What Is Ctfmon.exe and Can I Disable It on Windows 10 PC? expert guide

If you’re seeing ctfmon.exe in Task Manager taking up a lot of memory or CPU usage, it may worry you. You may ask should ctfmon be running? Is it a virus? Can I disable it? On the other hand, some would be wondering how to enable it. Find out the answers to these questions and more details about Ctfmon.exe below.

What is Ctfmon.exe?

Ctfmon.exe is a Windows process and operates Alternative User Input Text Input Processor (TIP) and Microsoft Office Language bar. In simple words, it handles typing-related tasks on Windows and MS Office.

It is an essential process for Windows 10 and, if deactivated, your keyboard might not work on the Start menu, lock screen, Cortana, and other apps. You might also find it difficult to type if you have activated any other language than English on your keyboard.

Also found as CTF Loader in Windows 10 processes, ctfmon.exe also operates speech typing, handwriting typing, and other input methods.

Where To Find CTF Loader on Microsoft Windows 10?

CTF Loader is usually in the System32 or SysWOW64 folder of your installation drive. Here’s how you can find the location of CTF Loader on Windows 7, 8.1, 10, and 11.

1. Right-click on the Taskbar and select ‘Task Manager.

2. Scroll down to find CTF Loader or click on any process and type ‘CTF’ to find CTF Loader.

3. Right-click on CTF Loader and select ‘Open file location’.

4. It will take you to its location. It will either be:

C:\Windows\System32 or C:\Windows\SysWOW64.

Is Ctfmon.exe a Virus or Malware?

As explained, Ctfmon.exe is a Windows Process and it’s not a virus or malware. It handles typing-related tasks on your computer. However, some viruses can disguise as ctfmon to avoid detection. This is why it is recommended to check the location of CTF Loader if you’re concerned.

You can find the steps for checking the location of ctfmon above. If ctfmon is in the System32 or SysWOW64 folder, then it’s the genuine Windows file. But if it’s in any other location, then run an antivirus scan and remove it. For example, you should be alarmed if it’s in C:\Windows or C:\Program Files.

Why Does Ctfmon.exe Windows Process File Keep Running?

Ctfmon.exe keeps running because it’s an essential process in Windows 10. Without it, the keyboard on many Microsoft apps might not work. It’s usually harmless, but if you’re seeing high memory or CPU usage of ctfmon or frequent error messages, we will give fixes in this guide.

What Are CTF Loader Error Messages?

If the ctfmon file is corrupted, disabled, or deleted, you will see ctfmon error messages such as ‘ctfmon.exe could not be found’ or something similar related to ctfmon. These errors occur when Windows needed to load ctfmon but couldn’t find it in its location. In some cases, Windows may not be able to start correctly due to the ctfmon.exe error.

What is the Ctfmon.exe High Memory Usage Problem?

If you see on Task Manager that CTF Loader is taking up a lot of memory, the file is corrupted, infected, or another virus is posing as CTF Loader and causing damage to the PC.

How To Fix Ctfmon.exe Errors and High Memory Usage Problems on Windows 10?

Below are the solutions for ctmon.exe error messages on Windows 10.

1. Run an Antivirus Scan
2. Reset Your Computer
3. System Restore
4. Run an SFC Scan (For Ctfmon.exe not found error)
5. Update Your PC
6. Disable Ctfmon.exe (For High CPU Usage Problem)
7. Delete the Ctfmon Files (For High Memory Usage Problem)
8. Reset Your PC (And Delete All of Your Files)

Fix 1: Run an Antivirus Scan

You should download and install a reliable antivirus if you don’t already have one. After that, open the antivirus, look for security or scans and run a full system scan. It will take some time to scan your computer.

Fix 2: Reset Your Computer

Ctfmon.exe not found error and high CPU usage of ctfmon can be solved by resetting your PC.

