If you found MMC.exe running on your system and you want to know what it is, you’ve come to the right place. MMC.exe is a Microsoft created file that is built-in to every version of Windows since 2000. This process is safe and shouldn’t be causing any problems under normal circumstances. No need to delete or freak out thinking it’s a virus or malware.
MMC, also known as “Microsoft Management Console”, uses host component object models known as snap-ins. These constitute various management snap-ins accessed from the Control Panel, such as the Device Manager. These management snap-ins often provide a graphical user interface for making manual changes to the Windows Registry. Below is a list of some of the snap-ins common in Windows 2000 through Windows 8. Most of these can be launched by directly typing them into the Start Menu or a Run dialog (Windows + R).
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If you are not currently running a snap-in, it is unlikely that MMC.exe will even be running. MMC snap-in dll links are stored in the Windows registry at:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\MMC\SnapIns
Conclusion
MMC.exe is a core administrative process of Windows that should only be running when a related Component Obect Model – aka “snap-in” – is running. This process is built-in to every modern version of Windows and shouldn’t be causing any problems. However, if you are not running a snap-in and see this process in the Task Manager there is a chance that it is a virus disguising itself as an otherwise legitimate service.
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