What is COM Surrogate?

Question

What is COM Surrogate? A few times I have tried to move files such as images or documents around on my hard drive but an error message displays saying the file could not be moved because it is open in COM Surrogate. Again, what is COM Surrogate?

Answer 1

COM Surrogate is a Windows process that helps open certain files, like images or documents, behind the scenes. Sometimes, it keeps a file open, which is why you can’t move it right away.

To fix it, try closing any apps that might be using the file. If that doesn’t work, restart your computer, and it should free up the file.

Let me know if you need more help.

Answer 2

Hello there! I am Charity, I'm an Independent Advisor. I'm glad to help you today!

COM Surrogate (dllhost.exe) is a Windows process that hosts COM objects to handle tasks like generating file thumbnails. Basically, it's a legitimate process.

Let's do a clean boot then try to move your files again.

Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.

In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab.

Check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.

Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.

In Task Manager, disable all startup items.

Close Task Manager, then click OK in System Configuration.

Restart your computer.

Kind Regards,

Charity

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Please note that things might need more than one reply to completely resolve your issue, as it will completely depend on the complexity of the question and the amount of detail that you have provided me.

Answer 3

I just found a faster solution, I just End Task the COM Surrogate in Task Manager and then it lets me move the file without any problems.

Answer 4

Thank you for getting back to me. Yes, correct! Those are other ways to doing it. That and the other three below.

-End the dllhost.exe process via Task Manager.

-Disable the Preview Pane in File Explorer.

-Perform a clean boot

May I ask if you need any more assistance? :)

Answer 5

Nope, I found the solution just by experimenting.