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Learn how to protect your Windows PC from malware and other threats.Application Control
Control your PC apps and their behaviors.What’s that .exe?
Is that executable safe, or a threat?SpyShelter PC Protection
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Protect your Windows Registry from harm.How to prevent Screenshots
Learn how to prevent unauthorized Screenshots.Executable Directory
Our ultimate directory of Windows PC executables.Are Microsoft's "Widgets" ever going to catch on? I don't know anyone who uses these things on modern versions of Windows, but maybe I'm wrong. Regardless, it looks like we're going to be seeing this common executable on Windows PCs for awhile...
Widgets.exe is a safe executable as long as it's signed by Microsoft. I verified that this common Widgets process is running on all the PCs here at our SpyShelter cybersecurity lab in Austin, Texas.
Widgets.exe by Microsoft Windows is a process that is responsible for running the widgets and gadgets that appear on the desktop. These widgets can include things like clocks, calendars, weather updates, and other small applications that provide quick access to information and tools. The widgets are designed to provide users with easy access to helpful information and functionality without needing to open a separate application. Widgets.exe runs in the background, allowing the widgets to be displayed and updated as needed. While widgets can be useful, some users may choose to disable Widgets.exe if they find that it consumes too much system resources or if they simply do not use the widgets.
You can kill widgets.exe in your Windows Task Manager, or quarantine/terminate it with our free SpyShelter Antispyware app if you prefer. However, it's fine to just leave it humming along...
Below are 4 simple steps you can take to see if the Widgets.exe process is safe or malware.
Researched by Carl @ SpyShelter Labs
A Trojan is a harmful software that pretends to be a legitimate program or file to deceive users into downloading it. It can steal personal information, damage files, or give hackers control over the infected device.
Download SpyShelter to see detailed safety information about every .exe on your PC.
Check your PC for threatsWe’ve found Microsoft Windows should be the publisher of Widgets.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.
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.
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.
Have any questions? Please join our free public SpyShelter PC Security Forum and talk cybersecurity with our USA-based team. We love talking about PC Security and we’d like to get to know you.
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