What is wowexec.exe?

Wowexec.exe is Windows Win16 Application Launcher.

This file is part of Microsoft® Windows(TM) Operating System. Wowexec.exe is developed by Microsoft Corporation. It’s a system and hidden file. Wowexec.exe is usually located in the %SYSTEM% sub-folder and its usual size is 10,368 bytes.

Wowexec.exe is used to launch 16-bit applications on Windows NT and newer versions of Windows. Wowexec.exe is launched by the ntvdm.exe process (Windows NT Virtual DOS Machine) to run 16-bit DOS applications on 32-bit operating systems (Windows 2000, NT, XP and onwards). The wowexec.exe process executes as soon as a 16-bit application is run. When the application is closed, wowexec.exe continues to run in the background, which can give an impression of an infection.

Important: viruses and malware often mask themselves as wowexec.exe. Scan your computer with Auslogics Antivirus to make sure it's not infected.