mpassvc.exe

Microsoft Passport Service (mpassvc.exe)

System ServiceSafeAuthentication Service

CPU Usage

0-3%

Memory

20-120 MB

Location

System32

Publisher

Microsoft Corporation

Quick Answer

mpassvc.exe is a legitimate Microsoft service. It supports Windows Hello and Microsoft account sign‑in by handling authentication tokens in the background.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be located in C:\Windows\System32\mpassvc.exe or C:\Windows\SysWOW64\mpassvc.exe

Warning

Multiple mpassvc.exe processes may appear

Usually tied to authentication tasks; persistent unusual activity may indicate malware

Can I Disable?

✔ NO (not recommended)

Disabling may break Windows Hello and Microsoft account sign‑in

What is mpassvc.exe?

mpassvc.exe is the Microsoft Passport service executable used by Windows Hello and Microsoft account sign‑in. It runs in the background to manage authentication tokens, credential prompts, and secure sign‑in handshakes. The process enables passwordless logins and token refresh across apps and services.

mpassvc.exe implements the Microsoft Passport/Hello authentication framework. It coordinates token issuance, validation, and renewal by contacting Microsoft identity services and the local credential provider, while keeping sensitive data isolated in sandboxed contexts.

Quick Fact: Microsoft introduced Passport-based authentication to streamline sign‑in without passwords, with mpassvc.exe orchestrating token lifecycles.

Types of Passport Processes

System Service: Core mpassvc service that runs at system level to manage tokens
Token Renewal: Background task handling token refresh for signed-in apps
Credential Provider Interface: Interacts with Windows Hello and sign-in prompts
Windows Sign-in: Engages during user logon for passwordless access
Sync & Verification: Synchronizes sign-in tokens with the Microsoft identity platform

Is mpassvc.exe Safe?

Yes, mpassvc.exe is safe when it exists in the legitimate Microsoft System32 path and is digitally signed by Microsoft.

Is mpassvc.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real mpassvc.exe is NOT a virus. Malware may mimic names, so verify path and signature.

How to Tell if mpassvc.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Windows\System32\mpassvc.exe or C:\Windows\SysWOW64\mpassvc.exe. Any other path is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the file in File Explorer or Task Manager -> Open file location -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show "Microsoft Corporation".
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 0-3% CPU per instance, 20-120 MB total memory. Constant heavy resource use warrants inspection.
Behavior: Should run as a system service tied to authentication events (logon/sign-in). If it runs constantly without sign-in activity, scan.

Red Flags: If mpassvc.exe is located outside System32/SysWOW64, runs without login events, has no digital signature, or uses excessive resources, run antivirus and verify with Windows updates. Look for similarly named files like 'mpassvcx.exe'.

Why Is mpassvc.exe Running on My PC?

mpassvc.exe runs as part of Windows Hello and the Microsoft Passport system to enable passwordless sign-in and token management. It may start at login and operate in the background during sign-in activities.

Reasons it's running:

User Sign-in with Windows Hello: Windows Hello authentication requires token retrieval and session setup, spawning mpassvc.exe processes.
Background Token Refresh: MPASSVC handles refreshing tokens for apps and services without prompting for passwords.
Credential Provider Activation: mpassvc interacts with the Windows Credential Provider during sign-in prompts.
System Startup for Sign-in: The service can start at boot to enable instant sign-in readiness.
Enterprise SSO and Sign-in: In corporate environments, mpassvc coordinates sign-in with Azure AD or Active Directory services.

Can I Disable or Remove mpassvc.exe?

Disabling mpassvc.exe is not recommended. It is required for Windows Hello and Microsoft account sign-in. You can disable related startup options or sign-in behavior, but you may lose passwordless features.

How to Stop mpassvc.exe

Disable Sign-in Options: In Windows Settings, disable Windows Hello sign-in features where appropriate.
Disable Startup: Use Task Manager > Startup tab to disable related sign-in services.
Check Group Policy: For enterprise, configure policy to restrict sign-in methods.
Revoke Credentials: Clear cached sign-in data in Windows Credential Manager if needed.
Reinstall Windows Hello Components: If sign-in issues persist, repair Windows Hello components via Windows Update or system repair tools.

How to Remove mpassvc.exe

✔ Do not uninstall; this is a core system service. If you must, you would typically need to disable related Windows Hello features or components via Settings or Group Policy, and it may affect sign-in.

Common Problems: Sign-in and Resource Usage

If mpassvc.exe is causing issues, review sign-in settings, token lifecycles, and ensure Windows updates are applied.

Common Causes & Solutions

High CPU during sign-in: Check Windows Hello configuration and ensure no conflicting credential providers or outdated drivers.
Memory spike after login: Let it stabilize after sign-in. If persistent, run SFC/ DISM or reset sign-in credentials.
mpassvc.exe not starting at boot: Verify service startup type and Group Policy settings; ensure required Windows components are enabled.
Event Viewer errors related to mpassvc: Review Event Viewer logs; reinstall or repair Windows Hello components; apply latest updates.
Digital signature warnings: Check file integrity, verify Microsoft signature, run antivirus scan.
Conflicts with Azure AD sign-in: Check Azure AD connect and sign-in policies; update credentials and tokens.

Quick Fixes:
1. Open Windows Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and verify Windows Hello is configured.
2. Run Windows Update to ensure all components are current.
3. Review Task Manager for sign-in related mpassvc.exe activity and close unnecessary prompts.
4. Clear cached credentials using Credential Manager if sign-in fails.
5. Restart PC to reinitialize the Passport service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is mpassvc.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate mpassvc.exe from Microsoft is not a virus. It should be located in C:\Windows\System32\mpassvc.exe and digitally signed by Microsoft Corporation.

What is mpassvc.exe used for?

mpassvc.exe is the Microsoft Passport service that enables Windows Hello and Microsoft account sign-in by managing authentication tokens in the background.

Can I disable mpassvc.exe?

Disabling is not recommended because it enables passwordless sign-in. You can adjust sign-in options but may lose convenience features.

Why does mpassvc.exe start at Windows login?

To enable passwordless sign-in immediately upon sign-in, the Passport service may start during boot or at user login.

How do I fix mpassvc.exe high CPU usage?

Check Windows Hello settings, disable conflicting providers, ensure drivers are up to date, and run Windows Update; if needed reset sign-in credentials.

Can mpassvc.exe be safely removed?

It is a core system component for Windows sign-in. Do not remove; instead adjust sign-in options or update Windows components.