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

"cmd.exe - Windows Command Processor" process represents a command line window you are running on the desktop.

"cmd.exe" process is created by "explorer.exe" when you launch a command line window.

On the Processes tab of "Task Manager", multiple "cmd.exe" processes may be listed as:

Image Name  PID   Memory  Description

cmd.exe     5024  125 K   Windows Command Processor
cmd.exe     5452  144 K   Windows Command Processor

Additional information about "cmd.exe" process:

Command line:
   C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe
   
Started by: explorer.exe

Files used:
   C:\Users\fyicenter
   C:\Windows\System32\en-US\cmd.exe.mui

Registry keys: 
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Nls\Sorting\Versions
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Session Manager
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Nls\Locale
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Nls\Language Groups

"cmd.exe" process is not a virus. You should not terminate "cmd.exe" process. It will go away after you close the command line window.

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