macOS processes › Core system
What is loginwindow on Mac?
loginwindow manages your login session. It shows the login screen, starts your session and login items, and handles logging out, restarting and shutting down.
What it does
After you sign in, loginwindow keeps running for as long as you're logged in. It starts Finder, the Dock and your login items, and it shows the Force Quit Applications window when you press Option-Command-Escape. When you choose Log Out or Restart, it asks each app to quit.
Why it gets busy
- Many login items starting at once.
- Logging out or restarting while apps are slow to quit.
- Switching between several logged-in users.
Why is loginwindow using so much CPU?
loginwindow usually spikes during login or logout. If it stays high, too many login items or an app that won't quit is the likely cause.
Is it safe to quit?
Quitting loginwindow logs you out immediately, closing your apps without letting you save.
The real loginwindow runs from /System/Library/CoreServices/loginwindow.app.
How to calm it down
- Trim login items in System Settings › General › Login Items & Extensions.
- Quit apps yourself before restarting so they don't hold up logout.
- Log out other user accounts you aren't using.
In SystemWatch
SystemWatch's Startup Items view shows everything that opens when loginwindow starts your session, so you can trim it in one place.
