Quick Answer
webroot-ui is a legitimate Webroot user interface component. It provides the graphical controls for status, scans, protections, and configurations and communicates with the core Webroot protection engine.
Is it a Virus?
NO - Safe
Must be located in C:\Program Files\Webroot\WebrootUI and associated with Webroot, Inc.
Warning
UI processes can spawn when protection is active
WebrootUI.exe communicates with core services; heavy UI activity may reflect ongoing scans or updates
Can I Disable?
YES
You can close the Webroot UI, then disable startup to prevent auto-launch
What is webroot-ui?
webroot-ui is the Webroot SecureAnywhere user interface component responsible for presenting the protection status, actions, and configuration options to the user. It runs as a lightweight process that coordinates with the core security services to display real-time alerts, scan results, and settings.
Webroot UI delegates heavy work to the protection engine while rendering dashboards, notifications, and controls. It uses IPC to request scan status, update definitions, and apply user preferences, ensuring a responsive experience without performing heavy scanning itself.
Quick Fact: The UI layer in Webroot is designed to minimize resource use while delivering immediate feedback on threats and system health.
Types of Webroot UI Processes
- UI Engine: Renders dashboards and control panels for protection status and settings
- Dashboard Loader: Fetches real-time protection status and recent events for display
- Settings Processor: Applies user preferences and config changes to the core engine
- Notification Service: Displays alerts and prompts from the protection system
- Telemetry Hook: Sends non-sensitive usage data to Webroot servers for product improvement
- Background Sync: Keeps UI in sync with cloud protection data and definition updates
Is webroot-ui Safe?
Yes, webroot-ui is safe when it is the legitimate Webroot UI component installed from official sources (Webroot installer or the Webroot Control Panel).
Is webroot-ui a Virus or Malware?
The real webroot-ui is NOT a virus. Malware may mimic names, so verify the file location and signature.
How to Tell if webroot-ui is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Webroot\WebrootUI\webroot-ui.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Webroot\WebrootUI\webroot-ui.exe. Any webroot-ui.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show 'Webroot, Inc.' as signer.
- Resource Usage: Normal UI activity uses low CPU (2-12%) and modest memory (60-180 MB). Consistent, high idle usage warrants inspection.
- Behavior: The UI should launch with the protection suite and display status, not run autonomously without the core services.
Red Flags: If webroot-ui.exe is located in unusual folders (Temp, AppData, or System32), runs without Webroot services, lacks a valid signature, or shows unusual network activity, scan immediately with Webroot or another security tool.
Why Is webroot-ui Running on My PC?
webroot-ui runs to present protection status, prompts actions, and allow user interaction with Webroot SecureAnywhere. It may also start during system boot to show health checks and quick actions.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Protection UI: You are viewing or interacting with protection status; the UI updates as threats and events occur.
- Background Scans and Updates: UI is kept in sync with core protection scans and definition updates, reflecting progress and results.
- Startup Initialization: Webroot UI may start automatically at login to show health and status immediately.
- Notifications and Alerts: The UI needs to run to display critical alerts, recommendations, and prompts for user action.
- Telemetry and Performance Data: UI components collect non-sensitive telemetry and performance data to improve the product and user experience.
Can I Disable or Remove webroot-ui?
Yes, you can disable webroot-ui. It is safe to stop the UI when not needed, and you can disable or remove the UI component if you prefer a different security setup.
How to Stop webroot-ui
- Close the UI: Click the X on the Webroot UI window or choose Exit from the tray icon.
- End UI Process: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find webroot-ui.exe, right-click -> End Task.
- Prevent Startup: Task Manager -> Startup tab -> Disable Webroot UI or Webroot SecureAnywhere UI.
- Stop Background Run: Open Webroot control panel, disable 'Run in background' or equivalent setting if present.
- Uninstall UI Component: Windows Settings -> Apps -> Webroot UI -> Uninstall; keep core protection if desired.
How to Uninstall Webroot UI
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Webroot UI → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Webroot UI → Uninstall
- ✔ If removing only the UI, ensure the core Webroot SecureAnywhere remains installed or reinstall the suite as needed
Common Problems: UI Delays, Crashes, or High Resource Use
If webroot-ui is slow, unresponsive, or consuming resources excessively, consider the following causes and fixes specific to the Webroot UI component.
Common Causes & Solutions
- UI is waiting on core protection data: Ensure the core Webroot services are running; restart Webroot SecureAnywhere to re-sync the UI with engine state.
- Outdated UI version: Update the UI via the Webroot control panel or website to the latest version.
- Conflicting software: Disable or uninstall other security tools that may conflict with Webroot processes and UI rendering.
- Corrupted UI cache: Clear UI cache or reinstall the UI component from Programs and Features.
- Heavy background telemetry: Limit non-essential telemetry in UI settings or pause non-critical data collection if available.
- Resource contention: Close other high-CPU apps; ensure system has sufficient RAM; consider scheduling intensive tasks during idle periods.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Webroot UI -> check protection status and recent events for anomalies
2. Restart Webroot SecureAnywhere services from Control Panel
3. Update Webroot UI to the latest version
4. Run a full system scan to verify no threats are affecting the UI
5. Clear UI cache and restart the computer if issues persist
Frequently Asked Questions
Is webroot-ui a virus or malware?
No. webroot-ui is the legitimate user interface for Webroot SecureAnywhere. Verify its location as C:\Program Files\Webroot\WebrootUI\webroot-ui.exe and ensure the signature shows Webroot, Inc.
Why is webroot-ui using CPU when the app is closed?
If the Webroot core services are active, the UI may still run background tasks to display last-known status. Check the tray icon, and ensure the UI isn’t stuck in a startup loop or awaiting a signature update.
Can I disable webroot-ui without affecting protection?
Yes. You can close the UI and disable startup. The core protection engine can continue running as a service; you can re-enable the UI later to view status and controls.
How do I uninstall Webroot UI?
Go to Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Webroot UI → Uninstall. You may also uninstall the entire Webroot suite if you don’t need protection anymore.
Where is webroot-ui located on disk?
Typically in C:\Program Files\Webroot\WebrootUI or C:\Program Files (x86)\Webroot\WebrootUI. Always verify the executable is named webroot-ui.exe and signed by Webroot, Inc.
What should I do if webroot-ui crashes frequently?
Restart the UI and core services, update to the latest version, disable conflicting software, and perform a full system scan. If issues persist, reinstall the UI component or contact Webroot support.