What is nwiz.exe?
The nwiz.exe process is a component of NVIDIA device drivers. Video cards using the NVIDIA chipset automatically install nwiz.exe, which helps in maximizing the capabilities of video display adapters that use the NVIDIA engine.
The nwiz.exe process provides users with additional features, such as 32 virtual desktops, desktop larger than the viewable area of the monitor, or expansion of the desktop across many computers.
Nwiz.exe – File Information
By default, the nwiz.exe file is located in the %System% folder. The most common size of the nwiz.exe file is 1,626,112 bytes. You may also find the file in 1,622,016, 921,600, 323,584, 1,495,040, 753,664, 741,376, 782,336, and 372,736 bytes sizes.
Note: %System% is a variable that points to your system folder. By default, for Windows XP/Vista it is C:\Windows\System 32, and for Windows NT/2000 it is C:\Winnt\System32, and for Windows 95/98/ME it is C:\Windows\System.
Nwiz.exe – Startup Information
By, default the nwiz.exe file loads automatically every time your computer starts. You can find entries related to the file in the registry in the following locations:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices)
Is it safe to disable nwiz.exe at Windows startup?
Yes, it is. Nwiz.exe is a non-essential startup process. You can safely remove nwiz.exe from your startup programs sequence and start the process manually from the Control Panel whenever you require it.
How to disable nwiz.exe from startup sequence
To remove nwiz.exe from your startup items list perform the following steps:
- Click Start and then select Run.
- In the Open box, type msconfig and press the OK button.
- Next, in the System Configuration Utility dialog box, click Startup.
- Locate and clear the checkbox before nwiz.exe.
- Click Apply and then click OK.
- Finally, restart your computer for changes to take effect.
Nwiz.exe – Can you trust this file?
Yes, the true nwiz.exe is a safe file that is associated with NVIDIA device drivers. Having said this, it is worthwhile to note that oftentimes malware programs give their processes similar or the same name as legitimate running processes. To ensure no unsolicited processes are running on your system, check the current running processes list. To view this list, press Ctrl+Alt+Del, and then click the Processes tab in the Windows Task Manager window.
If you find nwiz.exe running when you do not have NVIDIA device drivers or you find unsolicited processes with similar names as nwiz.exe running on the system, take proper corrective measures. Run a malware scan, using reliable security tools, such as STOPzilla Antivirus and Spyware Cease, to get rid of the unsolicited processes and their associated malware.
After you have removed the malicious processes, run a registry scan using a reliable registry cleaner tool, such as RegServe. This will ensure that all the corrupt, invalid, or obsolete entries that the malware may have added to your registry are removed.
How to prevent nwiz.exe errors
The majority of nwiz.exe errors occur due to malware infection. Malware programs, such as viruses, worms, and trojans deliberately corrupt your exe files, such as nwiz.exe and cause recurring errors. Install robust antivirus and antispyware tools on your PC to prevent nwiz.exe errors from occurring.