What is the Starticon in the Windows Task Manager?

The “Start” entry in Task Manager is a legitimate Windows component, not a virus. It represents the Windows Start Menu process that powers the taskbar, Start button, and related UI features. Microsoft began surfacing it in newer builds of Windows 10/11 as part of the way modern shell components are handled.

A couple of points to keep in mind:

✅ If it shows as Publisher: Microsoft Corporation, it’s safe.

🔄 If the publisher is missing or looks suspicious, right-click → Open file location. It should point to C:\Windows\SystemApps\ShellExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\ or a similar system path.

🛡️ If you still have doubts, run a quick scan with Windows Defender or another trusted antivirus for peace of mind.

So in short — it’s a normal system process tied to the Start menu, not something harmful.