Download Mchost.exe and Troubleshoot Runtime Errors

Last Updated: 11/24/2023
[Time Required for Reading: 3.5 minutes]

mchost.exe, also known as a McAfee Host file, was created by McAfee, Inc. for the development of McAfee Core API. EXE files fall under under the Win64 EXE (Executable application) file type category.

The first version of mchost.exe for McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20) was seen on 08/29/2019 in Windows 10. This is not only most recent release from McAfee, Inc., but it's the only version known in existence.

Continue reading below to discover detailed file information, EXE file troubleshooting, and free downloads of several versions of mchost.exe.

File Analysis Provided by Jason Geater (Author)


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File Overview


General Information
File Name: mchost.exe
File Extension: EXE file extension
Description: McAfee Host
Object File Type: Executable application
File Operating System: Windows NT 32-bit
MIME Type: application/octet-stream
User Popularity Rating:
 
Developer and Software Information
Software Developer: McAfee, LLC.
Software Program: McAfee Core API
Legal Copyright: Copyright © 2019 McAfee, LLC.
File Details
Character Set: Unicode
Language Code: English (U.S.)
File Flags: (none)
File Flags Mask: 0x003f
Entry Point: 0x244a4
Code Size: 303104


What are mchost.exe Error Messages?


mchost.exe Runtime Errors

Runtime errors are McAfee Total Protection errors that occur during "runtime". Runtime is pretty self-explanatory; it means that these EXE errors are triggered when mchost.exe is attempted to be loaded either when McAfee Total Protection is starting up, or in some cases already running. Runtime errors are the most common form of EXE error you will encounter using McAfee Total Protection.

In most cases, mchost.exe runtime errors occurring while the program is running will result in the program terminating abnormally. Most of these mchost.exe error messages mean that McAfee Total Protection was either unable to locate this file on startup, or the file is corrupt, resulting in a prematurely-aborted startup process. Generally, McAfee Total Protection will be unable to start without resolving these errors.

Some of the most common mchost.exe errors include:

  • mchost.exe - Bad Image.
  • mchost.exe Application Error.
  • mchost.exe could not be found.
  • mchost.exe could not be installed.
  • mchost.exe could not be launched. Class not registered.
  • mchost.exe could not be started.
  • mchost.exe failed to initialize properly.
  • mchost.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
  • mchost.exe is not a valid Win32 application.
  • mchost.exe is not running.
  • Cannot find mchost.exe.
  • Error starting program: mchost.exe.
  • Faulting Application Path: mchost.exe.
  • The file mchost.exe is missing or corrupt.
  • Windows failed to start - mchost.exe.
System Error


The program can’t start because mchost.exe is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.

Thus, it's critical to make sure your anti-virus is kept up-to-date and scanning regularly.

Finding the source of the mchost.exe error is key to properly resolving these errors. Although most of these EXE errors affecting mchost.exe will happen during startup, occasionally you will encounter a runtime error while using McAfee Core API. This can occur due to poor programming on behalf of McAfee, LLC., conflicts with other software or 3rd-party plug-ins, or caused by damaged and outdated hardware. Also, these types of mchost.exe errors can occur if it has been accidentally moved, deleted, or corrupted by a malware infection. Thus, it's critical to make sure your anti-virus is kept up-to-date and scanning regularly.



How to Fix mchost.exe Errors in 3 Steps (Time to complete: ~5-15 minutes)

If you're encountering one of the error messages above, follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve your mchost.exe issue. These troubleshooting steps are listed in the recommended order of execution.


Step 1: Restore your PC back to the latest restore point, "snapshot", or backup image before error occurred.

To begin System Restore (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. When you see the search box, type "System Restore" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the search results, find and click System Restore.
  4. Please enter the administrator password (if applicable / prompted).
  5. Follow the steps in the System Restore Wizard to choose a relevant restore point.
  6. Restore your computer to that backup image.

If the Step 1 fails to resolve the mchost.exe error, please proceed to the Step 2 below.

Step 2: If recently installed McAfee Total Protection (or related software), uninstall then try reinstalling McAfee Total Protection software.

