The Windows interface might appear simple and straight-forward, but it’s a complex OS. A multitude of processes run in the background, CTF (Collaborative Translation Framework) being one of them. When this process runs into an issue, you encounter the ‘CTF Loader’ error. In the following sections, we will talk about the CTF Loader process and walk you through the fixes for the ‘CTF Loader’ error.
What is the CTF Loader Process?
The CTF is a process that helps manage and support handwriting, voice recognition, and other input methods in Microsoft Office. The process can be found running in the ‘Task Manager’ as ‘ while you are working on the Microsft Office. It doesn’t consume a lot of resources, but oftentimes, malware or virus can mask as ‘CTF Loader’ process and severely affect the performance of your system.
To verify if it’s malware, check if the process runs even when you are not running an app that relies on it. In case it does, run a full system scan to identify the malware and neutralize it.
What Leads to CTF Loader Error?
The CTF Loader tends to simply run in the background without slowing down the system, however, many users have reported encountering errors with the process. It could be due to either of the following issues.
- Windows conflicting with the functioning of the process
- Issues with input or language packs
- Improper installation of Microsoft Office
- System infected with malware or virus
Now that we know all about the ‘CTF Loader’ process, the issues that lead to the error, it’s time we move to the fixes.
1. Run Full System Scan
If it’s a malware or virus that’s leading to the error, running a scan will identify it and fix the error. You may either use the ‘Windows Security’ app or a third-party antivirus for the job. We will be using ‘Windows Security’, since it’s built-in in Windows and offers protection against all kinds of malware.
To run a ‘Full Scan’, search for ‘Windows Security’ in the ‘Start Menu’, and then launch the app by clicking on the relevant search result.
In the ‘Windows Security’ app, click on the ‘Virus & threat protection’ option.
Now, locate ‘Scan options’ and then click on it to view the other options you have to scan for malware on the computer.
Next, select the checkbox for ‘Full scan’ and then click on ‘Scan now’ at the bottom.
The scan will start soon after and will take some time depending on the system storage and identified threats. You can continue working on the computer while the scan runs in the background. Once it’s complete, you will be informed of any threats that were identified and the action taken. Now, check if you still encounter errors with the ‘CTF Loader’ process.
2. Disable ‘Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel’ Service
If you use the physical keyboard for input, you can disable the ‘Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel’ service. This service is beneficial for those who use the touch keyboard on handwriting panels on tablets as a medium for input. If you don’t use either, disabling it shouldn’t do any harm, rather it might fix the ‘CTF Loader’ error.
To disable the ‘Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel’ service, search for the ‘Services’ app in the ‘Start Menu’, and then click on the relevant search result to launch the app.
In the ‘Services’ app, scroll down and locate the ‘Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel’ service. Next double-click on it to launch the service’s ‘Properties’.
In the ‘General’ tab of ‘Properties’, click on the drop-down menu next to ‘Startup Type’ and select ‘Disabled’ from the list.
Finally, click on ‘OK’ at the bottom to save the changes.
After you have disabled the service, restart the computer and check if the error is fixed. If not, move to the next fix.
Note: If disabling the ‘Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel’ service does not fix the error and you encounter other issues, re-enable it by selecting the option that was initially set in the ‘Startup type’ setting.
3. Manage CTF Loader with Task Scheduler
If you are not in favour of disabling the service, you always have the option to schedule when the service starts with the ‘Task Scheduler’.
To manage CTF Loader with ‘Task Scheduler’, search for the app in the ‘Start Menu’, and then click on the relevant search result to launch it.
In the ‘Task Scheduler’ window, double-click on ‘Task Scheduler Library’ and then on ‘Microsoft’.
Next, double-click on the ‘Windows’ option from the list that appears.
Now, scroll down and look for ‘TextServicesFramework’ option. After you have located it, select the option, right-click on ‘MsCtfMonitor’ at the right, and then select ‘Disable’ from the context menu.
Now, check if you still encounter the ‘CTF Loader’ error.
4. Delete the CTF Executable Files
If you encounter the ‘CTF Loader’ error often, there’s always the option to delete the related executable files altogether. However, this might affect the handwriting and voice recognition features on apps that depend on it.
To delete the executable files, search for ‘File Explorer’ in the ‘Start Menu’, and then click on the relevant search result to launch the app.
In the ‘File Explorer’ window, enter the following address in the ‘Address Bar’ at the top for the 64-bit version of Windows.
C:\Windows\SysWOW64For the 32-bit version, enter the following address.
C:\Windows\System32After you have entered the address, press ENTER.
Now, enter ‘ctfmon.exe’ in the search box at the top-right corner, and either click on the arrow next to it or press ENTER.
Now, right-click on the executable file and select ‘Delete’ from the context menu. You could also select the file and simply press DEL to delete the file. If any pop-up shows up, select the appropriate option.
After deleting the executable files, restart the computer and check if the error is fixed. In case the error persists, move to the next fix.
5. Uninstall Windows Updates
If you started encountering the error after updating the Windows, it’s time you revert to the older version. Many a time, newer versions of Windows may conflict with the ‘CTF Loader’. In such cases, it’s recommended that you roll back to the earlier version until a newer version is released with the bugs fixed.
To uninstall Windows updates, press WINDOWS + I to launch the system ‘Settings’, and click on ‘Update & Security’ from the list of options.
In the ‘Windows Update’ tab that launches by default, click on the ‘View update history’ option on the right.
Next, click on the ‘Uninstall updates’ option at the top of the ‘View update history’ window.
Finally, select the update that you want to remove and click on the ‘Uninstall’ option at the top. To help you identify the recently installed update, the date of installation is mentioned for each update.
After you have rolled back the update, the ‘CTF Loader’ error will be fixed.
With the ‘CTF Loader’ error fixed, you can resume working on the system and not worry about the error. Also, do remember to follow the fixes in the sequence that they are mentioned for a quick and effective resolution.
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