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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
Learn how to protect your PC from bad apps.Registry Protection
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.Need to run Linux command-line tools on your Windows PC? To do so, you'll probably need to run Microsoft's own wsl.exe Windows Subsystem for Linux process.
At our SpyShelter cybersecurity lab here in Austin, Texas, we found that wsl.exe usually shouldn't run, unless you're specifically using it. If you aren't using this process actively it could be worth running a free Windows Security (formerly known as Windows Defender) scan on your PC. Or, run our SpyShelter Antispyware software to investigate further. If everything looks OK, and as long as wsl.exe is signed by Microsoft Windows, it's probably safe to have on your PC.
wsl.exe, or Windows Subsystem for Linux, is a compatibility layer developed by Microsoft that allows users to run native Linux command-line tools directly on Windows. It enables Windows 10 to support a Linux kernel interface, allowing users to access and use Linux programs and tools without the need for a separate virtual machine or dual-boot system.
With wsl.exe, users can seamlessly integrate Linux with their Windows environment, providing a more flexible and versatile experience for developers and system administrators. This feature is particularly useful for those who require both Windows and Linux functionality in their work or personal computing tasks.
Below are 4 simple steps you can take to see if the wsl.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 wsl.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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