If you have noticed that StartMenuExperienceHost.exe is running on task manager or consuming high GPU resources or even crashes frequently then you should continue reading this. This is an integral, core component of the Windows Operating System which has been introduced very recently.
It came along with the release of the Windows’ Update build 1903 which is the most recent major update provided by the Microsoft Corporation that brought a great deal of improvement in performance, introduced various new tools, utilities, and features for its end users. It was popularly known as the May 2019 Update. One of those new features is the StartMenuExperienceHost.exe
Quick Overivew
File Size & Location
This file can be found in the following location – C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy whereas the file size is approx 762 KB.
You can simply go to the mentioned location and right-click on the StartMenuExperienceHost.exe file to check it’s properties.
| File Name: | StartMenuExperienceHost.exe |
| File Size: | 762 KB |
| File Location: | C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy |
| Publisher: | Microsoft Corporation |
What’re the uses of StartMenuExperienceHost
Up until now, the Start Menu had been hosted by ShellEperienceHost.exe i.e, the Windows Shell Experience Host. The host already had a simultaneous process running which included processes related to the Explorer and the Windows Shell. This leads to instability and inconsistency in the performance of the Start Menu. The whole explorer would crash and needed a restart if something went wrong with the Start Menu.
Thus to resolve such issues, Microsoft released StartMenuExperienceHost.exe. The main purpose of creating this program was to provide an independent and dedicated host process that would run the Start Menu and its subsidiary functions only. This had several benefits, from various potential issues impacting other surfaces. That made it more reliable, increased its stability, faster as it increased the response time of the Start, and ultimately improved the overall Start Menu Experience.
Is it safe or a virus?
It is completely safe, it is a legitimate program, was created and digitally signed by the Microsoft Corporation itself. There haven’t been any reports or complaints by the Windows user regarding any suspicious activity of the StartMenuExperienceHost.exe program.
So, let us see how you can verify its legitimacy and confirm that it’s not a virus. You can use the Task Manager to check the details of the StartMenuExperienceHost.exe file.
1. Press the combination of Crtl + Shift + I keys to launch the Task Manager.
2. Go to the Details
3. Find exe, right-click on it, and select Open file location.
4. Now, if the file is located under the following location, then it is safe.
C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy
But, if you find StartMenuExperienceHost.exein a different location, then there could be a possibility that it is either a virus, ransomware, or spyware. In that case, it is advised to perform a full system scan using an antivirus program.
Common Error and Fix for StartMenuExperienceHost.exe
The process itself is not much of a problem but there is a very common error that is associated with it and can be easily fixed.
And, it is when the Start Menu freezes, you can just restart the StartMenuExperienceHost.exe process to fix the Start Menu needing to restart the whole explorer that used to be earlier.
Many users have a complaint that StartMenuExperienceHost.exe either stopped working or crash frequently.
There are various methods for restarting the Start Menu and that would need a completely different article on its own i.e, something like – “How to Restart the Start Menu in Windows 10”. So, today I am going to show you only one and the best method to give you an idea of how it works.
To Restart your Start Menu
1. Press the combination of Crtl + Shift + Esc keys to launch the Task Manager.
2. Go to the Details
3. Find exe, right-click on it, and select End Task.
4. Click on End Process to confirm.
6. Doing this will automatically end the process and restart it.
In this way, you can fix your frozen or broken Start Menu by restarting the process.
Conclusion :
That was everything about the StartMenuExperienceHost.exe file. I hope that the above-provided information might have helped you. Please feel free to comment if you have any doubts and queries.
