wowexec.exe

[fjf314]

I was looking at my processes under the Task Manager, when I came across one called wowexec.exe that had no Memory Usage listed. That, and the fact that there is a space in front of it in the Task Manager (it's listed as " wowexec.exe" instead of "wowexec.exe") are making me pretty sure that this isn't supposed to be on my system. I'm going run several different virus scanners now and see if they come up with anything, but I figured that I would post anyway and see if anyone could provide me with more information.

 

[Smilin]

Stands for Win16 on Win32.

It's a thunker (yes, real word). It thunks 16 bit code up to 32 bit so you can run older apps on a new 32bit cpu.

Depending on what code is running, you may also see ntvdm (NT virtual dos machine) running.

There is also a thunker for running 32bit code on 64bit with Windows 64.


I'm also betting that space in front of it isn't really a space. Task manager is simply indenting because it's running under something.

 

[Taz480]

Don't mess with it. Leave it alone. Its a Windows System file.

"WOWEXEC.EXE - Handles the loading of 16-bit Windows-based applications."

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;105992

-or-

http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/processlibrary/wowexec/

Now as far as the space in front of it, I have seen that in some of the processes on mine. I think it is just like a console tree dropdown but without the + and - icons. Like it is a subprocess of the process above it. ....does that make sense?

 

[fjf314]

Thanks a lot for the help guys. I ran my scanners in Safe Mode (and yes, I always keep my scanners up to date) and they didn't turn up anything. I did run a few searches for the process online, and I got the things that you guys have said. I was mainly confused about the lack of memory and the space in front of it, I honestly didn't even think that it could have been indented because it was running under something else. Again, thanks a lot for the help in clearing this up for me, I really appreciate it.