SVCHOST.EXE is a windows system process which allows DLL files to be executed. This file is a system critical file and cannot be deleted. Many viruses/trojans also use this file to attach or hide malicious programs. As a result, it becomes corrupt after you try to uninstall any virus. Also, it may become corrupt after a windows update session. In that case, an error message similar to the on shown below is displayed:
“Generic Host Process for Win32 Services has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.”
And
“svchost.exe — application error the instruction at “0x745f2780” reference memory at “0x00000000″. the memory could not be read”
While the error may be because of different reasons, this one is most common. The Problem is related to Windows Update and can be easily resolved by following the steps below:
Verify Windows Update Service Settings
- Click on Start, Run and type the following command in the open box and click OK
services.msc
- Find the Automatic Updates service and double-click on it.
- Click on the Log On Tab and make sure the “Local System Account” is selected as the logon account and the box for “allow service to interact with desktop” is UNCHECKED.
- Under the Hardware Profile section in the Log On Tab, make sure the service is enabled.
- On the General Tab, the Startup Type should be Automatic, if not, drop the box down and select Automatic.
- Under “Service Status” on the General tab, the service should be Started, click the Start button enable it.
- Repeat the steps above for the service “Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)”
Re-Register Windows Update DLLs
- Click on Start, Run, and type CMD and click ok
- In the black command window type the following command and press Enter
REGSVR32 WUAPI.DLL
- Wait until you receive the “DllRegisterServer in WUAPI.DLL succeeded” message and click OK
- Repeat the last two steps above for each of the following commands:
REGSVR32 WUAUENG.DLL
REGSVR32 WUAUENG1.DLL
REGSVR32 ATL.DLL
REGSVR32 WUCLTUI.DLL
REGSVR32 WUPS.DLL
REGSVR32 WUPS2.DLL
REGSVR32 WUWEB.DLL
Remove Corrupted Windows Update Files
- At the command prompt, type the following command and press Enter
net stop WuAuServ
- Still at the command prompt,
type cd %windir% and press Enter
- In the opened folder, type the following command and press Enter to rename the SoftwareDistribution Folder
ren SoftwareDistribution SD_OLD
- Restart the Windows Update Service by typing the following at the command prompt
net start WuAuServ
- Type Exit and Press Enter to close the command prompt
- Reboot Windows
- Click on Start, Shut Down, and Restart to reboot Windows XP
