Quick Answer
wt.exe is safe. It’s the Windows Terminal host process that runs multiple shells (PowerShell, CMD, or WSL) in tabs and panes.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be located in C:\Windows\System32\wt.exe or in the WindowsApps folder under Microsoft.WindowsTerminal_*. This ensures legitimate Microsoft signing.
Warning
Many subprocesses normal
Each shell tab spawns a separate process (e.g., powershell.exe, pwsh.exe, cmd.exe).
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
You can close Terminal windows or disable startup, then WT won’t launch automatically.
What is wt.exe?
wt.exe is the Windows Terminal host executable. It coordinates the terminal UI, manages multiple tabs and panes, and launches individual shell processes (PowerShell, Command Prompt, or WSL) within the terminal session.
Windows Terminal uses a multi-process architecture: wt.exe acts as the host and starts separate shell processes for each tab, while a GPU-accelerated renderer draws the UI. This design improves responsiveness and isolation between shells.
Quick Fact: Windows Terminal supports multiple shells in one window, tabbed navigation, panes, and GPU-accelerated rendering for smooth performance.
Types of wt Processes
- Main Terminal Process: wt.exe acts as the host UI, managing tabs, panes, and profiles.
- Shell Process: Each tab runs a shell (powershell.exe, pwsh.exe, or cmd.exe) as a separate process.
- WSL/Remote Shell Process: WSL integration uses wsl.exe to run Linux shells inside WT.
- GPU/Renderer Process: Rendering pipeline uses GPU acceleration to draw terminal content.
- Utility/Background Task: Background tasks like update checks or session services may run under WT.
Is wt.exe Safe?
Yes, wt.exe is safe when it is the legitimate Windows Terminal host from Microsoft and located in trusted directories (e.g., C:\Windows\System32\wt.exe or the WindowsApps path).
Is wt.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real wt.exe is NOT a virus. Malware sometimes mimics names like wt.exe; always verify location and digital signature.
How to Tell if wt.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in C:\Windows\System32\wt.exe or in C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps\wt.exe. Any wt.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click wt.exe → in File Explorer -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show 'Microsoft Windows' or 'Microsoft Corporation'.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-15% CPU per shell, 100-400 MB memory. Constant high resource use when WT is idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: wt.exe should launch shells only when you open Windows Terminal. Unexpected autonomous spawning indicates malware.
Red Flags: If wt.exe is located outside standard folders (e.g., Temp, AppData\Roaming), runs without you opening Terminal, has no valid digital signature, or consumes resources constantly, scan with antivirus. Be wary of similarly named files like "wtx.exe" or "wt32.exe" from untrusted sources.
Why Is wt.exe Running on My PC?
wt.exe runs to host Windows Terminal sessions. It starts when you open Windows Terminal or when a shell is launched from within WT. It may also run in the background if WT is configured to stay resident.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Terminal Sessions: You have one or more WT tabs open; each shell creates a separate child process under wt.exe.
- Background Shells: WT can keep shells running in background tabs or panes for quick access or job continuations.
- Startup Launch: Windows might be configured to launch Windows Terminal on sign-in, keeping wt.exe resident after logon.
- WSL or Remote Sessions: Launching WSL or remote shells (via SSH) from WT causes additional shell processes under wt.exe.
- Profile and Script Auto-Start: Certain profiles or startup scripts may auto-start shells when WT initializes.
Can I Disable or Remove wt.exe?
Yes, you can disable wt.exe. It's safe to close Windows Terminal when not in use, and you can disable startup or remove the app if you prefer another terminal.
How to Stop wt.exe
- Close Tabs: Use the X on each tab or press Ctrl+Shift+W to close the current tab.
- Close Terminal Window: Close the terminal window with Alt+F4 or the close button.
- End WT Process: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find wt.exe, right-click -> End Task.
- Disable Startup: Task Manager > Startup tab > Disable Windows Terminal.
- Stop Background Runs: In Windows Settings > Apps > Startup, disable Windows Terminal to prevent background launches.
How to Uninstall Windows Terminal
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Windows Terminal → Uninstall
- ✔ PowerShell (Admin) > Get-AppxPackage *WindowsTerminal* | Remove-AppxPackage
- ✔ Consider alternative terminals: PowerShell ISE (deprecated), Console2, or third-party terminals
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If wt.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Too Many Shells Open: Close unused WT tabs or panes; each shell consumes resources.
- Background Shells or Long-Running Tasks: Identify heavy shells in WT and terminate or suspend them.
- WSL/SSH Sessions: Limit running WSL distributions or SSH sessions; close heavy Linux shells.
- Outdated WT Version: Update Windows Terminal to the latest version via Microsoft Store or Winget.
- GPU Acceleration Issues: Disable hardware acceleration in WT Settings: Settings > Rendering > Disable GPU acceleration.
- Corrupt Settings File: Reset settings by deleting settings.json or renaming it; WT will recreate a clean config on restart.
Quick Fixes:
1. Close unused tabs with Ctrl+Shift+W
2. Close WT and reopen to reset sessions
3. Check for updates: Settings > Help > Check for updates
4. Disable GPU acceleration in Settings if issues persist
5. Delete or reset settings.json to revert to default configuration
Frequently Asked Questions
Is wt.exe a virus?
No—the legitimate Windows Terminal host (wt.exe) is provided by Microsoft. Ensure the file is located at C:\Windows\System32\wt.exe or within the WindowsApps folder and has a valid Microsoft signature.
Why is wt.exe using so much CPU?
High CPU can be caused by heavy shells, complex scripts, or a stuck tab. Use WT task manager (Ctrl+Shift+W) to identify the culprit, then close or optimize the script.
Can I delete wt.exe?
You can uninstall Windows Terminal from Settings → Apps. Note that this removes the terminal app; you can reinstall from the Microsoft Store if you need it again.
Can I disable wt.exe?
Yes. Close Windows Terminal and disable startup via Task Manager. This prevents WT from launching automatically at sign-in.
Why does WT start at login?
Windows may be configured to launch Windows Terminal on sign-in or by startup tasks. Disable it in Task Manager > Startup to prevent auto-launch.
Where is wt.exe located?
Common locations include C:\Windows\System32\wt.exe and the WindowsApps folder (e.g., C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.WindowsTerminal_*. This helps verify legitimacy.