coretemp.exe

Core Temp - CPU Temperature Monitor

Application ProcessSafeHardware Monitoring

CPU Usage

1-8%

Memory

25-60 MB

Location

C:\Program Files\Core Temp

Publisher

Core Temp Project Team

Quick Answer

coretemp.exe is safe. It's the Core Temp hardware monitor, a lightweight tool that reads CPU sensor data to show temperatures, voltages, and fan speeds.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in C:\Program Files\Core Temp or C:\Program Files (x86)\Core Temp

Warning

Most instances normal

Each core sensor read is a separate data point; unrelated processes may appear as entries

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Close Core Temp or disable startup to stop monitoring

What is coretemp.exe?

coretemp.exe is the main executable for Core Temp, a lightweight hardware-monitoring tool that reads CPU sensor data from supported processors. It runs in the background, collecting per-core temperatures, voltages, and fan information, and presents them in a compact window or system tray icon for quick thermal health checks.

Core Temp reads per-core telemetry from the CPU using built-in sensors (MSR/ACPI) and displays real-time temperatures, voltages, and core state. It minimizes driver impact and uses a lightweight polling loop to refresh data for accurate thermal monitoring.

Quick Fact: Core Temp pioneered per-core temperature monitoring and uses sensor data directly from the processor to provide real-time readings.

Types of Core Temp Processes

Core Temp Main: The primary process that reads sensors and renders the UI
Sensor Monitor: Background thread polling CPU sensors
Tray Icon Helper: System tray component displaying temps

Is coretemp.exe Safe?

Yes, coretemp.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from the Core Temp project downloaded from official sources.

Is coretemp.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real coretemp.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware sometimes disguises itself using similar names to trick users.

How to Tell if coretemp.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\Core Temp\coretemp.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Core Temp\coretemp.exe. Any coretemp.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click coretemp.exe → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show a valid signature from the Core Temp project.
Resource Usage: Normal usage is typically under 8% CPU with a few MB of memory. Constant high usage when idle is suspicious.
Behavior: Core Temp should only run when you open or authorize monitoring. If you see the process running in idle state, verify with a security scan.

Red Flags: If coretemp.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData\Roaming, or System32), runs when you haven't started Core Temp, has no digital signature, or uses excessive resources constantly, scan your system with antivirus software immediately.

Why Is coretemp.exe Running on My PC?

coretemp.exe runs when Core Temp is installed and configured to monitor CPU temperatures. It may stay active to provide real-time readings or update on a schedule.

Reasons it's running:

Active Hardware Monitoring: You have Core Temp open or configured to monitor temperatures; each sensor read is a small, periodic operation.
Background Sensor Polling: Core Temp can run a background thread to update temps and fans even when the main window is closed.
Startup or Tray Auto-Launch: Core Temp may be configured to start with Windows or stay resident in the system tray for quick access.
Driver or Sensor Updates: When CPU microcode or sensor drivers update, Core Temp may refresh readings and reinitialize sensors.
Multiple Cores and Chips: On multi-die CPUs, the program will spawn sensor reads for each core or cluster, appearing as separate data points.

Can I Disable or Remove coretemp.exe?

Yes, you can disable coretemp.exe. It's safe to close Core Temp when not in use, and you can uninstall it completely if you prefer a different monitor.

How to Stop coretemp.exe

End Overview: Close Core Temp window or use the tray icon to exit
Disable Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Core Temp
Quit Background Monitoring: In Core Temp settings, disable background monitoring or minimize to tray
End Individual Threads: If it still runs, use Task Manager to End Task for coretemp.exe
Uninstall: Windows Settings → Apps → Core Temp → Uninstall

How to Uninstall Core Temp

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Core Temp → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs and Features → Core Temp → Uninstall
✔ Consider alternative hardware-monitoring tools if needed

Common Problems: CPU Sensor Readings or Performance

If coretemp.exe is behaving oddly or using resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

High sensor polling rate: Lower the refresh interval in Core Temp settings or enable a quieter mode
Background monitoring enabled: Disable background monitoring in settings to reduce activity
Driver or sensor incompatibility: Update BIOS/CPU drivers or reconfigure sensor access in Core Temp
Too many cores with sensors: Reduce the number of monitored cores in the UI or disable per-core readouts
Conflicting monitoring tools: Disable other hardware-monitoring tools to prevent data conflicts
Corrupted configuration: Reset Core Temp to default settings and re-configure sensors

Quick Fixes:
1. Close the Core Temp window or exit to tray
2. Restart Core Temp after saving settings
3. Check startup entries and disable if needed
4. Update Core Temp to the latest version
5. Verify BIOS/CPU drivers and sensor interfaces

Frequently Asked Questions

Is coretemp.exe safe to run?

Yes, when downloaded from the official Core Temp project and located at C:\Program Files\Core Temp\coretemp.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Core Temp\coretemp.exe. Always verify digital signatures.

Why is coretemp.exe using CPU or memory?

Core Temp queries CPU sensors; high usage can result from many monitored cores, background polling, or conflicting monitoring tools. Check the task in Task Manager.

Can I delete coretemp.exe?

Yes, you can uninstall Core Temp via Windows Settings. Deleting the file manually may leave configuration behind; use the official uninstall method.

Can I disable coretemp.exe?

Yes, you can close Core Temp or disable startup and background monitoring to stop it from running.

How do I update Core Temp?

Visit the official Core Temp website and download the latest version, then run the installer to update. Back up settings if needed.

What should I do if readings seem wrong?

Ensure sensor drivers are up to date, verify the correct CPU model is selected, and check BIOS/update microcode. Consider using another monitor for cross-checks.