CrossDeviceResume.exe

Windows ProcessMicrosoft Corporation

Also called crossdeviceresume, cross device resume

WindowsSystem Component

Cross Device Resume. Windows uses it for Phone Link / Cross Device continue-on-PC experiences, not for File Explorer.

What you need to know

This is the continue-on-PC helper, not PhoneExperienceHost.exe (the Phone Link app).

CrossDeviceResume.exe is a CBS client component for resuming activity across devices. Phone Link UI is PhoneExperienceHost.exe. Ending Resume does not uninstall Your Phone.

Safe?: Yes, as a Windows package
Need a phone?: Only if you use those features
Should I end it?: Resume prompts will stop

Feex says

If a "continue on PC" toast appeared, I look at CrossDeviceResume. If the Phone Link window is open, that is PhoneExperienceHost.

What is CrossDeviceResume.exe?

CrossDeviceResume.exe is the Windows Cross Device Resume host in the Client CBS package.

What does it do?

It helps hand a task from a phone or another signed-in device to this PC. It does not sync photos. That is Phone Link.

Why is it running?

Cross-device features are on, or a resume notification fired. A PC with those features off should rarely show it.

Is it safe?

Usually safe

The Microsoft Client.CBS CrossDeviceResume.exe is expected. A Resume exe sitting in Downloads is not that host and should not be run.

A legitimate copy normally runs from:

C:\Windows\SystemApps\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_*\CrossDeviceResume.exe

CBS client component
Phone Link UI is a different exe
Needs a Microsoft account for many features

Can I end it?

Stops resume prompts

Ending it cancels that hand-off. Turn off cross-device sharing in Settings if you do not want it back.

Can I remove it?

Do not delete the CBS package. Disable Phone Link / cross-device settings instead.

Should it start with Windows?

A trigger or the package starts it. Not a vendor tray.

Normal resource behavior

These are contextual labels, not universal averages.

CPU: Low
Network: Device graph
Memory: Small
Disk: Low

File information

CrossDeviceResume.exe file information
Executable name	CrossDeviceResume.exe
Common legitimate path	C:\Windows\SystemApps\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_*\CrossDeviceResume.exe
Publisher	Microsoft Corporation
Signature expectation	Signed by Microsoft Windows

Common problems

Resume spam

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices, or Phone Link settings. Do not delete the exe.

Confused with CrossDeviceService

The service is the longer-running contract. Resume is the activity helper.

Troubleshooting

Diagnose before you change anything destructive.

Unlink the phone in Phone Link as a test

If Resume vanishes, you found the feature.

Do not remove CBS to hide toasts

That package holds more than this host.

Technical details

CrossDeviceResume.exe technical details
Image name	CrossDeviceResume.exe
Role	Cross-device resume host

Sources and verification

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

Microsoft Support: Phone Link · Cross-device features
Microsoft Learn: Windows · Primary Windows documentation
Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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