What is the "splwow64.exe" process on windows 7? Is the "splwow64.exe" process a virus? Can I terminate the "splwow64.exe" process?

"splwow64.exe" process represents "Print driver host for 32bit applications" program.

"splwow64.exe" process is normally running under the parent process "Boot" as shown in the process tree below:

Boot
   splwow64

On the Processes tab of "Task Manager", "splwow64.exe" process may be listed as:

Image Name                 Memory   Description
--------------------   ----------   -----------
splwow64.exe              8,596 K   Print driver host for 32bit applications

Additional information about "splwow64.exe" process:

Command line:
   C:\windows\splwow64.exe 8192

Programe file information:
   Name: splwow64.exe
   Location: C:\windows\splwow64.exe
   Description: Print driver host for 32bit applications
   Version: 6.1.7601.17777 (win7sp1_gdr.120210-1503)
   Size: 67072 bytes
   Last modified: 2/11/2012 1:36:01 AM
   Company Name: Microsoft Corporation
   
Some data files used:
C:\Windows
C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\x64\3\en-US\UNIDRVUI.DLL.mui
C:\Windows\System32\en-US\KernelBase.dll.mui
C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\x64\3\hpcm7756.BUD

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\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Nls\Locale\Alternate Sorts
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Nls\Language Groups
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Nls\Locale
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

Some DLL libraries used:
C:\windows\SYSTEM32\ntdll.dll
C:\windows\system32\kernel32.dll
C:\windows\system32\KERNELBASE.dll
C:\windows\system32\ADVAPI32.dll
C:\windows\system32\msvcrt.dll
C:\windows\SYSTEM32\sechost.dll
C:\windows\system32\RPCRT4.dll
C:\windows\system32\USER32.dll
C:\windows\system32\GDI32.dll
C:\windows\system32\LPK.dll

"splwow64.exe" process is not a virus. You should not terminate "splwow64.exe" process.

⇒ "System Idle Process" on Windows 7

⇐ "DeviceDisplayObjectProvider.exe" Process on Windows 7

⇑ System Processes on Windows 7

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