4 Fixes For CTF Loader (ctfmon.exe) Issues + What Is It?

CTF Loader, also known as ctfmon.exe, is an executable file that you can usually see in the Task Manager.

While it is pretty harmless, it does cause a lot of people some trouble because it does appear whenever your system slows down.

If you’re sick and tired of seeing the ctfmon.exe pop up when there is an error, there are a few ways you can disable it or fix it. We’ll discuss some of those ways below.

What Is the CTF Loader?

To know how to fix the issues regarding the CTF Loader, it’s important to first learn what it is.

CTF stands for Collaborative Translation Framework, and it is the application that supports handwriting and voice recognition.

Just so you know, it is an actual file that some programs, such as the handwriting mode of Microsoft, run on.

While you can just ignore it or disable it, you might want to watch out if the ctfmon.exe starts using a lot of resources from your computer.

Or if it appears even when you’re not using a program that requires the ctfmon.exe. In such cases, the app could be either corrupted or a virus.

You should be ready to fix it so that it will not corrupt other files.

4 Fixes For CTF Loader Issues

Now, let’s go to the possible repairs that you can do to fix the issue. In order to fix problems with your CTF Loader, start with the easiest troubleshooting methods first then go to the next ones if the first one didn’t work.

1^st Fix (Disable Touch Keyboard)

The first thing that you should try to do is disable the touch keyboard and handwriting services.

In the Microsoft Community, the following steps have been suggested:

1. Go to Run and type in services.msc. A list of services should pop out.
2. Double click on the Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service option.
3. Click on the Startup Type drop-down menu and click on Disabled.
4. Click on Apply.

2nd Fix (Delete The Executable)

If disabling doesn’t work, you might want to delete the executable file all in all.

To do this, Microsoft Community suggests:

1. C:\Windows\System32 and look for the ctfmon.exe.
2. Click on it and click Delete.
3. Scan computer for any more ctfmon.exe files using your anti-virus and delete them

This should stop the CTF Loader from popping out all the time.

3rd Fix (Task Scheduler)

If you use the above-mentioned methods, there is the side effect that certain functions may not work.

If you still want to keep the ctfmon.exe but just control it, then you may use the Task Scheduler instead. This controls when the executable file pops out.

Another user in Microsoft Community suggests:

1. Run the taskschd.msc.
2. Double click on the Task Schedule Library
3. Click on Microsoft
4. Click on Windows
5. Click TextServicesFramework
6. Click on MSCTFMonitor and click disable

By doing this, you will prevent the CTF Loader from showing up. This will save your computer from using too many resources, and you will prevent it from slowing down.

How To Use Task Scheduler

4^th Fix (Malware Scan)

The last thing to do would be to scan the computer for any type of virus or malware. You see, there is also a possibility that the ctfmon.exe is actually a virus that disguises itself as a legit program to get into your computer.

The only way to know is to do an av test with your anti-virus. This will detect whether there is any strange program in your computer that needs to be deleted. In fact, it’s even recommended that you do an av test regularly.

To go even further, there are programs that can help completely clean up your computer. You can use Bleachbit or CCcleaner to do this. However, Bleachbit seems to be the more popular choice.

Forum Feedback

We explored a variety of different forums, investigating some common themes related to this file process.

Specifically, we were looking for issues related to startup processes, loader process, 32 and 64-bit specific issues, whether it’s a virus or malware, where to find it inside of Task Manager, how to disable it, what Reddit is saying about the issue.

File.net Feedback

Over at file.net, they explained that this particular executable process (Collaborative Translation Framework loader) is engineered to activate the Language Bar inside of Microsoft Office and as long as it is the genuine file it is entirely safe.

File.net users had a bunch of different reviews, with one person saying that they were able to find it in their XP Windows operating system, but was having trouble finding it in their Windows 7 Operating System. another user listed out his own step by step instructions for disabling it – saying that you just need to run in search for msconfig, click the startup bar option and then uncheck ctfmon.exe.

Another computer user advised that unless you are using the language bar, it’s probably a good idea to get rid of it.

In his experience, it did cause him some internet connectivity issues. when he removed it, completely eliminating it from his computer system, he didn’t experience any instability or technical problems. In his experience, he called it bloatware that was constantly running in the background even though he wasn’t doing any sort of work that was related to the Language Bar software.

Microsoft Answers

Over in the Microsoft Answers support community, One user writes that he discovered it in his task manager and was wondering whether it was malware or a virus on his Windows 8 operating system.

The top response came from a user who described it as a Microsoft Office file on his Windows 7 computer- saying that it is completely legitimate according to Bleeping Computer.

Another support thread dealing with Collaborative Translation Framework loader Specify that this software program is designed to provide text support for speech recognition and handwriting, commonly associated and responsible for the activation of Microsoft Office Language Bar and Alternative User Input Text Input Processor.

Reddit

Over on Reddit, inside of their Windows 10 forum, one user said that he was having trouble stopping the process.

What was troubling to him was that even though it is associated with Microsoft Office, his computer doesn’t even have office installed on it so he was somewhat concerned that it could be a malicious program or a trojan virus.

One user joked that with Windows 10 operating systems, you really don’t own your personal computer anymore. Which is to mean, Microsoft restricts your ability to modify how things work, prohibiting you from truly customizing your system.

Conclusion

The issues that are presented by the ctfmon.exe are not detrimental to your computer (unless it’s a virus in disguise) but they can get really annoying. If you don’t fix it soon enough, it may even lead to a problem that could be bad eventually.

This is why you have to nip the problem in the bud. If you already see some signs of problems with a CTF Loader app, then try some of the fixes mentioned above. More often than not, the simplest fix is the one that works.