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Search For Processes

Unknown
Safe
User Optional
Unwanted
Spyware / Adware
Virus

Prevalence

Percentage of recently scanned PC's with this process running: 8.13%
Average CPU use for this program: 0%
Average RAM for this program: 29 MB

Identification

In addition to the file name, dwm.exe, the following version information is used to identify the file. If the file does not match this information, it may be a different file. To ensure the file is absolutely correct, run a free and comprehensive scan.

To view version information with Windows Explorer, right-click the file and click Properties, Version.

Vendor or Distributor's Web Site

http://www.microsoft.com/

Detailed Description and/or Removal Instructions

http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/dwm.exe.html

PC Pitstop Analysis

Dwm.exe is Vista's Desktop Window Manager. Shutdown will cause loss of special effects.

dwm.exe  is a user invoked program and a normal part of PC operations. No action required.

PC Pitstop recommends WinPatrol Plus for monitoring all of the background activity on your PC. WinPatrol Plus provides an easy to understand descriptions of over 15,000 processes and programs.

MD5 Hashes

MD5 hashes is the way that computers can define the uniqueness of a file. Anti malware vendors frequently use this technique to detect and clean malware. It is common for a program to have multiple MD5 hashes as the developers create newer versions of the program. For the program called dwm.exe, we have detected more than 10 different MD5 hashes. Click on a hash to research the hash in Google.

Try a free diagnostic now

PC Pitstop is the undisputed leader in PC diagnostics. Our running process library is culled from our database of over 100 million PC diagnostics and scans.

To find the latest driver for your computer we recommend running our Free Driver Scan.

Find out how to make your computer faster by running our Free Performance Scan.

Tips from the PitCrew

Every process running on your computer takes up CPU cycles and valuable memory. For optimal PC performance and resource utilization, you should be aware of every process on your computer. PC Pitstop designed this process library to help you know which processes are worthwhile and others that slow system performance.

Important Note

A file name alone may not be enough for positive identification. PC Pitstop's Overdrive tests and spyware scan use information such as the company name, product name, or install directory.

If you are unable to identify a file, ask about it in our forums after running our full tests.