Process name: Microsoft Desktop Window Manager
Product: Windows Vista
Company: Microsoft
File: dwm.exe
Security Rating:

One of the new features in Windows Vista is the Desktop Window Manager (DWM). It responsible for the graphical effects such as live window previews and a glass-like frame around windows (Aero Glass), without draining your CPU. A DWM-capable graphics card is required to enable the 3D effects and Aero Glass. (In older Windows Vista Beta versions, the DWM effects are controlled by the User Experience Session Management Service via "uxss.exe".) You can increase the computer performance if you switch to Classic Mode (turn off Aero Glass and Animations), or reducing the screen resolution.

Note: The dwm.exe file is located in the folder C:\Windows\System32. In other cases, dwm.exe is a virus, spyware, trojan or worm! Check this with Security Task Manager.

Users Opinions

224 users ask for this file. 1 user didn't rate it ("don't know"). 45 users rated it as not dangerous. 6 users rated it as not so dangerous. 8 users rated it as neutral. 1 user rated it as little bit dangerous. 2 users rated it as dangerous.

All comments about dwm.exe: Dozier used for aero but takes a hella lot of resources. Vista Beta 2 x64, 64bit PC3200, 2gb of ram, Nvidia &800gt 256mb Nick Only a Windows Aero process for Windows Vista Max It can sometimes be heavy on CPU/Memory usage as it renders or runs out of resources. Ending it once will make it auto-restart itself - ending it again will make it permanently go and make the system use basic window management An important part of windows vista. J Tregre It uses 3X the memory of the next closest application burnsie87 It's a file that uses quite a lot of RAM but is harmless Josh Uses up to 5% CPU, needed for vista UI effects Miguel used for displaying smooth graphics and effects in vista w59cb83x Used For Aero Process for Vista Sam Inhibits the Fireworks CS3 Program Greg Microsoft Desktop Window Manager bozy uses up ram but i think its needed GeorgGG Cancel the Visul themes and U`ll be fine, Yea it takes a lot of RAM! Alkampfer Windows vista desktop manager  See also: Link Yoshi Used to draw video effects to the video card buffer. Requires DirectX 9 compatible card. Uses roughly 10% of system resources. Marco Aero, indeed eats a lot (50MB). However this could include mapped video mem (like X under Linux) Taurus takes too many resources for my liking even though i have 2GB ram.  See also: Link Steve works just fine with embedded graphics on dell c521 with 1.5gb ram DWard Appears to use around 60MB RAM on a basic load. If terminated, Windows Vista's Aero theme disappears and reveals the horrible Non-Aero theme. Alex It's for the Aero-fearure in Windows Vista. sotek.com.au It doesnt use much at all without Aero turned on Ibrahim I have a E6600/8800GTS and it doesn't cause me much resource loss kevlar Steuerung des Windows Aero Prozesses  See also: Link Darren rated as neutral, becasue it is dangerous, if you want to run any program that uses a lot of resources. Possibly make the program crash... Matt.H It really doesn't use that much memory in comparison to things like virus programs Ripa eating memory.... Peter Geisberts My AVG got him during the making of the virus umer takes about 65 - 70 MB of RAM, Very Resource hungry. abhijit Running Areo is like Running a 3D game. It will require huge resources. bb vista as it says dan its what gives windows vista the great look and cool functions but if you don't have alot of memory then can be a problem. Jaren Runs the visual effects of Windows Vista Aero Glass needed only... Dirk Window manager for Vista. Not harmful, but does take up lots of resources. davy d it seems to run and run an run my comp. never stops ticking over on startup Uses 40K of mem Danny Vista feature. Not a problem. It's clean. dennygee I am a Microsoft MCP and know this file poses no danger if you kill the process and windows aero turned on your screen will flash and aero will be turned off right then. This do not use alot of resources. If you are not using Vista and you have this process running that is NOT good run your AV software Chris dwm.exe is a Desktop Window Manager from Microsoft Corporation belonging to Microsoft® Windows® Operating System. dwm.exe is the Desktop Window Manager and is responsible for the graphical effects in Microsoft Windows Vista operating system such as 3D effects, live windows previews and windows transperancies. The Aero interface in Windows Vista can be quite taxing on system performace on certain computers and you can switch it off or reduce the screen resolution to increase performance. Christian Meinhold Windows Vistas Aero-GUI. Not dangerous unless located elsewhere than %systemroot%\System32 Sil3nt not at all dangerous...unless your computer is about to overheat i suppose Eddie As said above, but the system resources for Aero aren't as high as people thing. It's more like 1.5GHz with 512mb RAM and a nVidida 6600 or higher (or equivalent)  See also: Link hogs tons of sys memory John DWM.EXE is the Desktop Window Manager in Windows Vista Stan Want Vista's pretty aero glas interface? Then don't kill this process. As has already been pointed out, it has no danger apart from sucking system resources. Alex It seems to be the only app using processor time when the pc is idle.. If you know more about dwm.exe, share your knowledge and help other users. Security Rating:  --- don't know ---  1 (not dangerous)  2  3 (neutral)  4  5 (dangerous) What do you know about this file: Link for more details: Your Name:

More process information

Is dwm.exe spyware or a virus, trojans, adware or worm? Is there a known dwm.exe error?

• Google
• Discussion boards
• Search for spyware
• Spyware Doctor (spyware removal)
• Registry Booster (cleans, repairs and optimizes your Registry)
• Security Task Manager (understand what's running on your computer)

Other Processes

alg.exe audiodg.exe csrss.exe ctfmon.exe dllhost.exe dwm.exe explorer.exe internat.exe kernel32.dll logonui.exe lsass.exe lsm.exe mdm.exe mobsync.exe msmsgs.exe mssearch.exe mstask.exe penservice.exe regsvc.exe rundll32.exe sdclt.exe services.exe slsvc.exe slwinact.exe smss.exe spoolsv.exe svchost.exe system taskeng.exe wercon.exe winlogon.exe winmgmt.exe wmiexe.exe wmiprvse.exe wpcumi.exe wscntfy.exe wuauclt.exe wudfhost.exe
[dwm.exe in German] [all processes]