Is dwm.exe Safe? Fix Desktop Window Manager Errors and High CPU Usage

So, we put up this text to assist you answer such questions as “Is dwm.exe safe?” and “what is dwm.exe?” and “why is dwm.exe using CPU?.” determine what dwm.exe is, why it’s using such a lot CPU, and whether or not you ought to remove it from your computer.

What is dwm.exe?

DWM.exe stands for Desktop Window Manager, and it’s a core process that’s tightly connected to the File Explorer process. it’s an executable file as denoted by the .exe file extension. So, Dwm.exe runs the Desktop Windows Manager.

The genuine dwm.exe file is a crucial software component of Microsoft Windows, and it’s a Windows core system file by Microsoft. It’s liable for handling elements like Windows Aero, and other visual effects like Windows Flip and Windows Flip3D.

This makes the DWM process a crucial a part of your Windows system that ought to be running on your computer. However, this doesn’t mean that the method can’t cause issues, performance drops, or maybe carry malware.

What Does DWM.exe do?

Desktop Window Manager supports and manages the graphical interface of various versions of Windows like Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and now Windows 10. the most job of DWM.exe is to enable hardware acceleration that supports Windows’s graphical interface or visual effects.

The Visual effects that DWM.exe supports include:

• The transparent or glass-like appearance.
• The Flip3D Alt-tab windows switcher.
• The rendering of every open window.

In addition, Desktop Window Manager can support other specific visual effects on desktops like Windows Flip, transparent windows, and live taskbar thumbnails.

Some users have noted situations where Desktop window manager high CPU or Desktop windows manager high memory. this is often a standard error, especially in Windows 10. you’ll turn the Desktop Window Manager off or on through the instrument panel .

DWM.exe File Information

Dwm.exe is an essential Windows system component and an integral part of File Explorer.

The file information of DWM.exe is as follows:

• File Name (internal name): dwm.exe
• Product Name: Desktop Window Manager
• Developer/Manufacturer: Microsoft Corporation
• Supported OS: Windows 10/8/7/XP
• Location: subfolder C:\Windows\System32 folder
• Known file size(s): 92,672 bytes or 81,920 bytes on Windows 10/8/7/XP.

Note: The dwm.exe is a digitally signed product by Microsoft, has no file information, and is not visible.

Is dmw.exe Virus?

Simply put, DMW.exe file isn’t an epidemic . truth dmw.exe file may be a safe software component from Microsoft and Windows system process. it’s the file executable for Desktop Window Manager.

But any good file could be infected with malware to disguise itself and evade detection.

For example, writers of malware programs deliberately give their processes an equivalent file name to evade detection. Some Viruses have an equivalent file name, like Artemis!A29094FF4DC2 (detected by McAfee) and Backdoor: Win32/Caphaw.H. Microsoft also detected a Trojan with an equivalent name as dmw.exe called TrojanDownloader: Win32/Deewomz.A.

To ensure that no malicious dwm.exe is running on your PC, you would like to scan your PC with quality antivirus software. Here at SoftwareKeep, we offer access to a spread of antivirus applications capable of detecting and disabling any virtual threat.

How to check if dwm.exe is safe or a Virus?

You cannot be sure if the dwm.exe process running on your computer is a virus unless you find out. You can recognize whether the dwm.exe is a virus using the following steps:

1. Press the Win key + X key to open Windows Quick Menu.
2. From the list, click Task Manager.
3. Under the processes tab, find the Desktop Window Manager (dwm.exe)
4. Right-click on it > choose Open file location.
5. Check if the dwm.exe file is in the C:\Windows\System32 folder.
   1. If the file is located in the correct folder, then it isn’t a virus. Your device is safe.
   2. If the file is located in any different folder, it’s malware. Proceed with caution and acquire antivirus software as soon as possible.
6. If it is in that folder then it isn’t a virus. Otherwise, it is a virus if:

Alternatively, you’ll also scrutinize the dwm.exe file for malware infections under the subsequent circumstances:

• If dwm.exe is found during a subfolder of the user’s profile folder. Malware posing as Windows processes won’t be located within the correct “system32” folder. confirm to thoroughly investigate the file location using the tactic above.
• If the file size is greater than the typical file size. File size helps you identify if the dwm.exe process running on your computer may be a virus. The file size should be small, sometimes negligible. If it’s larger than the known file size, you would like to scrutinize it more because it are often an epidemic .
• If the dwm.exe process is employing a ton of resources. Malware, typically crypto-miners and Trojans use tons of your computer’s resources after successfully infecting it. If the dwm.exe process is displaying high CPU or RAM, it’s going to be an epidemic .

Why is dwm.exe Using High CPU?

If the Desktop Windows Manager shows high CPU or uses many memory, you’ll think it’s an epidemic . While it’s a possible scenario, usually, it isn’t an epidemic .

Malware, temporary explorer bug, bad driver, a bug in 3rd party software, or maybe a nefarious mdi264.dll are known causes of dwm.exe using high CPU or memory.

The dwm.exe CPU usage increases as you open more Windows programs, sometimes using several megabytes, which is normal. If you notice the Desktop window manager high CPU after closing most programs, you’ll got to take action.

Can I Disable dwm.exe?

Yes, you’ll disable dwm.exe in older Windows versions. But it’s not advisable to delete or disable the dwm.exe file due to its importance to Windows systems.

If you’re trying to maximise the computer’s performance or are concerned about what proportion memory the dwm.exe process is using, you’ll disable it.

