# OpenWith.exe

Windows Process: Microsoft Corporation

Also called openwith, open with

Windows, System Component

Open with dialog. Windows starts it when a file type has no app or you chose Open with. It is not the app you pick.

## What you need to know

This is the Open with list, not notepad.exe or WINWORD.EXE.

OpenWith.exe is the association picker. Ending it cancels the choice. It does not change file types until you pick and confirm.

- **Safe?**: Yes. You opened Open with

  **Is it the editor?**: No. The app you pick is a different exe

  **Should I end it?**: The dialog closes

Feex says

If Open with is on screen, I pick an app. I do not end notepad.exe unless I already opened a file in it.

## What is OpenWith.exe?

OpenWith.exe is the Windows Open with executable.

## What does it do?

It lists registered apps for a file extension. The program you choose starts as its own process.

## Why is it running?

A double-click had no default, or you used the Open with menu. It should exit after you choose.

## Is it safe?

Usually safe

System32 OpenWith.exe is the Microsoft association dialog. An OpenWith.exe attached to email or sitting in Downloads is not that dialog and should not be run.

A legitimate copy normally runs from:

`C:\Windows\System32\OpenWith.exe`

- Association UI
- Chosen app is a different image
- Defaults live in Settings

## Can I end it?

Cancels Open with

Ending OpenWith.exe closes the list without writing a new default. notepad.exe or WINWORD.EXE only start if you already picked them.

## Can I remove it?

No

Do not delete OpenWith.exe. Unknown extensions lose the supported picker. Change defaults in Settings > Apps instead.

## Should it start with Windows?

On demand. Not Startup Apps.

## Normal resource behavior

These are contextual labels, not universal averages.

- **CPU**: Low

  **Memory**: Small

  **Disk**: Registry association reads

  **Network**: Store suggestions if shown

## File information

| Executable name        | OpenWith.exe                     |
| ---------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| Common legitimate path | C:\Windows\System32\OpenWith.exe |
| Publisher              | Microsoft Corporation            |
| Signature expectation  | Signed by Microsoft Windows      |

## Common problems

### Wrong default after a pick

Settings > Apps > Default apps. OpenWith already exited.

### Loop of Open with

The file type has a broken association. Fix defaults, do not delete OpenWith.

## Troubleshooting

Diagnose before you change anything destructive.

### Settings > Default apps

The lasting map.

### Do not replace OpenWith

System file.

## Technical details

Technical details

| Image name | OpenWith.exe     |
| ---------- | ---------------- |
| Role       | Open with dialog |

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[notepad.exe: Application Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/notepad.exe)[PickerHost.exe: Windows Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/pickerhost.exe)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [Microsoft Support: open with ](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/change-default-programs-in-windows)· File associations
- [Microsoft Learn: Windows ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows)· Primary Windows documentation
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

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Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Type**: Windows Process

  **Publisher**: Microsoft Corporation

  **Executable**: OpenWith.exe

  **Typical path**: C:\Windows\System32\OpenWith.exe

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/process/openwith.exe/)

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