# TabTip.exe

Windows Process: Microsoft Corporation

Also called tabtip, touch keyboard, tablet input panel

Windows, System Component

Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel (Text Input). It is the on-screen touch keyboard process, not TextInputHost.exe and not ctfmon.exe.

## What you need to know

TabTip is the touch keyboard, not ctfmon and not TextInputHost.

TabTip.exe is the Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel. The usual path is Common Files\microsoft shared\ink. TextInputHost.exe is Windows Input Experience (emoji, voice typing, newer panels). ctfmon.exe is the Text Services Framework loader. Ending TabTip hides the touch keyboard, not the language bar.

- **Safe?**: Yes. It is the touch keyboard

  **Same as TextInputHost?**: No. That is Input Experience

  **Same as ctfmon?**: No. ctfmon is CTF Loader

Feex says

If the touch keyboard stuck on my tablet, I end TabTip. I do not kill ctfmon for that, and I do not reset TextInputHost unless Win+. is the broken surface.

## What is TabTip.exe?

TabTip.exe is the touch keyboard. The Text Input Panel lives under Common Files\microsoft shared\ink. It is not ctfmon.exe and it is not TextInputHost.exe.

## What does it do?

It draws the finger keyboard and handwriting canvas. TextInputHost.exe hosts emoji, voice typing, and newer Input Experience surfaces. ctfmon.exe keeps TSF / the language bar alive.

## Why is it running?

You tapped a text field in tablet mode, docked the touch keyboard, or a pen woke handwriting. A desktop PC can still start TabTip if the touch keyboard is set to show.

## Is it safe?

Usually safe

The ink-folder TabTip.exe is Microsoft. A TabTip.exe in a "keyboard skin" zip is not. This is still the touch keyboard, not Input Experience and not CTF Loader.

A legitimate copy normally runs from:

`C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ink\TabTip.exe`

- Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel
- Input Experience: TextInputHost.exe
- CTF Loader: ctfmon.exe

## Can I end it?

Hides the touch keyboard

Ending TabTip.exe closes the touch keyboard until something starts it again. Emoji (TextInputHost) and the language bar (ctfmon) can stay.

## Can I remove it?

No

Do not delete TabTip.exe. Turn the touch keyboard off in Settings if you do not want it. Removing TextInputHost does not uninstall TabTip.

## Should it start with Windows?

Tablet input or a touch field starts it. You can hide the keyboard icon in the taskbar. That is not ctfmon.

## Normal resource behavior

These are contextual labels, not universal averages.

- **CPU**: Low unless handwriting recognition is running

  **Memory**: Small to moderate for a UI host

  **Disk**: Low

  **Network**: None for the local keyboard

## File information

| Executable name        | TabTip.exe                                                    |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Common legitimate path | C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ink\TabTip.exe |
| Publisher              | Microsoft Corporation                                         |
| Signature expectation  | Signed by Microsoft Windows                                   |

## Common problems

### Keyboard covers the taskbar and will not dismiss

End TabTip, then use Settings > Time & language > Typing > Touch keyboard. Ending ctfmon will not tuck this panel away.

### Confused with the OSK

osk.exe is the classic On-Screen Keyboard. TabTip is the touch keyboard. TextInputHost is Input Experience.

## Troubleshooting

Diagnose before you change anything destructive.

### Settings for the touch keyboard, not language

Time & language > Typing > Touch keyboard, or the taskbar icon. Language bar issues belong to ctfmon.

### Split emoji and voice from this process

Win+. and voice typing are TextInputHost on current Windows. If those are stuck, restart that host, not TabTip.

## Technical details

Technical details

| Image name | TabTip.exe                           |
| ---------- | ------------------------------------ |
| Role       | Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel |

## Related

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

[TextInputHost.exe: Windows Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/textinputhost.exe)[ctfmon.exe: Windows Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/ctfmon.exe)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager)

## Sources and verification

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

- [Microsoft Learn: touch keyboard ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-hardware/design/component-guidelines/touch-keyboard)· Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel
- [Microsoft Support: touch keyboard ](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/use-the-touch-keyboard-in-windows)· Show or hide the touch keyboard
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.

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**: TabTip.exe

  **Typical path**: C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ink\TabTip.exe

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

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

---

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

[Developer guide](https://feex.it/wiki/developers/) | [API policy](https://feex.it/developers/api-policy/) | [Agent guidance](https://feex.it/wiki/llms.txt)