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

"RuntimeBroker.exe" process represents "Runtime Broker" program.

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

Boot
   RuntimeBroker

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

Image Name                 Memory   Description
--------------------   ----------   -----------
RuntimeBroker.exe        19,724 K   Runtime Broker

Additional information about "RuntimeBroker.exe" process:

Command line:
   C:\Windows\System32\RuntimeBroker.exe -Embedding

Programe file information:
   Name: RuntimeBroker.exe
   Location: C:\Windows\System32\RuntimeBroker.exe
   Description: Runtime Broker
   Version: 6.2.9200.16384 (win8_rtm.120725-1247)
   Size: 33504 bytes
   Last modified: 7/26/2012 12:55:31 AM
   Company Name: Microsoft Corporation
   
Some data files used:
C:\Windows\System32

Some registry keys used:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\Image File Execution Options
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Nls\Sorting\Versions
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\SESSION MANAGER
HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WindowsRuntime\CLSID
HKCR\ActivatableClasses\CLSID
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Nls\Sorting\Ids
HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WindowsRuntime\ActivatableClassId
HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WindowsRuntime\ActivatableClassId
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

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\combase.dll
C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\sechost.dll
C:\Windows\system32\RPCRT4.dll
C:\Windows\System32\CRYPTBASE.dll
C:\Windows\System32\bcryptPrimitives.dll
C:\Windows\System32\ole32.dll

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

⇒ "WSHost.exe" Process on Windows 8

⇐ "WWAHost.exe" Process on Windows 8

⇑ System Processes on Windows 8

⇑⇑ Windows 8 Processes Tutorials