CredentialUIBroker.exe

Windows ProcessMicrosoft Corporation

Also called credentialuibroker, credential ui broker, web account broker

WindowsSystem Component

Web Account and credential UI broker. Apps ask it to collect a Microsoft account or other credential without drawing the password box themselves.

What you need to know

This brokers credential dialogs for apps. It is not Edge, and it is not consent.exe.

CredentialUIBroker.exe is the Windows broker for Web Account Manager and similar prompts. Store apps and some desktop apps call it so they do not handle the password themselves.

Safe?: Yes, in System32
Is it a browser?: No. It hosts a sign-in surface
Should I end it?: An in-progress sign-in will fail

Feex says

If a Microsoft account box appeared over an app, I look at CredentialUIBroker, not at chrome.exe. Ending the broker cancels that sign-in only.

What is CredentialUIBroker.exe?

CredentialUIBroker.exe is Credential UI Broker. Packaged and some Win32 apps use it for Microsoft account and other WAM prompts.

What does it do?

It shows a system sign-in surface and returns a token to the caller. It is not UAC (consent.exe) and it is not the lock screen (LogonUI.exe).

Why is it running?

An app called Web Account Manager, or Settings started an account add. A broker that stays after you closed every window can be a leftover prompt.

Is it safe?

Usually safe

System32 and Microsoft is the broker. A CredentialUIBroker.exe in a game folder is not WAM.

A legitimate copy normally runs from:

C:\Windows\System32\CredentialUIBroker.exe

WAM / credential dialogs
Not UAC consent.exe
Not LogonUI.exe

Can I end it?

Cancels that sign-in

Ending the broker drops the in-flight account prompt. The calling app stays open. Start the sign-in again if you still need it.

Can I remove it?

Do not delete CredentialUIBroker.exe. Apps will fail to add Microsoft accounts cleanly.

Should it start with Windows?

It starts on demand. It should not be a permanent Startup Apps entry.

Normal resource behavior

These are contextual labels, not universal averages.

CPU: Low except while the dialog renders
Memory: Small
Network: Account sign-in
Disk: Low

File information

CredentialUIBroker.exe file information
Executable name	CredentialUIBroker.exe
Common legitimate path	C:\Windows\System32\CredentialUIBroker.exe
Publisher	Microsoft Corporation
Signature expectation	Signed by Microsoft Windows

Common problems

Blank account box

Restart the broker, then the calling app. A broken WebView is more common than a missing System32 file.

People end it with RuntimeBroker

RuntimeBroker is capability brokering for Store apps. This process is the credential dialog.

Troubleshooting

Diagnose before you change anything destructive.

See which app opened the prompt

Alt-tab. The broker is the chrome around the sign-in, not the app.

Do not replace the file from a forum

Servicing owns it.

Technical details

CredentialUIBroker.exe technical details
Image name	CredentialUIBroker.exe
Role	Credential / WAM UI broker

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.

Microsoft Learn: Web Account Manager · Brokered account UI
Microsoft Learn: Windows · Primary Windows documentation
Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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