kubectl.exe: which program is it?
kubectl.exe is a program file that 2 Windows programs install, the best known being Kubernetes CLI. The list below names each one with its publisher and install folder.
| App | Publisher | Latest version | Default install folder |
|---|---|---|---|
 Kubernetes CLI | The Kubernetes Authors | 1.37.1 | — |
| microk8s | — | 1.36 | — |
Frequently asked questions
Is kubectl.exe safe?
kubectl.exe is a normal part of Kubernetes CLI when it sits in the program's install folder and carries the publisher's digital signature. A file with the same name in another folder can be something else: check its signature and hash.
Where is kubectl.exe located?
In the program's install folder, which the installer chooses; winget puts portable programs under %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\WinGet\Packages.
How do I remove kubectl.exe?
Uninstall Kubernetes CLI through Settings → Apps or with winget; the uninstaller removes kubectl.exe with it. Deleting the file alone leaves the rest of the program behind.