Do you have doubts about Fontdrvhost.exe? Want to know whether it is a genuine file or a virus? Worry not; we’ve got it covered. Here in this article, we will discuss all usermode font driver hosts (fontdrvhost.exe).
If you notice too many ads popping up on the system, your system behaves weirdly, there is a performance lag, your browser’s home page and search engine have been changed, or files suddenly disappear. These are the symptoms of your system being infected.
To deal with this scanning, your system with the best antivirus is recommended. For this, we suggest trying Systweak Antivirus, a powerful tool that offers real-time protection, exploit protection, malware protection, and all-round protection from the latest and old threats. To download and use the tool, click here.
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Also, you can read a comprehensive review of Systweak Antivirus.
What Is Fontdrvhost.exe?
Popularly known as Usermode Font Driver Host, this file is responsible for offering different fonts. It is a genuine Windows file and is signed by Microsoft. The file on Windows 10 (1909 version) is 802KB and is located in C:\Windows\System32 folder.
Moreover, the process needs administrative privilege to run on all Windows operating systems. You can find this file under Task Manager by the name User Font Driver Host.
Since it is a root process, it should not be killed because this might affect Windows’s normal functioning.
Common Error Messages Caused Due to Fontdrvhost.exe
- exe is missing
- High CPU usage fontdrvhost.exe
- User-mode font driver host windows 10 failed to load
- exe crashing
Is Fontdrvhost.exe Safe To Use?
Since Microsoft signs the file, it is safe; however, if you see two instances of fontdrvhost.exe in the Task Manager, something might be wrong. Therefore, to confirm which one is fake or infected, you need to head to Task Manager and check the file location.
For this, follow the steps below:
1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. This will open the Task Manager
2. Now click the Details tab and look for fontdrvhost.exe
3. Under Username, you should see UMFD-0, and the file location should be C:\Windows\System32.,
4. To check if it is at the said location. Select the file and right-click > Open file location.
You’ll be redirected to the location where the file is saved. If it is not under C:\Windows\System32\, chances are the file is infected. This means you need to take immediate action and secure your system.
For this, you can use Systweak Antivirus or can check the list of the best antivirus software for Windows. To use Systweak Antivirus, follow the steps below:
1. Download, install, and launch Systweak Antivirus.
2. Under Scan Types, select Deep Scan > Deep Scan.
Note: We suggest running a deep scan as it is more thorough and scans every subfolder and file on the system, thus ensuring no area is left unscanned. As hackers are smart to hide behind a genuine Windows process running the deep scan, helps detect and remove them.
3. Wait for the process to finish. Depending on the size of the disk, it might take time. Hence, we recommend using it when the system is in an idle state.
4. Once done, quarantine each threat.
5. Restart Windows. Now head to Task Manager and look for fontdrvhost.exe (Usermode Font Driver). You should now be able to see only one process running.
However, if you think uninstalling is best, we explain how to uninstall Usermode Font Driver Host on Windows 10.
1. In Windows, search bar type Uninstall > click Add or remove programs.
2. Now look for fontdrvhost or Usermode Font Driver Host > select it and click Uninstall.
Restart the system; the problem related to Usermode Font Driver Host should now be resolved.
How To Confirm fontdrvhost.exe (Usermode Font driver Host) Was Completely Uninstalled
After rebooting the system, head to Windows Explorer and see if the folder with the name of Font Driver Host is still under C:\Program Files. Also, check the Registry for leftovers of Usermode Font driver Host.
To do so, follow the steps below:
1. Press Windows + R
2. Type Regedit > Ok
3. Now under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE> Software, look for Usermode Font driver Host or the name of the producer.
Note: You should access Windows Registry only if you have a little bit of knowledge or confidence. Else can skip this step as removing or modifying a single entry can harm your system. In addition to this, you can use a registry cleaner tool. For this, we recommend using Advanced System Optimizer. This one-click cleaning tool offers various modules that include a registry cleaning tool, uninstaller, and many more. You can use it to fix invalid registry entry, uninstall Font Driver Host, and do a lot more. To use this tool, download it from the button below.
Also, you can read the comprehensive review & read more about the tool. This is using any of the steps above; you can fix fontdrvhost.exe High CPU Usage and other problems caused due to Usermode Font Driver Host.
FAQ
What is Fontdrvhost EXE?
Fontdrvhost.exe is a genuine file and part of UMFD-0, a system account generated by the User Mode Driver Framework component. It helps manage font activity on Windows 10.
What does the program Usermode font driver host (Fontdrvhost.exe) do?
Usermode Font Driver is a software component of Windows font driver. With this file’s help, fonts are managed, and users can use fonts in different programs. If this file is infected or not working, you might face a lot of problems with fonts.
Is it a Malware or Virus?
Fontdrvhost.exe is not malware or virus. It is a legitimate windows process. However, if it is not saved under C:\Windows\System32\, then the chances of the infected file are there. In such a case using Systweak Antivirus to clean all infections is recommended.
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Dheeraj Manghnani
I got confused between task host, formal host32 and fontdrvhost. This article cleared up many doubts.