# PowerToys.Awake.exe

Application Process: Microsoft Corporation

Also called powertoys awake, awake, powertoys.awake

Windows, Application

PowerToys Awake. It keeps the PC from sleeping on a timer or until you stop it. It is not PowerLauncher.

## What you need to know

Awake blocks sleep, it is not PowerLauncher.

PowerToys.Awake.exe is the keep-awake utility. It can hold the display or the system awake. PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe is Run. Ending Awake does not close Alt+Space.

- **Safe?**: Yes, from PowerToys Awake

  **Is it Run?**: No. PowerLauncher is Run

  **Why is sleep blocked?**: Awake is on

Feex says

If the PC will not sleep and Awake is on the list, I turn that module off. I do not disable PowerLauncher to fix sleep.

## What is PowerToys.Awake.exe?

PowerToys.Awake.exe blocks sleep. It is not PowerLauncher. Run still lives in PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe. Windows sleep settings still live in Settings > System > Power.

## What does it do?

It calls Windows power APIs so the PC stays awake for a duration or indefinitely. It does not launch apps. PowerLauncher does that.

## Why is it running?

You enabled Awake, or a tray toggle left it on after a long job. A forgotten "keep awake indefinitely" is why a laptop never sleeps.

## Is it safe?

Usually safe

A Microsoft-signed Awake under PowerToys is the utility. Awake.exe in a "prevent sleep" zip is not. This is still not PowerLauncher.

A legitimate copy normally runs from:

`C:\Program Files\PowerToys\PowerToys.Awake.exe`

- Keep-awake module
- Tray coffee-cup icon is this utility on many builds
- Not PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe

## Can I end it?

Sleep can resume

Ending Awake drops the keep-awake request. Run can stay. Use the Awake tray toggle if you only wanted sleep back.

## Can I remove it?

Turn off Awake, or uninstall PowerToys

Disable Awake in PowerToys Settings. Do not delete PowerLauncher.exe to restore sleep.

## Should it start with Windows?

The runner starts Awake when the module is on. A keep-awake session can last past a logon if you set that.

## Normal resource behavior

These are contextual labels, not universal averages.

- **CPU**: Idle

  **Memory**: Tiny

  **Disk**: None

  **Network**: None

## File information

| Executable name        | PowerToys.Awake.exe                            |
| ---------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| Common legitimate path | C:\Program Files\PowerToys\PowerToys.Awake.exe |
| Publisher              | Microsoft Corporation                          |
| Signature expectation  | Signed by Microsoft Windows                    |

## Common problems

### Laptop stays hot overnight

Check the Awake tray state. PowerLauncher will not hold sleep. Windows power settings are the other half.

### People blame a "hidden launcher"

Awake has no Alt+Space box. If you see a search flyout, that is PowerLauncher or CmdPal.

## Troubleshooting

Diagnose before you change anything destructive.

### PowerToys Settings > Awake, or the tray cup icon

Switch to Off or a timed mode. That is this process. Run settings will not change sleep.

### Confirm Windows sleep still allows sleep

Settings > System > Power. If Awake is off and the PC still never sleeps, the article is power settings or another app, not PowerLauncher.

## Technical details

Technical details

| Image name | PowerToys.Awake.exe                |
| ---------- | ---------------------------------- |
| Role       | PowerToys Awake keep-awake utility |

## Related

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

[PowerToys.exe: Application Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/powertoys.exe)[PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe: Application Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/powertoys.powerlauncher.exe)[What is a Windows process: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/what-is-a-windows-process)

## Sources and verification

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

- [Microsoft Learn: Awake ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/powertoys/awake)· Keep-awake utility, not Run
- [Microsoft Support: sleep ](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/change-sleep-settings)· Windows sleep is separate from Awake
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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Quick facts

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

- **Type**: Application Process

  **Publisher**: Microsoft Corporation

  **Executable**: PowerToys.Awake.exe

  **Typical path**: C:\Program Files\PowerToys\PowerToys.Awake.exe

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

  **Related process**: [PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe](https://feex.it/wiki/process/powertoys.powerlauncher.exe)

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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

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