What is 'AgentService EXE" and Why Does "AggregatorHost" Run After Update

Question

I just installed the latest cumulative update and restarted my Windows 10 22h2 PC, to see that AggregatorHost now runs in Task Manager at all times, even through multiple restarts; it doesn't consume many resources and behaves similarly to the AggregatorHost on my Windows 11 system, where I can close it temporarily until it eventually appears again

I clicked on Open File Location, which brought me to the System32 folder, which I assume is where this file is supposed to be. the Details tab for AggregatorHost however is pretty much empty, and it does not say "Company: Microsoft Corporation" or any kind of detail when hovering over it

onto my primary 'concern', above AggregatorHost.exe is another exe file called "AgentService"; hovering over the file does say it is from Microsoft Corporation, and is Version 19045.3996, with the file name "AgentService EXE"

both AgentService and AggregatorHost were last "created" or more accurately, modified, around the time I downloaded the update so I assume it's completely safe but I am a bit confused

why is AggregatorHost suddenly running in Task Manager now? all the talk about this process is about Windows 11, and it does run normally on my Win11 system, but it has never ran on my Win10 system. is this just a change the update brought that I have to deal with? is Aggregator Host supposed to be on Windows 10?

secondly, "AgentService EXE" does not exist on my Windows 11 system which has caused me great confusion and worry, even though I scanned the file with Defender and MalwareBytes. I asked my friend to show me his System32 folder, since he is also on Windows 10, but he does not have AggregatorHost OR AgentService on his PC?

I am on Windows 10 Pro, while my friend is on Win10 Home, and my laptop is on Win11 Home so I'm not sure if that is the cause of the "AgentService EXE" files not being there. His PC is also not updated with the latest cumulative update, so that could be why AggregatorHost isn't in System32 but this has all caused me a lot of worry

can anyone answer all these questions and try to explain all this? especially the legitimacy of "AgentService", and it's non-existence on my updated Windows 11 system, as well as my friend's PC

to clarify, I am uncertain when these files may have appeared or if they were always present, since Cumulative Updates always change the Creation Dates of the files. also keep in mind that AggregatorHost is the only one running in Task Manager; AgentService is simply a file that caught my attention above it in System32

Answer 1

Hello, HamAndHands.

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

Based on your description, it seems that you are concerned about AggregatorHost and AgentService.

Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Home have some differences.

And there are also some differences in system files between different minor versions of the operating system.

You don't need to worry about security if you are using antivirus software properly.

In most cases, these files and processes are responsible for managing various components of Windows, helping it to efficiently manage and run various tasks.

You can use the Windows Security Center or other third-party antivirus software to scan the file. If there is no virus alert, then the file is legitimate.

If anything is unclear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Best regards.

Malygos - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist