Quick Answer
asus-telemetry.exe is safe. It's ASUS's telemetry agent that collects hardware health, performance metrics, and usage data to help with diagnostics, driver updates, and feature optimization, running quietly in the background as a service.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be in C:\\Program Files\\ASUS\\Telemetry\\asus-telemetry.exe
Can I Disable?
✔ YES - You can disable, but some ASUS features and diagnostics may be unavailable.
Disabling telemetry may stop telemetry data collection and could affect driver updates or diagnostics.
Impact on Support
⚠ Potential impact on automated diagnostics and updates; manual checks are recommended.
If telemetry is disabled, some health checks and update prompts may not occur automatically.
What is asus-telemetry.exe?
asus-telemetry.exe is the executable for the ASUS Telemetry service. It runs as a background component that gathers system health data, error reports, and usage metrics from ASUS hardware and software. The collected data supports diagnostics, driver updates, and performance tuning to improve reliability.
ASUS Telemetry runs as a lightweight background service coordinating data collection from sensors, software health checks, and error reporting. It communicates securely with ASUS servers to support updates and feature optimization while keeping resource impact minimal.
Quick Fact: ASUS telemetry data typically focuses on diagnostics and performance metrics and is processed by ASUS to improve device stability and update accuracy.
Types of ASUS Telemetry Processes
- Telemetry Core Service: Main background service coordinating data collection and server communication
- Data Collection Worker: Worker processes handling sensor readings and diagnostic data
- Update Checker: Component that checks for firmware and driver updates
- Event Logger: Logs health events and errors for diagnostics
- Network Communicator: Sends telemetry payloads to ASUS servers securely
Is asus-telemetry.exe Safe?
Yes, asus-telemetry.exe is safe when it is the legitimate ASUS telemetry file installed from official ASUS software or bundled with ASUS drivers.
Is asus-telemetry.exe a Virus or Malware?
The legitimate asus-telemetry.exe is NOT a virus. Malware may masquerade as ASUS telemetry with altered paths or certificates.
How to Tell if asus-telemetry.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location:: Must be in
C:\Program Files\ASUS\Telemetry\asus-telemetry.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\Telemetry\asus-telemetry.exe. Any other path is suspicious.
- Digital Signature:: Right-click the executable in File Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "ASUSTeK Computer Inc." as the signer.
- Resource Usage:: Normal usage is 2-15% CPU per process and 100-250 MB memory. Persistent high usage when idle is suspicious.
- Behavior:: Telemetry should run as a background service and only transmit data when ASUS software is active or user consent is granted.
Red Flags: If asus-telemetry.exe is located outside of the expected ASUS folders (like Temp, AppData, or System32), runs when idle, has no valid digital signature, or uploads data at odd times, run a full antivirus scan. Look for fake files named similar to asus-telemetry.exe.
Why Is asus-telemetry.exe Running on My PC?
asus-telemetry.exe runs as part of ASUS system software to monitor hardware health, collect diagnostic data, and prepare for driver or firmware updates. It may start automatically and operate in the background to support ASUS services.
Reasons it's running:
- Active System Monitoring: Collects sensor data (temperatures, fan speeds) and health metrics to detect anomalies and stabilize performance.
- Background Diagnostics: Runs health checks and error reporting to assist with support and warranty diagnostics.
- Startup Service: Configured to start automatically to ensure telemetry is available after boot.
- Update Readiness: Checks for firmware, BIOS, and driver updates to improve compatibility and stability.
- Feature Integration: Integrates with Armoury Crate and Aura to optimize device performance and lighting settings.
Can I Disable or Remove asus-telemetry.exe?
Yes, you can disable asus-telemetry.exe. Disabling reduces data collection and may prevent automatic health checks and updates, but you can re-enable later if needed.
How to Stop asus-telemetry.exe
- End Telemetry Processes: Open Task Manager → Services or Processes, locate 'asus-telemetry.exe' and end the task, or stop 'ASUS Telemetry Service' if present.
- Disable Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable 'ASUS Telemetry' or related ASUS services.
- Stop Background Data: In Armoury Crate or ASUS System Control Center, turn off telemetry or diagnostic data sharing.
- Uninstall or Reconfigure: Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → select 'ASUS Telemetry' → Uninstall, or reinstall without telemetry options if available.
- Check for Dependencies: Some ASUS features may depend on telemetry data; verify feature availability after disabling.
How to Uninstall Asus Telemetry
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → ASUS Telemetry → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → ASUS Telemetry → Uninstall
- ✔ Alternative: Use Armoury Crate or ASUS System Control Center to disable telemetry features or remove the component
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If asus-telemetry.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Overly aggressive telemetry data collection: Limit data collection in Armoury Crate; disable non-critical diagnostics
- Background services enabled: Disable startup entries or stop the 'ASUS Telemetry Service' in Services
- Outdated telemetry component: Update ASUS software and drivers; reinstall if needed
- Conflicting ASUS software (Armoury Crate): Update or reinstall Armoury Crate to resolve telemetry conflicts
- Malware masquerading as telemetry: Run a malware scan and verify digital signatures
- Driver or firmware bugs triggering telemetry: Update chipset/BIOS drivers and firmware to fix telemetry loops
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Task Manager to identify which asus-telemetry processes are using CPU or memory
2. Update ASUS software (Armoury Crate) to ensure the telemetry component is current
3. Disable or reduce telemetry data collection in ASUS software settings
4. Restart the system after applying changes
5. Run a full system antivirus scan if behavior seems abnormal
Frequently Asked Questions
Is asus-telemetry.exe a virus?
The legitimate asus-telemetry.exe is not a virus. It is part of ASUS software and should be located in C:\Program Files\ASUS\Telemetry\asus-telemetry.exe with a valid signature from ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
Where is asus-telemetry.exe located?
asus-telemetry.exe is usually located in C:\Program Files\ASUS\Telemetry. Confirm the path and signature to verify authenticity.
Can I disable asus-telemetry.exe?
Yes, you can disable asus-telemetry.exe through Armoury Crate or Windows Settings, but some ASUS features and updates may rely on telemetry data.
Will disabling asus-telemetry.exe affect support or updates?
Disabling telemetry may not affect device performance, but can limit diagnostic data for support and updates. You can re-enable if you need it later.
How do I reduce asus-telemetry.exe memory usage?
If you notice high CPU or memory usage, update ASUS software, disable unnecessary telemetry features, and consider a reinstall of Armoury Crate or related components.
How do I update or reinstall asus-telemetry?
To update or reinstall, use Windows Settings > Apps or the ASUS Armoury Crate app to manage telemetry components and apply updates.