If you’re experiencing slow performance on your PC and decide to check the Task Manager, you’re likely to see one or more processors hogging up most of your system’s resources.
One such process is the CTF Loader, otherwise called the Collaborative Translation Framework Loader. It’s a Windows service which isn’t all that necessary but can be a pain to deal with at times. In this article, we’re going over what actually is CTF loader is and is harmful to your PC?
Also read: How to fix Error 1053 in Windows?
What is the CTF Loader?
As mentioned above, the CTF Loader is a Windows service that runs in the background. The service is responsible for providing handwriting and speech recognition. It’s also responsible for activating the Microsoft Office Language Bar and Alternative User Input Text Input Processors.
The process, which runs as ctfmon.exe in the Task Manager, is a legitimate in-built service and isn’t a virus, so that you can rest easy there. However, it can still eat up system resources for no reason, and that’s a potential red flag.
If you’re using a program or the handwriting mode in Windows, then the process coming up is normal. However, if you’re not using any such program and still eating into memory, something malicious could be going on with your system.
How to disable CTF Loader?
There are a few things you can do to stop CTF Loader from using your system resources needlessly. If you want, you can even disable the service entirely.
Scan your computer for malware
The first thing you should do is scan your computer for malware. If the CTF Loader is using way too much memory out of the ordinary, there’s a chance that your computer might be infected with some sort of malware. You can use your antivirus of choice for the scan; just make sure to run a full, in-depth scan and ensure no viruses are on your machine.
Disable the Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel
The obvious solution to the problem is to disable the Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel altogether. Here’s how.
Step 1: Press Windows Key + R to open the Run prompt. Type services.msc and hit enter.
Step 2: Locate the Touch Keyboard and Handwriting panel and double-click the service.
Step 3: In the Startup type drop-down, select Disabled.
Now restart your PC, and you shouldn’t see the service interfere.
Use the Task Scheduler
You can also use the Task Scheduler to schedule the ctfmon.exe service without disabling it altogether.
Step 1: Press Windows Key + R to open the Run prompt. Type taskschd.msc and hit enter.
Step 2: Expand the Task Scheduler Library in the left pane, followed by Microsoft and Windows. Select TextServicesFramework.
Step 3: Right-click the MsCtfMonitor and select Disable.
The CTF Loader should disappear from the Task Manager now.
Check for updates
At times, a possible Windows update can also fix this issue. You can check out our detailed guide on how to update Windows 10 here.
