Coinhive Windows Miner
coinhive.exe is a miner executable. It runs to mine Monero using CPU cycles and may operate in the background if installed or bundled with software.
coinhive.exe is the Windows executable component of the Coinhive mining platform. It enables CPU-based Monero mining by coordinating with a mining pool, and it may run in the background if bundled with software or installed directly.
Coinhive.exe runs as a compact miner process that leverages CPU threads to mine Monero by connecting to a mining pool and submitting shares; it is designed to run in the background and remain unobtrusive.
Quick Fact: Coinhive popularized browser-based mining; the Windows miner adapts the same concept to use CPU cycles directly.
Yes, coinhive.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Coinhive or a trusted software package, downloaded from official sources.
The real coinhive.exe is not a virus, but cryptocurrency miners are frequently bundled with malware or adware. Verify the source and path.
C:\Program Files\Coinhive\coinhive.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Coinhive\coinhive.exe. Any coinhive.exe elsewhere is suspicious.coinhive.exe in Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show a trusted publisher; otherwise treat as suspicious.Red Flags: Coinhive.exe located outside standard folders (e.g., Temp, AppData) or without a valid digital signature, persistent background activity, or unexpected network connections are strong signs of malware. Remove with antivirus and malware removal tools.
coinhive.exe runs to mine Monero using CPU cycles, typically started by an installer, software bundle, or browser-related component that leverages the Coinhive miner.
Reasons it's running:
Yes, you can disable coinhive.exe. It is safe to stop mining processes when not needed, and you can remove it if you no longer want mining features.
If coinhive.exe is consuming excessive resources, use the following checks and fixes to reduce impact and ensure legitimate operation.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and end coinhive.exe processes
2. Check for startup entries and disable Coinhive components in Task Manager → Startup
3. Uninstall Coinhive from Apps & Features or the bundled software
4. Run a full system antivirus/malware scan
5. If legitimate, configure miner with lower thread count and enable auto-suspend
No, the legitimate coinhive.exe from Coinhive or a trusted bundle is not a virus. Verify the path C:\Program Files\Coinhive\coinhive.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Coinhive\coinhive.exe and ensure a valid signature.
Mining workloads are CPU-heavy by design. High CPU indicates hashing activity. Use Task Manager to identify the exact process and disable if not intended.
Yes, if it is part of an unwanted bundle or malware, uninstall the related software or run antivirus to remove it; if it is legitimate, review the vendor's guidance before removing.
Yes. End the process in Task Manager, disable startup entries, and turn off any background mining options in bundled software.
It may be configured to start with Windows via a startup entry or scheduled task by the installer. Disable or remove the entry if you do not want mining.
Look for coinhive.exe in Task Manager, check startup entries, monitor CPU usage, and review network connections to the mining pool. Run malware scans to confirm legitimacy.