What is the "mmc.exe" process on Windows 8? Is the "mmc.exe" process a virus? Can I terminate the "mmc.exe" process?

"mmc.exe - Microsoft Management Console" process represents a Microsoft Management Console window you are running on the desktop.

"mmc.exe" process is created by "explorer.exe" when you launch a Microsoft Management Console window, like the Services console.

On the Processes tab of "Task Manager", "mmc.exe" process may be listed as:

Image Name  PID   Memory   Description

mmc.exe     3840  1,988 K  Microsoft Management Console

Additional information about "mmc.exe" process:

Command line:
   "C:\Windows\system32\mmc.exe" "C:\Windows\system32\services.msc"
   
Started by: explorer.exe

Files used:
C:\Users\fyicenter\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\counters.dat
C:\Windows\Fonts
C:\Windows\System32\atl.dll
C:\Windows\System32\en-US
C:\Windows\System32\mmc.exe
C:\Windows\System32\stdole2.tlb
C:\Windows\System32\wbem\en-US\ServDeps.dll.mui
   
Registry keys: 
HKCU\Software\Classes
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
HKCU\Software\Policies
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MAIN\FeatureControl
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Nls
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Session Manager

"mmc.exe" process is not a virus. You should not terminate "mmc.exe" process. It will go away after you close the Microsoft Management Console window.

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