TabTip.exe
Also called tabtip, touch keyboard, tablet input panel
Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel (Text Input). It is the on-screen touch keyboard process, not TextInputHost.exe and not ctfmon.exe.
What you need to know
TabTip is the touch keyboard, not ctfmon and not TextInputHost.
TabTip.exe is the Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel. The usual path is Common Files\microsoft shared\ink. TextInputHost.exe is Windows Input Experience (emoji, voice typing, newer panels). ctfmon.exe is the Text Services Framework loader. Ending TabTip hides the touch keyboard, not the language bar.
- Safe?
- Yes. It is the touch keyboard
- Same as TextInputHost?
- No. That is Input Experience
- Same as ctfmon?
- No. ctfmon is CTF Loader
What is TabTip.exe?
TabTip.exe is the touch keyboard. The Text Input Panel lives under Common Files\microsoft shared\ink. It is not ctfmon.exe and it is not TextInputHost.exe.
What does it do?
It draws the finger keyboard and handwriting canvas. TextInputHost.exe hosts emoji, voice typing, and newer Input Experience surfaces. ctfmon.exe keeps TSF / the language bar alive.
Why is it running?
You tapped a text field in tablet mode, docked the touch keyboard, or a pen woke handwriting. A desktop PC can still start TabTip if the touch keyboard is set to show.
Is it safe?
Usually safe
The ink-folder TabTip.exe is Microsoft. A TabTip.exe in a "keyboard skin" zip is not. This is still the touch keyboard, not Input Experience and not CTF Loader.
A legitimate copy normally runs from:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ink\TabTip.exe
- Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel
- Input Experience: TextInputHost.exe
- CTF Loader: ctfmon.exe
Can I end it?
Hides the touch keyboard
Ending TabTip.exe closes the touch keyboard until something starts it again. Emoji (TextInputHost) and the language bar (ctfmon) can stay.
Can I remove it?
No
Do not delete TabTip.exe. Turn the touch keyboard off in Settings if you do not want it. Removing TextInputHost does not uninstall TabTip.
Should it start with Windows?
Tablet input or a touch field starts it. You can hide the keyboard icon in the taskbar. That is not ctfmon.
Normal resource behavior
These are contextual labels, not universal averages.
- CPU
- Low unless handwriting recognition is running
- Memory
- Small to moderate for a UI host
- Disk
- Low
- Network
- None for the local keyboard
File information
| Executable name | TabTip.exe |
|---|---|
| Common legitimate path | C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ink\TabTip.exe |
| Publisher | Microsoft Corporation |
| Signature expectation | Signed by Microsoft Windows |
Common problems
Keyboard covers the taskbar and will not dismiss
End TabTip, then use Settings > Time & language > Typing > Touch keyboard. Ending ctfmon will not tuck this panel away.
Confused with the OSK
osk.exe is the classic On-Screen Keyboard. TabTip is the touch keyboard. TextInputHost is Input Experience.
Troubleshooting
Diagnose before you change anything destructive.
Settings for the touch keyboard, not language
Time & language > Typing > Touch keyboard, or the taskbar icon. Language bar issues belong to ctfmon.
Split emoji and voice from this process
Win+. and voice typing are TextInputHost on current Windows. If those are stuck, restart that host, not TabTip.
Technical details
Technical details
| Image name | TabTip.exe |
|---|---|
| Role | Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel |
Sources and verification
Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.
- Microsoft Learn: touch keyboard · Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel
- Microsoft Support: touch keyboard · Show or hide the touch keyboard
- Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.
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