of the sessions
and free up memory? If so, which sessions do I leave and which do I take out?

Thanks

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

I'm using Windows XP Home ed. and when I look at my process list
(Ctrl+Alt+Delete, processes tab) there are approximately five copies of
svchost.exe running at the same time. they are listed under different users
(3 listed as 'service' one listed as 'network service' and the last under
'local service'). Is this normal behaviour? Should I be worried about a
malicious program hijacking svchost? Is it safe to kill some of the sessions
and free up memory? If so, which sessions do I leave and which do I take out?

Hi

Yes, it is normal to have several copies of svchost.exe running (I have
6 running at the moment). Svchost.exe is the host for services.

And, no, you should not try to kill any of them.

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

I have 5 instances of 'svchost.exe' running here.

Have a look at the following article:

"A description of Svchost.exe in Windows XP"
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314056&Product=winxp

--

Will Denny
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups


message | I'm using Windows XP Home ed. and when I look at my process list
| (Ctrl+Alt+Delete, processes tab) there are approximately five copies of
| svchost.exe running at the same time. they are listed under different
users
| (3 listed as 'service' one listed as 'network service' and the last under
| 'local service'). Is this normal behaviour? Should I be worried about a
| malicious program hijacking svchost? Is it safe to kill some of the
sessions
| and free up memory? If so, which sessions do I leave and which do I take
out?
|
| Thanks

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

It's perfectly normal to have several instances of Svchost.exe
running simultaneously.

A Description of Svchost.exe in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q314056


Bruce Chambers
--
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[Alex Nichol]

I'm using Windows XP Home ed. and when I look at my process list
(Ctrl+Alt+Delete, processes tab) there are approximately five copies of
svchost.exe running at the same time. they are listed under different users

Svchost provides the interface into the system for a whole slew of
services. They get loaded in batches at different stages, hence the
multiple instances.