In late December, just before the beginning of 2021, I had been engaged in organizing some files and folders in my laptop. Meanwhile, I wanted to view and trim a series of videos using Microsoft Photos. And having this done, once I tried to delete the old video files, I discovered that the videos weren’t getting deleted from the system, despite of my persistent attempts. Instead, I ended up receiving a pop-up message which read,
“The action can’t be completed
because the file is open in Shell Infrastructure Host. Close the file and try
again.”
And thereupon, I came across the term ‘Windows Shell Infrastructure Host’. I do
have a background in information technology, but let me tell you the truth.
This term was as stranger to me as Mr. Bill Gates in person. That’s another matter
anyway.
But the moment I googled it, I found the concept
behind this term quite interesting. It spoke something to me. So, I decided to
write a piece on it. And, here it is!
An Overview of the Windows Shell
To begin with, I like to tell you that in each and
every computer, there is a control center.
You already know this, probably.
Let’s say, for instance, each and every human
individual has a certain amount of control in making the choice where to direct
or from where to withdraw one’s attention. You can think of a computer’s
control center as being analogously similar to this control center of a human’s
mind.
Right.
Now, let us consider the space of your mind. This
is the space in which all those beautiful as well as those crazy thoughts keep
popping up throughout the day. In the similar vein, a computer has a space
called as the ‘computer shell’. If you’re using Microsoft Windows, this
computer shell is particularly known as the ‘Windows Shell’. So, Windows Shell,
basically, refers to a space in which all the interface elements appear,
display and pop-up on your computer screen. Amidst this space is further
located a namespace in which all the labels, functions, processes, syntax,
vocabulary and programs are stored as a code for the proper functioning of the
system.
This shell namespace
could be seen in the form of an organizational library containing all the
information, details and instructions pertaining to the workflow, processes and
functioning of your computer’s operating system. In Windows, this namespace can
be observed in the form of the ‘File
Explorer’. You might have noticed that a File Explorer consists of all the navigation links, file names,
folder names, pinned folders, default program folders and details like these
for an easier traversing of the computer’s data.
From documents to text files, from images to
videos, all the files and folders are organized and arranged systematically in
a hierarchical view displayed inside this File Explorer window. These
documents, files and folders are specifically referred to as ‘shell objects’. Examples
of the shell objects include Control Panel, Recycle Bin, Shortcuts and more.
A Mysterious Background Process…
As also mentioned in the video-trimming example
above, many users of Windows [Windows 10 specifically] have experienced errors
like this occuring in their system time and again, and thereupon, coming across
this mysterious process running in the background on their device. Well, this
background process is related to a crucial software component of your computer’s
operating system. And, this component is named as ‘Shell Infrastructure Host’.
What is Shell Infrastructure Host?
Also denoted by sihost.exe
file, Shell Infrastructure Host is primarily a component of Windows 10
operating system package by Microsoft. It runs in the background of all the
workings of your system. You could take a look at this file running somewhere in
the Task Manager. Else, it can be found to be located on the path of the computer’s
drive which is, mostly, C:/Windows/System32.
Well, is this component some sort of a virus or a
threat for the computer system?
Well, not at all.
Rather, this component performs the responsibility of
handling and carrying out some of the most important processes of your computer
system.
Features of Shell Infrastructure Host
To put it in a poetic manner, I like to this of it
as a component which, as its name also suggests, hosts the infrastructure appearance of the shell space of the Windows
operating system by performing various essential processes in the background.
Well, this spooky software component is credited for
performing and handling a bundle of tasks and duties, especially pertaining to
the multiple and various graphical elements of the operating system.
GUI Elements
This is the component attributed to the management
of the computer’s GUI elements, as well as some of the automated visual
designer characteristics too. If you’re wondering what that means - Well, the
automatic accent colour which your taskbars and menu bars seem to pick; the
transparency prevailing at the taskbar; the switching of wallpapers &
slideshows – processes like these are handled by this component called Shell
Infrastructure Host.
This also includes the timeline views like that of
the grids, tiles, cards and flipcards. All those graphic icons in light yellow’s,
blue’s and green’s; as well as the icons resembling tiny little charms, the
shortcuts icons, these too are displayed with the support of this component.
Launches
& Autoplays
Even more so, some dynamic processes like launching
of the Windows, opening of the Windows Start menu, flipping of the screen
tiles, opening of folders & sub-folders, autoplays, notification flyers &
pop-ups; the background of tasks like these too is taken care of by this
internal component.
