Process Information

Process File: netdde.exe
Process Name: Microsoft Windows Network DDE server

Author: Microsoft Corp.
Part Of: Microsoft Windows Network DDE server (DDE = Dynamic Data Exchange)

Description:
netdde.exe is the Network Dynamic Data Exchange server for Microsoft Windows. It is used to facilitate the exchange of data over a network.

netdde.exe is part of Microsoft Windows Network DDE server (DDE = Dynamic Data Exchange). Network DDE is a technology that allows applications that use the DDE transport to transparently exchange data over a network.
For the layman a typical application of NetDDE is chatting over a network where WinChat, or some other chat program, will automatically be started by NetDDE when someone else on the network calls you. In this particular example, without NetDDE running in the background you would have to be running WinChat at all times in order to instantly receive a chat message.

This program is a non-essential system process, but should not be terminated unless suspected to be causing problems.

The netdde.exe file is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. In other cases, netdde.exe maybe is a virus, spyware, trojan or worm!

Note: General rule
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 netdde.exe:
Should not be disabled, required for essential applications to work properly.

If NetDDE is running on your PC it was probably configured in this manner by some software that needs it to do things over a network, like the WinChat chat program mentioned above, or Microsoft's Hearts networked game for that matter.
If you do not have such software running on your PC, or do not use it, then simply disable NetDDE.

Summary account

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