The genuine pythonw.exe file is a software component of Python by Python Software Foundation. Pythonw.exe is an executable file that belongs to the Python, a high-level programming language which supports object-oriented, imperative and functional programming or procedural programming styles. This process runs graphical interface applications without launching a system shell. It also allows python to be run from the command prompt. This is not a critical Windows component and should be removed if known to cause problems.
Python was developed in the late 1980s by Guido van Rossum, a Dutch computer programmer. It was built around a core philosophy of being easy to read and implement. Python was first released in 1991 and was named after Monty Python. Python is currently developed and maintained by the Python Software Foundation, a non-profit organization launched on March 6, 2001.
Pythonw stands for Run Python without a terminal window
The .exe extension on a filename indicates an executable file. Executable files may, in some cases, harm your computer. Therefore, please read below to decide for yourself whether the pythonw.exe on your computer is a Trojan that you should remove, or whether it is a file belonging to the Windows operating system or to a trusted application.
Description: Pythonw.exe is not essential for the Windows OS and causes relatively few problems. Pythonw.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder—generally C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\PBot\python\ or C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python36-32\.
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 27,648 bytes (45% of all occurrences), 95,760 bytes and 12 more variants.
The pythonw.exe file is not a Windows system file. The application starts upon Windows startup (see Registry key: Run, TaskScheduler, User Shell Folders, MACHINE\Run, RunOnce).
The program is not visible. There is no file information.
pythonw.exe appears to be a compressed file.
Therefore the technical security rating is 77% dangerous, however you should also read the user reviews.
Uninstalling this variant:
If you still experience problems with pythonw.exe, you can remove the entire program Python 3.6.8 Executables or setupsk using Windows Control Panel.
If pythonw.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files", the security rating is 73% dangerous. The file size is 95,760 bytes (35% of all occurrences), 27,648 bytes and 9 more variants.
Pythonw.exe is not a Windows core file. The program is not visible. The file is certified by a trustworthy company. The process listens for or sends data on open ports to a LAN or the Internet.
pythonw.exe appears to be a compressed file.
If pythonw.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\, the security rating is 53% dangerous. The file size is 41,472 bytes (30% of all occurrences), 27,136 bytes and 4 more variants.
There is no file information. The program has no visible window. The pythonw.exe file is not a Windows system file.
Uninstalling this variant:
If you still experience problems with pythonw.exe, you can remove the entire program Python or Python 3.5.2 Executables using Windows Control Panel.
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as pythonw.exe. Therefore, you should check the pythonw.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.
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User Comments
I know that the software to link above I paid for to get rid of the pythonw.exe has stopped working problem was of no help. Only lined someones pockets as the problem is still there and I am unable to run some programs. Heather
nix geht mehr
It's from the Python runtime. It's for a programming language Seth (further information)
pythonw.exe is leftovers from python programming code, can not cause virus or anything harmful unless python is installed onto your machine Nicholas Robert Butkus (further information)
pythonw allows python to be run from the command prompt. See link below for more information, and search on the page for "pythonw" DW (further information)
This is the version of python.exe that runs graphical interface applications-- it doesn't launch a system shell; Learn more about Python and how Python is not a virus but a programming language at www.python.org; really silly false positive. Nicolai Mork (further information)
It's true pythonw is from python programs, but I closed python module and all associated programs, and there are 6 pythonw process in my task manager. Might be a hacker's way of camouflaging? IDK loldog (further information)
I need it to install gramps family tree builder on windows 7 Gert Jordaan
I hoped pythonw would execute a .py or .pyw program without a DOS window. It does not, seems worthless but harmless. WW Boxer
It's just the binary for the python programming language interpreter. No more suspicious than a file called word.exe. Program might be written in python without you thinking about it, and this file will then be installed and executing. anders (further information)
Python is a programming language. A python script is executed by python.exe by default, but if you want to suppress the terminal window, the pythonw.exe is used. Normally, it is harmless, More information on the Python doc. I added a link. Look for "3.3.4. Executing scripts" 0#1 (further information)
It runs python scripts without an interface. If you know what you are doing its totally safe.. Wardude
It runs python scripts without an interface. If you know what you are doing its totally safe.. Wardude
I actually use python as a programming language very often and as long as you have not installed malware disguising itself as the legitimate pythonw.exe then it is perfectly safe and is just used to run python GUI applications without opening a command-line-interface. Jack Snowdon (further information)
Show all user comments
Summary: Average user rating of pythonw.exe:
based on 22 votes with 17 user comments.
12 users think pythonw.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
3 users think it's probably harmless.
4 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
One user suspects danger.
2 users think pythonw.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
Best practices for resolving pythonw issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with pythonw. This means running a scan for malware, cleaning your hard drive using 1cleanmgr and 2sfc /scannow, 3uninstalling programs that you no longer need, checking for Autostart programs (using 4msconfig) and enabling Windows' 5Automatic Update. Always remember to perform periodic backups, or at least to set restore points.
Should you experience an actual problem, try to recall the last thing you did, or the last thing you installed before the problem appeared for the first time. Use the 6resmon command to identify the processes that are causing your problem. Even for serious problems, rather than reinstalling Windows, you are better off repairing of your installation or executing the 7DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command. This allows you to repair the operating system without losing data.
To get your computer running as fast as it did on day one, you can 8reset your PC. Your personal files will remain intact, but any programs you installed will need to be reinstalled.
To help you analyze the pythonw.exe process on your computer, the following programs have proven to be helpful: ASecurity Task Manager displays all running Windows tasks, including embedded hidden processes, such as keyboard and browser monitoring or Autostart entries. A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware or a Trojan. A good Bantivirus software detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, malware and trackers from your hard drive.
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User Comments
Heather
Seth (further information)
Nicholas Robert Butkus (further information)
PWNAGE (further information)
DW (further information)
Nicolai Mork (further information)
loldog (further information)
Gert Jordaan
WW Boxer
anders (further information)
0#1 (further information)
BJR (further information)
SpinCat360 (further information)
Wardude
Wardude
Jack Snowdon (further information)
Summary: Average user rating of pythonw.exe: based on 22 votes with 17 user comments. 12 users think pythonw.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 3 users think it's probably harmless. 4 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. One user suspects danger. 2 users think pythonw.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.