igfxhk.exe

Intel Graphics HK Component

Application ProcessSafeGraphics Driver

CPU Usage

0.5-4%

Memory

8-60 MB

Location

C:\Windows\System32

Publisher

Intel Corporation

Quick Answer

igfxhk.exe is safe. It's part of Intel Graphics Driver, providing the Hong Kong locale UI and driver interactions for Intel integrated GPUs.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in C:\Windows\System32\igfxhk.exe

Warning

Many related processes

igfxhk.exe works with igfxtray.exe and igfxCUI.exe

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Disabling may degrade Intel graphics UI; you can disable startup from Task Manager or update driver instead

What is igfxhk.exe?

igfxhk.exe is part of the Intel Graphics Driver package and serves the Hong Kong locale UI for the Intel graphics control panel. It coordinates driver components, image processing tasks, and UI interactions for Intel integrated GPUs.

The process is tied to the graphics driver stack and handles UI elements, display settings, and background tasks. It communicates with the GPU driver to apply tweaks without compromising overall system stability.

Quick Fact: igfxhk.exe is commonly bundled with Intel's graphics software and may run at startup to ensure settings are ready when you log in.

Types of igfxhk Processes

UI Component: HK locale UI for Intel Graphics Command Center
Driver Helper: Coordinates with igfxCUI.exe and igfxTray.exe to apply settings
Background Task: Monitors driver state and applies tweaks in wake/sleep cycles

Is igfxhk.exe Safe?

Yes, igfxhk.exe is safe when it is the legitimate file from Intel downloaded from official sources (intel.com or through your graphics driver installation).

Is igfxhk.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real igfxhk.exe is NOT a virus. Malware can masquerade with similar names, so verify the path and digital signature.

How to Tell if igfxhk.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Windows\System32\igfxhk.exe. Any igfxhk.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click igfxhk.exe in Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show a valid Intel signature or 'Intel Corporation'.
Resource Usage: Normal usage is low; check Task Manager for unusual spikes or high memory usage.
Behavior: Should run as part of the Intel graphics driver stack. If not tied to Intel entries, scan for malware.

Red Flags: If igfxhk.exe is found in unusual folders (Temp, AppData), lacks a valid signature, or runs when the GPU is idle or disabled, scan for malware and update drivers.

Why Is igfxhk.exe Running on My PC?

igfxhk.exe runs as part of Intel Graphics Driver operations to manage locale-specific UI and GPU settings, and may run in the background for driver readiness.

Reasons it's running:

Active Graphics UI: The Intel Graphics Control Panel/UI is active to apply display settings and profile changes.
Background Driver Tasks: Background tasks coordinate with igfxTray and igfxCUI for performance and power profiles.
Startup Launch: Intel Graphics drivers often set igfxhk.exe to start with Windows for quick UI availability.
Display Hotkeys and Profiles: Hotkey handling and profile switching require the hk variant to respond promptly.
Hardware Acceleration Readiness: Keeps graphics acceleration settings ready, reducing delays when launching apps.

Can I Disable or Remove igfxhk.exe?

Yes, you can disable igfxhk.exe but it may impact Intel Graphics UI accessibility and some driver features. Consider updating drivers instead.

How to Stop igfxhk.exe

Disable Startup: Open Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Intel Graphics Driver UI components if available
Close UI: From the Intel Graphics Command Center, exit the UI to prevent related processes from running
End Processes: Open Task Manager → Details tab → right-click igfxhk.exe → End Task
Driver Update: Update or reinstall the Intel Graphics driver to reset startup processes
Group Policy: On managed systems, IT admins can disable automatic startup of Intel graphics UI via policy

How to Uninstall Intel Graphics Driver

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Intel Graphics Driver → Uninstall
✔ Restart the computer after uninstall
✔ Install a fresh driver from Intel's official site or use Windows Update to reinstall

Common Problems: High GPU UI and Driver Tasks

If igfxhk.exe is causing issues, review startup, UI activity, and driver settings. The following are common problems and fixes.

Common Causes & Solutions

Outdated Intel Graphics Driver: Update to the latest driver from Intel's official site; this often resolves UI and stability issues.
Multiple igfxhk.exe instances: End redundant processes via Task Manager or perform a clean driver reinstall.
Background UI running without user interaction: Disable background UI in Intel Graphics settings if available; otherwise, perform a clean install.
Corrupted UI profile: Reset UI settings from Intel Graphics Command Center or recreate profiles.
High GPU scheduling: Disable hardware acceleration in Windows settings if it causes issues.
Malware masquerading as igfxhk.exe: Scan the system with a reputable antivirus, verify digital signatures and path.

Quick Fixes:
1. Run Windows Update to ensure the latest Intel graphics driver
2. Open Intel Graphics Command Center and reset to defaults
3. Check Task Manager for igfxhk.exe resource usage and end tasks if needed
4. Reinstall the Intel Graphics driver from Intel's official site
5. Disable background UI in graphics settings if available

Frequently Asked Questions

Is igfxhk.exe a virus?

No, igfxhk.exe is part of the Intel Graphics Driver (HK locale UI). Verify path C:\Windows\System32\igfxhk.exe and signature from Intel Corporation.

Why is igfxhk.exe using CPU?

It handles UI tasks for the Intel Graphics Control Center and background driver tasks. If you notice high CPU, check for drivers or conflicting software.

Can I delete igfxhk.exe?

Deleting is not recommended; it is part of the graphics driver. You can uninstall the Intel Graphics Driver from Settings, then reinstall a fresh version.

How to update Intel graphics driver?

Visit Intel's official site or use Windows Update. Install the latest graphics driver package which includes igfxhk.exe components.

How to disable igfxhk.exe at startup?

Open Task Manager → Startup, locate Intel Graphics UI components or igfxhk.exe and disable them; reboot to apply.

What should I do if igfxhk.exe crashes?

Update graphics driver, run system file checker, and reinstall graphics software. If problems persist, check for motherboard or PCIe driver conflicts.