You can uninstall McAfee Total Protection software by following these instructions (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. In the search box, type "Uninstall" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the search results, find and click "Add or Remove Programs"
  4. Find the entry for McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20) and click "Uninstall"
  5. Follow the prompts for uninstallation.

After the software has been fully uninstalled, restart your PC and reinstall McAfee Total Protection software.

If this Step 2 fails as well, please proceed to the Step 3 below.

McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20)

McAfee, Inc.

Step 3: Perform a Windows Update.

When the first two steps haven't solved your issue, it might be a good idea to run Windows Update. Many mchost.exe error messages that are encountered can be contributed to an outdated Windows Operating System. To run Windows Update, please follow these easy steps:

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. In the search box, type "Update" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the Windows Update dialog box, click "Check for Updates" (or similar button depending on your Windows version)
  4. If updates are available for download, click "Install Updates".
  5. After the update is completed, restart your PC.

If Windows Update failed to resolve the mchost.exe error message, please proceed to next step. Please note that this final step is recommended for advanced PC users only.



If Those Steps Fail: Download and Replace Your mchost.exe File (Caution: Advanced)

If none of the previous three troubleshooting steps have resolved your issue, you can try a more aggressive approach (Note: Not recommended for amateur PC users) by downloading and replacing your appropriate mchost.exe file version. We maintain a comprehensive database of 100% malware-free mchost.exe files for every applicable version of McAfee Total Protection. Please follow the steps below to download and properly replace you file:

  1. Locate your Windows operating system version in the list of below "Download mchost.exe Files".
  2. Click the appropriate "Download Now" button and download your Windows file version.
  3. Copy this file to the appropriate McAfee Total Protection folder location:
    Windows 10: C:\Program Files\Common Files\McAfee\Platform\Core\
  4. Restart your computer.

If this final step has failed and you're still encountering the error, you're only remaining option is to do a clean installation of Windows 10.


GEEK TIP : We must emphasize that reinstalling Windows will be a very time-consuming and advanced task to resolve mchost.exe problems. To avoid data loss, you must be sure that you have backed-up all of your important documents, pictures, software installers, and other personal data before beginning the process. If you are not currently backing up your data, you need to do so immediately.



Download mchost.exe Files (Malware-Tested 100% Clean)


CAUTION : We strongly advise against downloading and copying mchost.exe to your appropriate Windows system directory. McAfee, Inc. typically does not release McAfee Total Protection EXE files for download because they are bundled together inside of a software installer. The installer's task is to ensure that all correct verifications have been made before installing and placing mchost.exe and all other EXE files for McAfee Total Protection. An incorrectly installed EXE file may create system instability and could cause your program or operating system to stop functioning altogether. Proceed with caution.

Windows 10


Files Related to mchost.exe


EXE Files Related to mchost.exe

File Name Description Software Program (Version) File Size (bytes) File Location
MHNShell.exe McAfee MHN Shell McAfee Integrated Security Platform (12,0,0,0) 1401704 C:\Windows\System32\sru\
mcupdatemgr.exe McAfee Update Manager McAfee Update Manager (7,0,0,0) 1391256 C:\Windows\System32\sru\
MpSigStub.exe Microsoft Malware Protection Signature Update Stub Microsoft Malware Protection (1.1.16500.1) 748816 C:\Windows\inf\
PEFCommonBuild.exe PEF Common Build McAfee PEF (3,0,0,0) 1097992 C:\Windows\System32\sru\
browserhost.exe McAfee WebAdvisor McAfee WebAdvisor (4,1,0,0) 2840568 C:\Windows\System32\LogFiles\WMI\

Other Files Related to mchost.exe

File Name Description Software Program (Version) File Size (bytes) File Location
win.ini Windows Initialization McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20) 124 C:\Windows\
SA.DAT Game Data McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20) 6 C:\WINDOWS\Tasks\
setupapi.dev.log Log McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20) 684126 C:\Windows\inf\
api-ms-win-core-memory... ApiSet Stub DLL Microsoft® Windows® Operating System (10.0.17134.12) 11624 C:\Users\Tester\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDriv...
api-ms-win-core-dateti... ApiSet Stub DLL Microsoft® Windows® Operating System (10.0.17134.12) 11112 C:\Users\Tester\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDriv...


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