GridinSoft Threat Intelligence
taskhostw.exe threat report
GridinSoft Anti-Malware detection
Detected by GridinSoft before you download
The current ThreatInfo record shows this exact file hash detected as Trojan.Downloader. Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware to scan the device, confirm whether this file is present, and remove the detected object if it is found.
- Detection name
- Trojan.Downloader
- Recommended action
- Scan and remove
- Last analysis
- 2026-05-16 09:00:54 (2 weeks ago)
- File hash
- 45530e214fcdc917e6217bcc0215a5fe
Why it matters
Why GridinSoft flags this file
GridinSoft identifies the sample as Trojan.Downloader, part of the Trojan threat category.
Malware disguised as legitimate software or delivered through deceptive packaging. Related Trojan reports help compare this file with nearby detections, publishers, and hashes.
First seen 2024-05-16 23:01:03 (2 years ago); latest analysis 2026-05-16 09:00:54 (2 weeks ago).
Company metadata: Realtek Semiconductor. Product metadata: Realtek HD Audio.
ThreatInfo has seen this file in user or system paths listed below. Unexpected locations increase the need for local verification.
Recommended action
What to do next
- Compare the MD5 above with the file found on the device.
- Check whether the file appears in the observed locations or under one of the alternate names.
- Run GridinSoft Anti-Malware to confirm the detection and remove the file if it is present. Review the Trojan category for related samples and common context.
File context
taskhostw.exe is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with Realtek HD Audio. The reported company name is Realtek Semiconductor. The current detection status is Trojan.Downloader, based on the latest analysis from 2026-05-16 09:00:54 (2 weeks ago). ThreatInfo groups this verdict with Trojan reports for broader family-level investigation.
If taskhostw.exe appears on your computer unexpectedly, treat it as suspicious. Check its location, digital signature, and recent system changes before allowing it to run. A full anti-malware scan is recommended when this file is detected as Trojan.Downloader.
File Details
| Product Name: | Realtek HD Audio |
| Company Name: | Realtek Semiconductor |
| MD5: | 45530e214fcdc917e6217bcc0215a5fe |
| Size: | 25 MB |
| First Published: | 2024-05-16 23:01:03 (2 years ago) |
| Latest Published: | 2026-05-16 09:00:54 (2 weeks ago) |
| Status: | Trojan.Downloader (on last analysis) | |
| Analysis Date: | 2026-05-16 09:00:54 (2 weeks ago) |
Detection screenshot
The screenshot is a visual record of a GridinSoft Anti-Malware detection for this sample. Use the hash and metadata above as the primary identifiers when comparing the file on your system.
Common Places:
| %commonappdata% |
| %sysdrive%\$recycle.bin |
ThreatInfo has observed taskhostw.exe in the locations listed above. Files found in temporary folders, user profile folders, startup locations, or unusual application directories should be reviewed more carefully than files installed under a known program directory.
Geographic signal
Observed country distribution
ThreatInfo has seen taskhostw.exe across 2 countries. Use this signal to compare local evidence with where the sample is most often reported.
The strongest geographic signal for this file is Russia with 93.3% of observed hits. Geographic distribution can help identify targeted campaigns, regional software bundles, or where a file is most commonly reported.
OS Version:
The most common operating system signal for taskhostw.exe is Windows 10 with 73.3% of observed hits. If your system differs from the common profile, check whether the file was introduced by a specific installer, archive, or removable device.
Analysis
taskhostw.exe is identified as pe for 64-bit systems. The subsystem is Windows GUI. PE header values are useful for triage, especially when they do not match the expected publisher, product, or release timeline.
PE Sections:
Section layout highlights raw-size concentration, repeated names, packer markers, and hashes that can be compared across related samples.
424c8b995ce93fd7a69e632aed8920b0
3017a8ff0496fbce2ab1b4bcc10bbd80
cf206bfb03bfc3995d8395f05444abd9
7a4d96d9805aac4935aba7333173f95e
70a492c1304be530458b821dfc92caf3
2bad6b2604b88eb4aa04e07c9f916dde
c6f1168123d1b3aef99b5f40deac2ceb
13d23a31dacac150b5fe0be0178b22f2
1fb1a5be6e2036d6959eb006d80faecf
d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e
d80b531484af5f31c6e5704badf8964e
434b36023418041a6a57ba38ac1899e8
PE section names and hashes can reveal packing, injected resources, or unusual build artifacts. Sections with uncommon names, very large raw data, or hashes that differ from a trusted copy deserve additional review.
Report conclusion
GridinSoft detects this file as Trojan.Downloader
This report identifies taskhostw.exe by MD5 45530e214fcdc917e6217bcc0215a5fe. It is part of the Trojan report group. If the same file is present on your device, scan the system and remove the detected object after confirming the hash and location.