What is CTFMON.EXE and how to delete it

If you open the Windows Task manager or use Hijackthis to track down a problem, you may see a file called CTFMON.EXE. Disabling it from MSCONFIG doesn't make it go away and it's easy to make people feel like it's a virus, so what exactly is it?

Actually CTFMON.EXE is a file installed with Office XP. It activates the Alternative User Input process and the Language Bar. This program monitors windows in active status and provides text input services that support voice, handwriting, keyboard, translation, and many other input techniques. It also starts the language bar, which appears under the system tray as shown below.

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A log file of Hijackthis will show CTFMON as follows:

O4 - HKCU.Run: [ctfmon.exe] C: Windowssystem32ctfmon.exe

The following steps will disable the Advanced Text service to delete Language Bar:

1. Open Control Panel

2. Select Regional and Language Options (in Classic View view)

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or select Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options in Category view

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3. Select the Languages tab, click the Details button

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4. Select the Advanced tab

5. Click on the " Turn off advanced text services " box and select OK

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The language bar will no longer be displayed in the system tray (System Tray), and CTFMON.EXE will not be loaded in subsequent booting sessions.