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. These can be launched by directly typing them into the Start Menu or a Run dialog (Windows + R). 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 Object 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. Comment Name * Email *

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