What is the "wlanext.exe" process on Windows 8? Is the "wlanext.exe" process a virus? Can I terminate the "wlanext.exe" process?

"wlanext.exe" process represents "Windows Wireless LAN 802.11 Extensibility Framework" program.

"wlanext.exe" process is normally running under the parent process "Boot" as shown in the process tree below:

Boot
   wlanext

On the Processes tab of "Task Manager", "wlanext.exe" process may be listed as:

Image Name                 Memory   Description
--------------------   ----------   -----------
wlanext.exe               7,460 K   Windows Wireless LAN 802.11 Extensibility Framework

Additional information about "wlanext.exe" process:

Command line:
   C:\Windows\system32\WLANExt.exe 507115685072

Programe file information:
   Name: wlanext.exe
   Location: C:\Windows\system32\WLANExt.exe
   Description: Windows Wireless LAN 802.11 Extensibility Framework
   Version: 6.2.9200.16384 (win8_rtm.120725-1247)
   Size: 98304 bytes
   Last modified: 7/25/2012 11:08:51 PM
   Company Name: Microsoft Corporation
   
Some data files used:
C:\Windows\System32
C:\Windows\System32\en-US\wlanext.exe.mui
C:\Windows\WinSxS\amd64_microsoft.windows.common-controls_6595b64144ccf1df_5.82.9200.16658_none_776622cb3175a40c
C:\Windows\WinSxS\amd64_microsoft.windows.gdiplus_6595b64144ccf1df_1.1.9200.16518_none_726fbfe0cc22f012

C:\Windows\System32\en-US\wlanapi.dll.mui

Some registry keys used:
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Nls\Sorting\Versions
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\SESSION MANAGER
HKU\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\International
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Nls\Locale
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Nls\Locale\Alternate Sorts
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Nls\Language Groups
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\crypt32
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Nls\Sorting\Ids
HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\Cryptography\OID\EncodingType 0\CertDllCreateCertificateChainEngine\Config
HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\SystemCertificates\ROOT

Some DLL libraries used:
C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\ntdll.dll
C:\Windows\system32\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\Windows\system32\KERNELBASE.dll
C:\Windows\system32\msvcrt.dll
C:\Windows\system32\RPCRT4.dll
C:\Windows\system32\USER32.dll
C:\Windows\system32\GDI32.dll
C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\sechost.dll
C:\Windows\system32\CRYPTBASE.dll
C:\Windows\system32\bcryptPrimitives.dll

"wlanext.exe" process is not a virus. You should not terminate "wlanext.exe" process.

⇒ "BTHSSecurityMgr.exe" Process on Windows 8

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⇑ System Processes on Windows 8

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