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Learn how to protect your Windows PC from malware and other threats.Application Control
Control your PC apps and their behaviors.What’s that .exe?
Is that executable safe, or a threat?SpyShelter PC Protection
Learn how to protect your PC from bad apps.Registry Protection
Protect your Windows Registry from harm.Executable Directory
Our ultimate directory of Windows PC executables.I'm not a Microsoft Windows Widget fan... but maybe you are. Regardless, WidgetService.exe is a legitimate process made by Microsoft if you've just found it on your Windows PC Task Manager, and you're worried about it... Just double check it's actually signed by Microsoft and you should be good to go.
WidgetService.exe is responsible for managing and executing various widgets and gadgets on the desktop. These widgets provide users with real-time information and quick access to frequently used functions such as weather updates, news feeds, and calendar events.
WidgetService.exe runs in the background, continually monitoring and updating the widgets as necessary. While it can enhance the user experience by providing convenient and useful tools, it may also consume resources and slow down the system in some cases. Users can choose to disable or uninstall widgets to improve performance if needed.
Below are 4 simple steps you can take to see if the WidgetService.exe process is safe or malware.
Researched by Carl @ SpyShelter Labs
A Trojan is a harmful software that pretends to be a legitimate program or file to deceive users into downloading it. It can steal personal information, damage files, or give hackers control over the infected device.
Download SpyShelter to see detailed safety information about every .exe on your PC.
Check your PC for threatsWe’ve found Microsoft Windows should be the publisher of WidgetService.exe.
How do we know? Our SpyShelter cybersecurity labs focuses on monitoring different types of Windows PC executables and their behaviors for our popular SpyShelter Antispyware software. Learn more about us, and how our cybersecurity team studies Windows PC executables/processes.
The publisher of an executable is the entity responsible for its distribution and authenticity. Most processes/executables on your PC should be signed. The signature on the executable should have been verified through a third party whose job it is to make sure the entity is who it says it is. Find an unsigned executable? You should consider scanning any completely unsigned .exe on your PC.
Our team at SpyShelter has been studying Windows PC executables for over 15 years, to help fight against spyware, malware, and other threats. SpyShelter has been featured in publications like The Register, PC Magazine, and many others. Now we’re working to share free, actionable, and easy to understand information about Windows executables (processes) with the world, to help as many people as possible keep their devices safe. Learn more about us on our "About SpyShelter” page.
Have any questions? Please join our free public SpyShelter PC Security Forum and talk cybersecurity with our USA-based team. We love talking about PC Security and we’d like to get to know you.
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