PowerToys.Awake.exe

Application ProcessMicrosoft Corporation

Also called powertoys awake, awake, powertoys.awake

WindowsApplication

PowerToys Awake. It keeps the PC from sleeping on a timer or until you stop it. It is not PowerLauncher.

What you need to know

Awake blocks sleep, it is not PowerLauncher.

PowerToys.Awake.exe is the keep-awake utility. It can hold the display or the system awake. PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe is Run. Ending Awake does not close Alt+Space.

Safe?: Yes, from PowerToys Awake
Is it Run?: No. PowerLauncher is Run
Why is sleep blocked?: Awake is on

Feex says

If the PC will not sleep and Awake is on the list, I turn that module off. I do not disable PowerLauncher to fix sleep.

What is PowerToys.Awake.exe?

PowerToys.Awake.exe blocks sleep. It is not PowerLauncher. Run still lives in PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe. Windows sleep settings still live in Settings > System > Power.

What does it do?

It calls Windows power APIs so the PC stays awake for a duration or indefinitely. It does not launch apps. PowerLauncher does that.

Why is it running?

You enabled Awake, or a tray toggle left it on after a long job. A forgotten "keep awake indefinitely" is why a laptop never sleeps.

Is it safe?

Usually safe

A Microsoft-signed Awake under PowerToys is the utility. Awake.exe in a "prevent sleep" zip is not. This is still not PowerLauncher.

A legitimate copy normally runs from:

C:\Program Files\PowerToys\PowerToys.Awake.exe

Keep-awake module
Tray coffee-cup icon is this utility on many builds
Not PowerToys.PowerLauncher.exe

Can I end it?

Sleep can resume

Ending Awake drops the keep-awake request. Run can stay. Use the Awake tray toggle if you only wanted sleep back.

Can I remove it?

Turn off Awake, or uninstall PowerToys

Disable Awake in PowerToys Settings. Do not delete PowerLauncher.exe to restore sleep.

Should it start with Windows?

The runner starts Awake when the module is on. A keep-awake session can last past a logon if you set that.

Normal resource behavior

These are contextual labels, not universal averages.

CPU: Idle
Memory: Tiny
Disk: None
Network: None

File information

PowerToys.Awake.exe file information
Executable name	PowerToys.Awake.exe
Common legitimate path	C:\Program Files\PowerToys\PowerToys.Awake.exe
Publisher	Microsoft Corporation
Signature expectation	Signed by Microsoft Windows

Common problems

Laptop stays hot overnight

Check the Awake tray state. PowerLauncher will not hold sleep. Windows power settings are the other half.

People blame a "hidden launcher"

Awake has no Alt+Space box. If you see a search flyout, that is PowerLauncher or CmdPal.

Troubleshooting

Diagnose before you change anything destructive.

PowerToys Settings > Awake, or the tray cup icon

Switch to Off or a timed mode. That is this process. Run settings will not change sleep.

Confirm Windows sleep still allows sleep

Settings > System > Power. If Awake is off and the PC still never sleeps, the article is power settings or another app, not PowerLauncher.

Technical details

PowerToys.Awake.exe technical details
Image name	PowerToys.Awake.exe
Role	PowerToys Awake keep-awake utility

Sources and verification

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

Microsoft Learn: Awake · Keep-awake utility, not Run
Microsoft Support: sleep · Windows sleep is separate from Awake
Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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