If you’re using Windows Vista, you’ll disable dwm.exe, which can , in turn, close up all the Windows visual effects (in Windows Vista. the method , however, becomes a more integral a part of Windows, beginning with Windows 7, and disabling it on any OS beginning with Windows 7 can affect your graphical interface .

How to Disable DWM.exe on Windows Vista or 7

If you need to disable dwm.exe in Windows Vista or 7 you can use the following steps:

1. Click Start to open the Windows Start menu.
2. Type services > click the Services app.
3. In the Services window, locate and double-click Desktop Windows Manager.
4. In the Desktop Windows Manager window, click Stop to disable the service.
5. If you want dwm.exe never to start when Windows loads, change the Startup type option from Automatic to Disabled. Use the following steps:
   1. Click the Start Menu > Type services.msc.
   2. In the list of items, click the Services program.
   3. In the services management window, Right-Click Desktop Window Manager > Click Properties > go to the General tab.
   4. Now under Startup, Select Disabled, and underneath that, Click Stop.
   5. To finish, click OK.

Note: If you opted to disable dwm.exe, you’d notice that it also disables all Windows themes. The classic Windows look is for a few people, except for most, it’s a touch dull. If you would like to revert or enable dwm.exe, return into services.msc and set the startup type to Automatic.

How to Remove dwm.exe Windows 10

To remove dwm.exe from your computer, carry out the following steps one by one:

Note: This procedure will uninstall dwm.exe if it was part of the software installed on your computer.

1. If the file is a part of a software program, it will have an uninstall program. Run the uninstaller located at the following directory:
   1. C:Program Files > Microsoft Windows Operating System > Manager de ferestre desktop > Desktop Window Manager > dwm.exe_uninstall.ex.
2. If the dwm.exe was installed using the Windows Installer, follow this process to uninstall it:
   1. Go to System Settings.
   2. Open Add Or Remove Programs Option.
   3. Search for dwm.exe or the software name Manager de ferestre desktop in the search bar.
   4. Then click on it and select the Uninstall Program option.
   5. This will remove the dwm.exe file from your computer.

Note that disabling dwm.exe also disables support for all Windows Vista themes, forcing you to use the classic theme. If you would like to revert, you’ll got to re-enable dwm.exe by going back to Services and setting the startup type to Automatic.

If dmw.exe was using high memory and causing PC slowdown, removing it can help improve your PC speed.

How to Fix dwm.exe Error and High CPU usage on Windows 10

Disabling the dwm.exe service isn’t recommended or possible on systems released after Windows Vista. due to this, troubleshooting errors and high resource usage associated with the method requires different methods.

The procedures below will assist you fix dwm.exe using high CPU or high memory. Some methods may require you to possess administrative permissions to perform them.

1] Scan your Computer for Malware

If the dwm.exe is using high CPU power or memory, it’d flow from to malware like computer viruses, hidden crypto-currency miners, and spyware. during this case, you want to use an antivirus application to scan your device and detect threats.

First, scan your computer using the built-in Windows Defender application on Windows 10.

1. Press Windows Key + I.
2. Select Updates & Security.
3. Click Windows security.
4. Click the Virus & threat protection option.
5. Now, click Scan options under Quick Scan.
6. Select Full Scan.
   
7. Click Scan now.
8. Wait for Windows Defender to finish scanning your computer. If any threats are detected, you’ll be presented with the choice to take action.

You may also want to scan your computer employing a good quality, premium antivirus application. After first scanning your PC using Windows Defender, use third-party software, like ESET NOD32 Antivirus V11, to conduct a full PC scan.

You may got to scan your computer employing a quality antivirus. you’ll first scan your PC using Windows Defender then use a 3rd party AV software, like Malwarebytes, to conduct a full PC scan.

2] Restart explorer.exe process

Restarting the explorer.exe is a simple workaround to help stop dwm.exe using high RAM.

Use the following steps to restart explorer.exe:

1. Right-click Windows Start to open Quick Menu.
2. Select Task Manager.
3. Go to the Details tab.
4. Locate explorer.exe > right-click it > choose End Task.
5. Now go to File > Run a new task.
   
6. Enter explorer and click OK.

3] Update display adapters Drivers

If dwm.exe is using high RAM or CPU, updating display drivers can help sort the issue.

Use the following procedure to update graphics drivers:

1. Press Win key + X to open Quick Menu.
2. Select Device Manager.
3. Locate and expand Display adapters > then right-click your video driver.
4. Now, choose Update Driver.
5. Select Search automatically for drivers.
   
6. Wait for the update to complete, then restart your PC.

4] Adjust Performance Options

It’s possible that your PC’s current performance settings affect the DWM. You can adjust your performance options to fix the DWM high CPU error using the following steps:

1. Press Wins Key + S > type performance in the search box.
2. Click Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows.
3. In the Performance Options window, go to the Visual Effects tab.
4. Now, check to Adjust for best performance.
   
5. Now, click Apply and OK to save changes, then restart your computer.

5] Run SFC and DISM scans

If all those procedures fail to fix the dwm.exe error, you can run the SFC utility scan to repair damaged or missing system files.

To run the SFC and DISM scan, follow these steps:

1. 1. Press Wins Key + S > type cmd to open the command prompt.
   2. On the command prompt app click Run as administrator.
   3. Type the following command and press Enter: sfc/ scannow
      
   4. Wait for the process to finish (it could take a while).
   5. Now, type the following commands (press Enter after each command);
      
      1. DISM /online /Cleanup-Image / ScanHealth, 
      2. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
   6. Wait for the process to complete (it could take several minutes).
   7. Restart your computer.

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