Is it a Virus?
c4 YES - Safe
Must be located in C:\Program Files\CrystalDiskInfo\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\CrystalDiskInfo\crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe with a valid signature.
Warning
Background process
The helper runs in the background to fetch SMART data; if CrystalDiskInfo isn't running, unusual activity warrants verification.
Can I Disable?
c4 YES
Disabling stops automatic health updates; you can still run CrystalDiskInfo manually when needed.
What is crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe?
crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe is a companion executable used by CrystalDiskInfo to collect and relay SMART data from connected drives. It runs in the background, reads S.M.A.R.T. attributes and temperature from disks, and passes the results to the main CrystalDiskInfo UI for real-time monitoring.
This helper interfaces with drives via SMART commands and communicates with CrystalDiskInfo core, parsing raw attributes into readable health metrics, temperatures, and status indicators for the user interface.
Quick Fact: CrystalDiskInfo uses a modular helper to keep the main UI responsive while gathering drive health data.
Types of CrystalDiskInfo Processes
- Main UI Process: User interface and controls
- SMART Reader Process: Reads SMART attributes from drives
- Telemetry/Update Helper: Handles data transmission for updates
- Alert/Notification Helper: Shows health alerts
- Temperature Monitor: Monitors drive temperatures
- Background Data Collector: Gathers usage statistics
Is crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe Safe?
Yes, crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from CrystalDiskInfo installed from Crystal Dew World.
Is crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe is NOT a virus. Malware may imitate it, so verify the file path and signature.
How to Tell if crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\CrystalDiskInfo\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\CrystalDiskInfo\. Any crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe > Properties > Digital Signatures. Should show a signature from "Crystal Dew World".
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is low CPU and modest memory. Abnormal, continuous, or network-heavy activity warrants further check.
- Behavior: CrystalDiskInfo typically runs when monitoring drives. If it starts without CrystalDiskInfo, investigate for malware.
Red Flags: If crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe is located in unusual folders, runs without CrystalDiskInfo, has no valid signature, or uses constant high resources, scan with antivirus software and verify with CrystalDiskInfo official sources.
Why Is crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe Running on My PC?
crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe runs to support CrystalDiskInfo by collecting and delivering disk health metrics. It may start automatically with Windows or with CrystalDiskInfo when monitoring is enabled.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Drive Health Monitoring: The helper collects SMART data and temperatures for connected disks to display in the main UI in real time.
- Background Data Refresh: It performs periodic reads to keep health metrics up to date without refreshing the UI constantly.
- Startup Launch: CrystalDiskInfo may start the helper at Windows startup to ensure monitoring begins promptly.
- Multiple Disk Support: The process handles SMART reads from multiple disks simultaneously.
- Alert and Threshold Checks: It evaluates health thresholds to trigger UI warnings or alerts when drives show issues.
Can I Disable or Remove crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe?
Yes, you can disable crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe. It is safe to close CrystalDiskInfo when not needed; you can uninstall CrystalDiskInfo entirely if you prefer a different tool.
How to Stop crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe
- Close CrystalDiskInfo: Exit the CrystalDiskInfo UI to stop the helper from collecting data.
- End Individual Helper: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), locate crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe, right-click End Task.
- Disable Startup: Task Manager > Startup tab > Disable CrystalDiskInfo to prevent helper from launching on boot.
- Disable Background Monitoring: In CrystalDiskInfo Settings > General > uncheck 'Enable background monitoring' if available.
- Temporary Disable: If you need a quick disable, stop CrystalDiskInfo and end the helper process as above.
How to Uninstall CrystalDiskInfo
- ✔ Windows Settings \u2192 Apps \u2192 Apps & Features \u2192 CrystalDiskInfo \u2192 Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel \u2192 Programs \u2192 Uninstall a program \u2192 CrystalDiskInfo \u2192 Uninstall
- ✔ Reboot your computer after removal and ensure CrystalDiskInfo and its helper are removed from Startups
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Too many disks being monitored simultaneously: Limit monitoring to essential drives or adjust update frequency in CrystalDiskInfo settings.
- Outdated CrystalDiskInfo version: Update to the latest CrystalDiskInfo release from the official site.
- Corrupted configuration: Reset CrystalDiskInfo settings or reinstall the application.
- Conflicting antivirus or security software: Whitelists crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe in your security software.
- Firmware issues on drives: Check and update drive firmware if available; check for SMART attribute errors.
- Background processes not terminated properly: End the process via Task Manager or reboot the system to reset state.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open CrystalDiskInfo Task Manager-like view (if available) and identify heavy drives
2. Close unnecessary disks or disable extra sensors in settings
3. Update CrystalDiskInfo to the latest version
4. Whitelisting crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe in antivirus
5. Restart CrystalDiskInfo or reboot the PC
Frequently Asked Questions
What is crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe?
crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe is CrystalDiskInfo's background helper that collects SMART data from drives and passes it to the main application for live health monitoring.
Is crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe safe to run?
Yes, when it resides in C:\Program Files\CrystalDiskInfo\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\CrystalDiskInfo\ and is digitally signed by Crystal Dew World.
Why is crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe running when CrystalDiskInfo isn’t open?
Some CrystalDiskInfo configurations allow the helper to run to keep drive health data up to date for quick access when you open the UI.
Can I delete crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe?
You should not delete it manually. Uninstall CrystalDiskInfo if you want to remove both the main UI and helper. You can re-install later if needed.
Where is crystaldiskinfo-helper.exe located?
Common locations include <code>C:\Program Files\CrystalDiskInfo\</code> or <code>C:\Program Files (x86)\CrystalDiskInfo\</code> depending on your system architecture.
How do I update CrystalDiskInfo and its helper?
Download the latest CrystalDiskInfo installer from the official site and run it; choose upgrade or repair to update both the main app and the helper.