1. Press Windows key + I to go to Settings.
2. Select ‘Update & Security’.
3. Click ‘Recovery’ from the left pane.

4. Under ‘Reset this PC’, click ‘Get Started’.

5. It might ask for admin permission. Grant it.
6. Choose ‘Keep my files’.

7. It will now show you what will be deleted. Click ‘Reset’.

Fix 3: System Restore

If your PC was running okay at a certain time and the ctfmon error or high memory usage problem started recently, you can restore your computer to an earlier state when this error wasn’t happening. You can do this if your Window has a restore point to revert back to.

1. Press Windows key + S and type ‘Control Panel’.
2. Click ‘Recovery’.
3. Now select ‘Open System Restore’.

4. Click ‘Next’.
5. Choose a system restore point and click ‘Next’.
6. When it’s complete, click ‘Finish’ and restart your computer.

Fix 4: Run an SFC Scan (For Ctfmon.exe not found error)

An SFC Scan will scan for file problems and will try to fix them.

1. Click Start and type cmd.
2. Select ‘Run as administrator’ and click ‘Yes’ if prompted.
3. Now type sfc /scannow and enter.

4. Wait for it to complete scans and fixes.

Fix 5: Update Your PC

Updating your Windows might patch the old corrupted or missing files with new ones. So, it can resolve the ctfmon error or high memory usage problem.

1. Press Windows key + I.
2. In Settings, select ‘Update & Security’.
3. Click ‘Check for Updates’.

Fix 6: Disable Ctfmon.exe (For High CPU Usage Problem)

If it’s using too much CPU or memory to be noticed or slow down your computer, you can opt to disable it. Disabling CTF Loader is not recommended but you can proceed if you are sure.

1. Press Windows key + Run.
2. Type services.msc and hit enter.
3. Now scroll down to find ‘Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service’.

4. Right-click on it and select ‘Properties’.
5. Click the down-down menu next to ‘Startup type’ and select ‘Disabled’.

Fix 7: Delete the Ctfmon Files (For High Memory Usage Problem)

If the memory usage of CTF Loader is annoying and you can’t find any other way, delete the ctfmon files

1. Go to:\Windows\System32 or C:\Windows\SysWOW64
2. Find Ctfmon.exe and right-click.
3. Select ‘Delete’ while pressing and holding the Shift key.
4. Click ‘Yes’.

Fix 8: Reset Your PC (And Delete All of Your Files)

If the reset option in Fix 1 didn’t work, try to reset your PC again. But this time, select the option to remove all of your personal data on the drive as well where Windows is installed.

1. Press Windows key + I.
2. Click ‘Update & Security’.
3. Select ‘Recovery’ from the sidebar.
4. Find ‘Reset this PC’ and click ‘Get Started’.
5. Click ‘Remove everything’. (This will delete your data on drive C).

6. Follow the instructions on the menu. It will restart your computer.

How To Disable Ctfmon.exe on Windows 10?

If ctfmon is causing high memory usage or you suspect that it is a virus, you can disable it on Windows 7, 8.1, 10, and 11. Disabling of CTF Loader is not recommended because you might not be able to type in Start menu, Edge, lock screen. Furthermore, you may not be able to use any handwriting devices or speech typing features. Before disabling, try some of the applicable fixes mentioned above. If they don’t work, then follow these methods to disable ctfmon.

1. End Ctfmon.exe Process.
2. Disable Ctfmon.exe from Administrative Tools.
3. Disable Ctfmon.exe Service on Windows 10 from Startup Settings.
4. Completely Disable Ctfmon.

Method 1: End Ctfmon.exe Process

If you’re not sure and want to check what happens if you disable ctfmon, you should use this method. This will disable CTF Loader for one session (if it doesn’t start itself again in the same session). When you sign out or restart your computer, ctfmon may start again.

