Cftmon.exe

[espguitarguy232]

So i have a process running called ctfmon.exe. I just installed windows and need to know if this process comes up in one of the updates because from what i understand this is a microsoft office app, but i do not currently have it installed. Virus scan did not come up with anything, so is this process supposed to be running?

 

[pat mcgroin]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/282599

 

[aford10]

It's a valid system process that performs a variety of functions. I have seen people with viruses that disguise as ctfmon, but since you just installed windows, it should be legit.

 

[espguitarguy232]

Pat, I checked how to disable it but i do not have office installed on my computer but i do have outlook installed because it came with windows, which ctfmon.exe is listed as being associated with. Is it legitimately associated with outlook express and does anyone know how to disable it? Thanks

 

[pat mcgroin]

I think you can go into msconfig and turn it off.
Im on Vista right now so I cant check.

 

[aford10]

Quoted from Pats link:

Removing Ctfmon.exe from MSConfig does not disable Ctfmon.exe. For more information about disabling Ctfmon.exe, refer to the "Can I remove the Ctfmon.exe file?" section earlier in this article.

Can I Remove the Ctfmon.exe File?
Removing the Ctfmon.exe might cause problematic behavior in your Office XP programs, so removing it is not recommended. To prevent Ctfmon.exe from running, follow these steps.

Step 1: Uninstall Alternative User Input
To uninstall the alternative user input feature, set the installation state to Not Available in Office XP Setup.

1. Quit all Office programs.
2. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. NOTE: In Windows XP, click Start and then click Control Panel.

3. In Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs.NOTE: In Windows XP, click Add or Remove Programs.

4. In the Currently installed programs list, click to select Microsoft Office XP product, where Office XP product is the name of the specific Office product being used. If you are using a standalone version of one of the Office programs, click to select the appropriate product in the list. Click Change.
5. In the Maintenance Mode Options dialog box, select Add or Remove Features, and then click Next. This displays the Choose installation options for all Office applications and tools dialog box.
6. Click the plus sign (+) next to Office Shared Features to expand it.
7. Click the icon next to Alternative User Input, and then select Not Available.
8. Click Update.

 

[espguitarguy232]

Thanks for your reply. I saw that part and when i entered add/remove programs the office xp product program did not even exist in the available programs list...

 

[pat mcgroin]

See line 4 from above
Outlook is the Office App.