POWERPNT.EXE

Application ProcessMicrosoft Corporation

Also called powerpnt, powerpoint, microsoft powerpoint

WindowsApplication

Microsoft PowerPoint. The image name is POWERPNT.EXE. It is not Word (WINWORD.EXE).

What you need to know

POWERPNT is PowerPoint, not WINWORD.

POWERPNT.EXE is Microsoft PowerPoint. WINWORD.EXE is Word. Ending PowerPoint drops unsaved decks. It does not close Word.

Safe?: Yes, from Office
Same as Word?: No. Word is WINWORD.EXE
Should I end it?: You lose unsaved slides

Feex says

If the deck is open and the name is POWERPNT, I treat that as PowerPoint. I do not end WINWORD to stop a slideshow.

What is POWERPNT.EXE?

POWERPNT.EXE is Microsoft PowerPoint, not WINWORD.EXE. Click-to-Run places it under Microsoft Office\root\Office16.

What does it do?

It loads decks, present mode, and COM add-ins. It is not the Word canvas and it is not the PowerPoint Web app in Edge.

Why is it running?

You opened a .pptx, a preview handler started PowerPoint, or a meeting link launched the desktop app.

Is it safe?

Usually safe

Office16\POWERPNT.EXE signed by Microsoft is PowerPoint. powerpnt.exe in a macro zip is the attachment, not Office.

A legitimate copy normally runs from:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\POWERPNT.EXE

Official image name is POWERPNT.EXE
Word is WINWORD.EXE
Add-ins load in-process

Can I end it?

You lose unsaved slides

Ending POWERPNT.EXE drops the unsaved deck. Word can stay open. End it only if Not Responding lasts.

Can I remove it?

Uninstall Office

Do not delete POWERPNT.EXE. Use Microsoft 365 Apps uninstall. That also removes Word if you remove the suite.

Should it start with Windows?

On demand unless a file or a Startup shortcut opened it.

Normal resource behavior

These are contextual labels, not universal averages.

CPU: Transitions, video, and a bad add-in
Memory: Embedded media
Disk: AutoRecover
GPU: Present mode and animations

File information

POWERPNT.EXE file information
Executable name	POWERPNT.EXE
Common legitimate path	C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\POWERPNT.EXE
Publisher	Microsoft Corporation
Signature expectation	Signed by Microsoft Windows

Common problems

Hidden PowerPoint from preview

File Explorer preview can leave POWERPNT running. Close the preview pane as a test.

People end WINWORD during a slide show

The show is this process. Word is a different Office app.

Troubleshooting

Diagnose before you change anything destructive.

powerpnt /safe for add-ins

Office Safe Mode is the add-in test. It is not Windows Safe Mode and it is not winword /safe.

Repair Office from Settings > Apps

Do not download POWERPNT.EXE from a filename site.

Technical details

POWERPNT.EXE technical details
Image name	POWERPNT.EXE
Friendly name	Microsoft PowerPoint

Sources and verification

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

Microsoft Support: PowerPoint · Official PowerPoint help
Microsoft Learn: Microsoft 365 Apps · Click-to-Run Office16 layout
Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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