What is the "dwm.exe" process on Windows 8? Is the "dwm.exe" process a virus? Can I terminate the "dwm.exe" process?

"dwm.exe - Desktop Window Manager" process is responsible for the graphical effects such as live window previews and a glass-like frame around windows (Aero Glass), without draining your CPU. A DWM-capable graphics card is required to enable the 3D effects, as well as Aero Glass.

"dwm.exe" process is created by the "Desktop Window Manager Session Manager" service through "svchost.exe"

On the Processes tab of "Task Manager", "dwm.exe" process may be listed as:

Image Name  PID   Memory    Description

dwm.exe     916   51,116 K  Desktop Window Manager

Additional information about "dwm.exe" process:

Command line:
   C:\Windows\System32\dwm.exe
   
Started by: svchost.exe

Files used:
   C:\Windows\System32
   C:\Windows\Fonts\StaticCache.dat
   
Registry keys: 
   HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Nls\Sorting\Versions
   HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Session Manager
   HKCU\Software\Classes
   HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Nls\Locale
   HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Nls\Locale\Alternate Sorts
   HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Nls\Language Groups

"dwm.exe" process is not a virus. You should not terminate "dwm.exe" process.

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