Process Information

Process File: apache.exe
Process Name: Apache Webserver

Author: Apache

Part Of: Apache Webserver

Description:
apache.exe is a web server application which is used to host Internet/Intranet web pages.
This is the Apache Webserver service which turns your PC or Server into a webserver so that other users on your network, or on the Internet (if external users have been granted access), can view web pages hosted on your PC/Server.
The Apache Webserver is also sometimes installed by applications to enable you to manage the application through a browser: a typical such application is the NVidia firewall software which comes bundled with motherboards based on the NVidia chipset.
The NVidia firewall installs the Apache Webserver because the firewall can only be managed through a web browser like Internet Explorer or Mozilla FireFox.

This is a critical process where web hosting is concerned and should not be terminated without the web-administrators consent.

Note: Any malware can be named anything - so you should check where the files of the running processes are located on your disk. If a non-Microsoft.exe file is located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder, then there is a high risk for a virus, spyware, trojan or worm infection!

Recommendation for apache.exe:
Not a critical component, but see the information above before disabling it.

If you specifically installed Apache to turn your PC into a webserver, then this is the Apache core program – Leave alone therefore.
If, however, you have no knowledge of ever installing Apache, then it most probably got installed by some other application, such as the NVidia firewall.
If you do not use that other application then you can decide to stop this service from starting at boot-up by changing its Startup Mode to Disabled on the Services tab.

Summary account

System Process: No
Application: Yes
Background Process: Yes
Uses Network: No
Uses Internet: Yes