What’s vchrome_proxy.exe (Google Chrome)? Is it safe or a virus?

vchrome_proxy.exe (often shown as chrome_proxy.exe) is a small helper tool bundled with Google Chrome, developed by Google LLC. Its job isn’t to handle browsing or networking—it acts as a binary proxy launcher that redirects calls to the main chrome.exe process. This extra layer lets Chrome shortcuts on the Start menu or desktop display custom icons and launch options without Windows mistakenly grabbing icons from inside Chrome’s folder.

It’s not a separate browser or network tool, and it doesn’t affect proxy settings itself. For any shortcut created (for example, opening a website as a standalone window), chrome_proxy.exe simply forwards the command to chrome.exe, ensuring the intended behavior.

Seeing it running alongside Chrome is normal.

Below are 4 simple steps you can take to see if the vchrome_proxy.exe process is safe or malware.

Researched by Laura @ SpyShelter Labs

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More about vchrome_proxy.exe on WINDOWS

Who makes vchrome_proxy.exe (Google Chrome)?

We’ve found Google LLC should be the publisher of vchrome_proxy.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: June 9, 2025

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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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