How To Know If Modern Setup Host Is Safe Or Not - Studytonight

In this article, we will see, what is modern setup host and is it safe for our PC?

Whenever you experience any overheating or lag on your system, the first thing you do is check your task manager to know the cause of heating or lagging. While doing so, if you see any strange process running, it may be a modern setup that is running all the time and occupy the CPU.

If you want to get rid of this problem and understand the cause of this problem then this article is for you. But before moving further let us first see what is Modern Setup Host?

What is a Modern Setup Host?

The Modern Setup Host is primarily known as SetupHost.exe, typically located in the $Windows.~BT/Sources folder of the computer is a component that is pre-installed in the Windows Operating System. It runs in the background of the system while installing the windows update and plays a vital role while updating the previous version of Windows to the newer version of Windows 10.

Without a Modern Setup Host, it is not possible to run Windows Update. Now, the question arises whether it is safe or not.

Is Modern Setup Host Safe?

Firstly, this file isn't a virus, so it is harmless. But if you delete this file, you will get a Windows Update error.

How to know if SetupHost.exe is safe or not?

These are the following three ways to check whether SetupHost.exe is safe or not.

1. By checking the file's location
2. By checking the file's copyright and signature.
3. By checking when it runs

Let us discuss each of these ways separately.

1. By Checking the file's location

The SetupHost.exe file is present in the $Windows.~BT/Sources folder of the computer. So, navigate the file explorer to Local Disk (C:) > $WINDOWS.~BT > Sources and then search for the file.

To know the location of the copy of the SetupHost.exe file, first press the Windows key and then search for the setuphost. Now, right-click on the SetupHost.exe and then click on the Open File Location option from the menu.

Now, check for the directory that opens the file's location. If it is the $Windows.~BT/Sources folder, then it implies that the file is authentic.

2. By checking the file's copyright and signature.

As the Modern Setup Host is a product by Microsoft, so the best way to check whether the file is safe or not by checking whether it carries the Microsoft signature or not.

In order to do so, first press the Windows key and then search for the setuphost. Now, right-click on the SetupHost.exe and click on the Open File Location option. After this, right-click on the SetupHost.exe and then select Properties from the context menu. Now, select the Details tab present at the top of the windows and then go down to Copyright. If the file indicates the copyright to Microsoft Corporation, then it is an original file. And if it indicates the copyright to any other company then, it is better to delete that file as it's a virus.

3. By checking when it runs

The Modern Setup Host should run only when installing updates. But if it is running at other times as well, then it is a virus and this needs to be deleted.

So, to check that first open the Task Manager. If you see SetupHost.exe is running and you are not installing any Windows Update at that time, then this means it is a virus, and is important to delete this.

So, the best way to prevent your system from harmful viruses is by using reliable anti-virus software.

Also Read: Types of Communication Networks