Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be in C:\Program Files\Widcomm\Bluetooth Software or C:\Program Files (x86)\Widcomm\Bluetooth Software
Warning
Multiple processes normal
Each Bluetooth service or profile (HID, A2DP, HFP) may run as a separate process
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Disabling Bluetooth via Windows Settings or the Widcomm control panel will stop the service and related processes
What is widcomm.exe?
widcomm.exe is the core executable of the Widcomm Bluetooth Software stack on Windows. It coordinates the radio control, device discovery, pairing, and profile services, spawning separate processes for connectivity, HID, A2DP, and data transport to provide stable wireless communication with peripherals.
On Windows, widcomm.exe runs as part of the Widcomm Bluetooth stack to initialize the radio, manage connections, and provide profiles (HID, A2DP, HFP). It modularizes tasks into sub-processes for stability and security while enabling Bluetooth features.
Quick Fact: Widcomm pioneered Bluetooth stack modularization, separating pairing, profile handling, and radio control to improve reliability across devices.
Types of Widcomm Processes
- Radio Control Process: Manages Bluetooth radio state, scanning, and connection attempts
- Profile Handler Process: Handles HID, A2DP, HFP and other Bluetooth profiles
- SDP/Discovery Service: Service discovery and service data management
- Driver Loader Process: Loads and initializes Widcomm Bluetooth drivers
- Background Utilities: Keep-alive, polling, and maintenance tasks
Is widcomm.exe Safe?
Yes, widcomm.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Widcomm/Broadcom or a vendor-provided Bluetooth package installed from official sources.
Is widcomm.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real widcomm.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware sometimes disguises itself using similar names to trick users.
How to Tell if widcomm.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Widcomm\Bluetooth Software\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Widcomm\Bluetooth Software\. Any widcomm.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click widcomm.exe → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "Widcomm, Inc." as the signer.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 0-6% CPU per background task and 50-200 MB total memory. Unusually high usage when idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: Widcomm.exe should run primarily when Bluetooth is active. Continuous background activity when Bluetooth is disabled may indicate malware.
Red Flags: If widcomm.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData, or System32), starts when Bluetooth is off, has no valid digital signature, or uses excessive resources constantly, scan your system with antivirus software. Be wary of similarly-named files.
Why Is widcomm.exe Running on My PC?
widcomm.exe runs as part of the Widcomm Bluetooth Software stack to provide radio control, device discovery, pairing, and profile services. It may run in the background to keep Bluetooth ready when devices are nearby.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Bluetooth Use: Bluetooth is enabled and actively scanning or pairing devices, which starts the Widcomm processes.
- Background Services: Background tasks for device discovery, connection maintenance, and profile handling keep devices reachable without user intervention.
- Startup Configuration: Widcomm components are configured to start with Windows to provide immediate Bluetooth availability after login.
- Peripheral Connectivity: Pairing, reconnection, or audio streaming (A2DP/HFP) requires ongoing background activity.
- System Tray and Notifications: Bluetooth status icons and quick action utilities may spawn related processes to monitor and control devices.
Can I Disable or Remove widcomm.exe?
Yes, you can disable widcomm.exe. It's safe to turn off Bluetooth when not in use, and you can uninstall Widcomm Bluetooth Software if you prefer another stack.
How to Stop widcomm.exe
- Stop Bluetooth Service: Open Services (services.msc), locate 'Widcomm Bluetooth Service' or 'BTStackServer', and stop the service.
- Disable Startup: Open Task Manager → Startup, find Widcomm/Bluetooth entries, and Disable.
- Turn Off Bluetooth: Click the Bluetooth icon in the system tray and set Bluetooth to Off.
- Uninstall Widcomm Software: Windows Settings → Apps → Widcomm Bluetooth Software → Uninstall (or use the original installer to modify components).
- Remove Drivers: Device Manager → Bluetooth → Widcomm devices → Uninstall device and choose Delete driver software to ensure clean removal.
How to Uninstall Widcomm Bluetooth Software
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Widcomm Bluetooth Software → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Widcomm Bluetooth Software → Uninstall
- ✔ Restart the computer after removal and verify Bluetooth is not restored by the removed stack
Common Problems: Bluetooth Discovery, Pairing, or Performance
If widcomm.exe or the Widcomm stack misbehaves, try the following causes and solutions to restore reliable Bluetooth functionality.
Common Causes & Solutions
- Outdated or corrupt Widcomm drivers: Update to the latest Widcomm Bluetooth Software from the device vendor or manufacturer support site.
- Heavy background device scanning: Disable unnecessary paired devices and close unused Bluetooth peripherals; reduce continuous discovery in the Widcomm settings.
- Driver conflicts with another Bluetooth stack: Uninstall other Bluetooth stacks and ensure only the Widcomm stack or the preferred stack is installed.
- USB Bluetooth dongle hardware issues: Re-seat the dongle, test on another USB port, or replace the dongle if disconnects persist.
- Power or battery saving settings: Disable battery optimization for Bluetooth or enable 'Always-on' Bluetooth wake in device power settings.
- Corrupted profile configuration: Remove problematic device pairings and re-pair; reset profile settings if available in the Widcomm control panel.
Quick Fixes:
1. Use Windows Settings → Bluetooth to toggle Bluetooth off and back on
2. Update Widcomm Software to the latest version
3. Unpair and re-pair troublesome devices
4. Restart the Widcomm Bluetooth Service
5. Run a driver update or reinstall the Bluetooth stack if issues persist
Frequently Asked Questions
Is widcomm.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate widcomm.exe from Widcomm/Broadcom is not a virus. Verify the file path (C:\Program Files\Widcomm\Bluetooth Software\) and a valid digital signature from 'Widcomm, Inc.'
Why is widcomm.exe using so much CPU?
High CPU can occur during active scanning, pairing, or audio streaming. Check active devices in the Widcomm control panel and reduce active connections; ensure drivers are up to date.
Can I delete widcomm.exe?
Uninstall Widcomm Bluetooth Software through Windows Settings if you no longer need Bluetooth support. Deleting the executable without removing the software can leave a broken stack.
Can I disable widcomm.exe?
Yes. Disable Bluetooth in Windows Settings or stop the Widcomm service via services.msc to prevent it from running at startup or in the background.
Why is widcomm.exe running at startup?
The Widcomm stack is often configured to start with Windows to provide immediate Bluetooth availability when you log in.
Where is widcomm.exe located?
Typically in C:\Program Files\Widcomm\Bluetooth Software\widcomm.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Widcomm\Bluetooth Software\widcomm.exe. Verify the path to ensure legitimacy.