What Is “Runtime Broker” and Why Is It Running on My PC?

“Runtime Broker” is a system process that is part of the Microsoft Windows operating system. It is responsible for managing the permissions of Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps that are installed on your PC.

UWP apps are a type of software that can run on multiple devices running Windows 10, including desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones. They are designed to provide a consistent experience across different devices and screen sizes, and they are distributed through the Microsoft Store.

When you launch a UWP app on your PC, the Runtime Broker process checks to see if the app has the necessary permissions to access system resources such as your camera, microphone, or files. If the app does not have the necessary permissions, the Runtime Broker will request permission from you before allowing the app to access the resource.

In addition to managing app permissions, the Runtime Broker process also monitors the system resources used by UWP apps. If an app uses too much memory or CPU resources, the Runtime Broker will terminate the app to prevent it from causing performance issues on your PC.

If you notice that the Runtime Broker process is running on your PC, there is no need to be alarmed. This is a normal system process that is required for UWP apps to function properly. However, if you notice that the process is using a lot of system resources or causing performance issues, there may be an issue with one of your UWP apps. In this case, you can try closing the app or uninstalling it to see if this resolves the issue.

In summary, the Runtime Broker process is a vital part of the Windows 10 operating system that is responsible for managing the permissions and resources of UWP apps. While it may use some system resources, it is a normal system process that is required for UWP apps to function properly.