What’s chrome-native-host.exe? Is it safe or a virus?

chrome-native-host.exe is a "native messaging host" developed by Anthropic that allows a Chrome browser extension to communicate directly with a local application or service on your computer. This file acts as a secure bridge, enabling the browser to pass data to Anthropic's local processing tools that wouldn't normally be accessible through a standard web page.

You have this file because you installed an Anthropic-related extension or desktop integration, for Claude.

Below are 4 simple steps you can take to see if the chrome-native-host.exe process is safe or malware.

Researched by Carl @ SpyShelter Labs

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More about chrome-native-host.exe on WINDOWS

Who makes chrome-native-host.exe?

We’ve found Anthropic, PBC should be the publisher of chrome-native-host.exe.

How do we know? Our SpyShelter cybersecurity labs focuses on monitoring different types of Windows PC executables and their behaviors for our popular SpyShelter Antispyware software. Learn more about us, and how our cybersecurity team studies Windows PC executables/processes.

What does it mean if someone is the publisher of a PC .exe (executable or process)?

The publisher of an executable is the entity responsible for its distribution and authenticity. Most processes/executables on your PC should be signed. The signature on the executable should have been verified through a third party whose job it is to make sure the entity is who it says it is. Find an unsigned executable? You should consider scanning any completely unsigned .exe on your PC.

Last updated: February 2, 2026

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Why should you trust us?

Our team at SpyShelter has been studying Windows PC executables for over 15 years, to help fight against spyware, malware, and other threats. SpyShelter has been featured in publications like The Register, PC Magazine, and many others. Now we’re working to share free, actionable, and easy to understand information about Windows executables (processes) with the world, to help as many people as possible keep their devices safe. Learn more about us on our "About SpyShelter” page.

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