Applications like Action Center, Search, Cortana
and Bluetooth also find themselves thanking this ‘Shell Infrastructure
Component’ for their successful launch & running.
Now, the main thing is, so what’s the problem? When, this component holds so much of the
significance in the operating of the computer, then what’s the matter of
concern, if at all?
Well, you are thinking it right. When it comes to the
original component called the Shell Infrastructure Host, there is absolutely no
problem. Just like the other parts of a computer, this component too is
designed to support the overall functioning. However, there are certain errors which,
oftentimes, tend to act as barriers that might hinder it from functioning
properly.
These barriers attached to this component might end up
causing this very host to turn into a parasite for the system. To imply, rather
than supporting the system, it might start causing damage to it instead. In its
original form, the SIHost is neither a virus nor a threat. But, inside it are
some elements which might cause it to allow certain viruses or threats to
disrupt its functioning, unless you have the knowledge and awareness of it
beforehand.
So, here are some of these barriers. Read up on!
Pockets of Big Memory Leaks in The Windows Shell
This component named ‘Shell Infrastructure Host’ can
sometimes be observed to be using a large amount of computer’s memory. On
occasions, you might notice in the Task Manager window that the file pertaining
to this component [sihost.exe] is
eating up a space too much in the CPU or using up a large amount of memory from
the memory units. In cases like these, the system will communicate it to you in
various forms like that of slowing down of applications, certain files refusing
to load, or some program apps crashing down totally.
In my case, the system communicated it to me with
that pop-up saying that the video couldn’t be deleted and that I should try
deleting it some time later.
So, the question is, why does this component tend
to use a large amount of computer’s memory time and again? And how do we
prevent this large memory consumption or leakage?
Well, interestingly, you have a choice. There are a
number of solutions you can attempt in order to fix this issue.
#1 Simplify
the Graphics & Visuals Into Minimal
If SIH’s high memory usage is causing your system to
slow down, you could try changing some of the settings which might be mealing
on the memory in the background. If you have a slideshow or a theme style for
the wallpaper, try changing it to a static style backdrop.
You can change the automatic accent colour picker to only
one colour of your choice. Then, you can also turn off the autoplays and the file
previews.
If any of these elements had been eating up your
system’s memory, then the system will appear to show results soon enough in
terms of resuming its normal function. If still, the issue persists, you can
try the following trick.
#2 Limit the Memory
Usage in CPU’s Pie
The Task Manager, fortunately allows you to limit the
usage and memory consumption of some of the CPU’s processes, including that of the
SIH process file. So, it is quite possible for you to limit the memory
consumption via SIH file too. All you need to do is, to simply go to the Task
Manager, find the ShellInfrastructureHost.exe
file, right-click and select the option ‘Set Affinity’ to change the memory
usage.
But there is one thing. That is, do not ever try to
delete or remove this component for, this could disrupt or even damage your
computer’s functioning. Remember that the component plays an essential and
crucial role in the computer’s functioning.
VIRUSES FROM the Mischievous Malware Manufacturers
As also mentioned above, that this component is
neither a virus nor a threat or harm to the computer’s system, however, just
like some cracks or pockets of memory leaks, there is yet another barrier which
could make this lovely component to act like a parasite instead.
That is, some of those mischievous malware
manufacturers. Carrying mischief in their minds, some of these manufacturers,
these days, have a bad habit of creating malware files which contain the same
name as the SIH. The file’s name thereby makes it difficult for the users to
detect and fix.
The fact: While the original SIH.exe file is not
harmful but owing to its name, it does carry an equal possibility of carrying
some sort of virus or malware inside the file of the same name. Virus
manufacturers aren’t any buffoons after all!
In order to know whether the error you’re experiencing
in SIH is due to a malware/Trojan/worm, you can easily test it via a trusted or
verified portal. Mostly, it is a good idea to trust only the Microsoft’s
official community threads or pages bearing a verified seal. You can also
troubleshoot your system or re-install any of the applications, post-having the
backup.
Ending with…
So, this was a geeky story about the spooky host
component called as Shell Infrastructure
Host. I hope that you enjoyed this story.
I like to think of it as a lovely good-good host but
no wonder; it might start to turn itself into a parasite if the user fails to
have the essential knowledge about it.
This component is just like a human’s mind. I think.
What do you think?
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