CrossDeviceService.exe

Windows ProcessMicrosoft Corporation

Also called crossdeviceservice, cross device service, cross device experience

WindowsSystem Component

Cross Device Experience Host service process. It keeps Phone Link and nearby-sharing contracts alive. CrossDeviceResume.exe is the continue-on-PC helper.

What you need to know

This is the cross-device contract host, not the Phone Link window.

CrossDeviceService.exe backs Cross Device Experience. PhoneExperienceHost.exe is the Phone Link UI. CrossDeviceResume.exe is resume. Ending the service pauses those contracts until Windows starts it again.

Safe?: Yes, as a Windows package
Same as Phone Link?: Phone Link UI is PhoneExperienceHost
Should I end it?: Cross-device features pause

Feex says

If I do not use a phone or nearby sharing, I would turn those settings off. Ending CrossDeviceService every hour is not a setting.

What is CrossDeviceService.exe?

CrossDeviceService.exe is the Cross Device Experience service host in a Windows SystemApp package.

What does it do?

It holds longer-running cross-device contracts so Phone Link and related features can connect. It does not draw the Phone Link window.

Why is it running?

Cross-device or Phone Link features are enabled. A PC with those off should show this less often.

Is it safe?

Usually safe

The Microsoft CrossDevice package is expected. A CrossDeviceService.exe in Temp is not.

A legitimate copy normally runs from:

C:\Windows\SystemApps\MicrosoftWindows.CrossDevice_*\CrossDeviceService.exe

Contract host
UI: PhoneExperienceHost.exe
Resume: CrossDeviceResume.exe

Can I end it?

Pauses cross-device features

Ending it drops connections until the package starts it again. Turn the features off in Settings for a lasting change.

Can I remove it?

Do not delete the CrossDevice package. Disable Phone Link and nearby sharing instead.

Should it start with Windows?

The feature starts it. Not a chat Startup app.

Normal resource behavior

These are contextual labels, not universal averages.

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

File information

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

Common problems

Service without a phone

Nearby sharing and Microsoft account device graph can still start it.

Three Cross Device names

Service, Resume, and PhoneExperienceHost are different jobs.

Troubleshooting

Diagnose before you change anything destructive.

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices

The Phone Link switch.

Nearby sharing off as a second test

That contract can keep this host awake.

Technical details

CrossDeviceService.exe technical details
Image name	CrossDeviceService.exe
Role	Cross Device Experience 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: nearby sharing · Nearby sharing contracts
Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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