1. Right-click on the taskbar and select ‘Task Manager.
2. Go to the ‘Details’ tab.
3. Find ctfmon.exe in the list.

4. Right-click ctfmon.exe and select ‘End process tree’ and confirm.

Method 2: Disable Ctfmon.exe from Administrative Tools

This disables CTF loader and stops it from consuming your PC memory. 

1. Click Start and type ‘Control Panel’.
2. In the search bar at the top right corner, type ‘Administrative Tools’.
3. Now double click ‘Service’.
4. Scroll down the Services window and find ‘Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service’.
5. Right-click it and go to ‘Properties’.
6. You will see ‘Startup Type’. Set it to ‘Disabled’.

Method 3: Disable Ctfmon.exe Service on Windows 10 from Startup Settings

We will disable ctfmon from the startup options on the task manager.

1. Right-click the taskbar and select ‘Task Manager’.
2. Go to the ‘Startup’ tab.

1. Find CTF Loader, right-click it and select ‘Disable’.

Method 4: Completely Disable Ctfmon

If you are 100% sure about disabling ctfmon and want it to never run on your computer again, use this method. This will completely disable ctfmon.exe by unregistering its DLL files. These files help programs run. If they are not registered, the program can’t run.

1. Press Windows key + R on your keyboard.
2. Now copy-paste regsvr32.exe /u msimtf.dll and press enter.

3. After this, copy-paste regsvr32.exe /u msctf.dll and press enter.

Now, ctfmon.exe can’t run because Windows can’t recognize it.

How To Enable Ctfmon.exe on Startup?

If you want to enable ctfmon.exe because you can’t type in the Start menu, lock screen, Edge, Cortana search box, and other Microsoft Store apps, follow these methods.

1. Paste Ctfmon.exe Manually in the Startup Menu Folder
2. Enable Ctfmon from Task Scheduler
3. Add Ctfmon to Startup from Registry Editor

Method 1: Paste Ctfmon.exe Manually in the Startup Menu Folder

1. Press Windows key + R and go to: C\Windows\System32 or C:\Windows\SysWOW64
2. Find ctfmon.exe.
3. Right-click on it, hover the mouse cursor over ‘Send to’ and then click ‘Desktop (create shortcut). It will send a shortcut of the ctfmon file on your desktop.
4. Press Windows key + R again and paste shell:common startup on it and hit enter. It will open the Startup folder.
5. Now right-click the ctfmon.exe shortcut on your desktop and click ‘Cut’.
6. Go to the Startup folder, right-click anywhere and click ‘Paste’.
7. Restart your computer.

Method 2: Enable Ctfmon from Task Scheduler

1. Press Windows key + S and type ‘Task Scheduler’.
2. Click ‘Run as administrator’.
3. In the sidebar at the left, click the small arrow ‘>’ next to Task Scheduler Library.
4. Now click ‘>’ next to Microsoft.
5. Click ‘>’ next to Windows.
6. Scroll down and find ‘TextServicesFramework’.

7. Right -click ‘MsCtfMonitor’ and click ‘Enable’.
8. Restart your PC.

Method 3: Add Ctfmon to Startup from Registry Editor

We will create a registry of ctfmon.exe and save it in Registry Editor so it runs CTF Loader any time the system starts.

1. Find the location of ctfmon.exe on your computer. It’s either C:\Windows\System32 or C:\Windows\SysWOW64.
2. Press Windows key + R and type ‘Regedit’ and hit enter.
3. Now copy-paste this location to the small white bar below the menu bar and hit enter:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.

4. Right-click anywhere in the middle pane. Select ‘New’ and then click ‘String Value’.

5. Name the new file ‘ctfmon’.
6. Right-click ‘ctfmon’ and click ‘Modify’.
7. Enter the location of ctfmon in there and click OK.
8. Now restart your computer.

Conclusion

Ctfmon.exe is a Windows process that helps in typing in Microsoft apps like the Start menu, Cortana, and others. You can fix ctfmon issues with the above guide or enable it if you can’t type in Microsoft apps.

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