diskspd.exe

DiskSpd Performance Benchmark Tool

Application ProcessSafeStorage Benchmarking

CPU Usage

5-15%

Memory

10-60 MB

Location

C:\Program Files\DiskSpd

Publisher

Microsoft Corporation

Quick Answer

diskspd.exe is safe. It's Microsoft's command-line disk I/O benchmarking tool used to generate configurable workloads and measure IOPS, latency, and throughput on storage subsystems.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in C:\Program Files\DiskSpd\diskspd.exe or C:\DiskSpd\diskspd.exe

Warning

DiskSpd runs benchmarks you initiate; heavy I/O can spike CPU and disk activity during tests

Always run in an isolated test environment and verify you are using an official Microsoft copy

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

DiskSpd only runs when you execute a test; close the console or end the process after a run

What is diskspd.exe?

DiskSpd is a command-line benchmarking utility from Microsoft used to measure storage subsystem performance by generating configurable I/O workloads. It supports random and sequential I/O, multiple block sizes, thread counts, and queue depths to produce metrics like IOPS, throughput, and latency under repeatable conditions for disks, SSDs, and storage arrays.

DiskSpd performs controlled I/O against a specified path, reporting per-test statistics such as average latency, 95th percentile, IOPS, and bandwidth. It operates with explicit I/O patterns, allows caching options, and is ideal for comparing storage configurations.

Quick Fact: DiskSpd was developed by Microsoft to provide repeatable disk I/O benchmarks across local and networked storage devices.

Types of DiskSpd Processes

Launcher Process: Main process that parses command-line arguments and starts a benchmark run
Worker Threads: Threads performing I/O operations according to configured patterns
I/O Engine: Core component executing read/write requests against the target path
Logger: Outputs results to the console or a CSV/log file
Validator: Validates parameters and target path before running tests
Output Handler: Formats and writes benchmark metrics for analysis

Is diskspd.exe Safe?

Yes, diskspd.exe is safe when obtained from official Microsoft sources or authorized packages and run with appropriate privileges.

Is diskspd.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real diskspd.exe is NOT a virus. Malware may misuse names, so verify the file path and digital signature.

How to Tell if diskspd.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location:: Must be in C:\Program Files\DiskSpd\diskspd.exe or C:\DiskSpd\diskspd.exe. Any diskspd.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature:: Right-click the file in Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should list a valid Microsoft signature (e.g., Microsoft Corporation).
Hash/Signature Verification:: Compare the file's Authenticode signature with the official release hash from Microsoft.
Resource Usage:: Normal benchmarking uses CPU and I/O while tests run. Constant high usage when idle is suspicious.

Red Flags: DiskSpd located in unusual folders (Temp, AppData), runs without a test, lacks a valid signature, or uses excessive resources constantly could indicate tampering.

Why Is diskspd.exe Running on My PC?

DiskSpd runs when you initiate a benchmark or when a script/automation triggers a test. It may also run briefly to warm caches or validate paths prior to a full run.

Reasons it's running:

Active Benchmark Test: You started a disk I/O benchmark to measure performance on a storage device.
Automated Testing Script: A CI job or local script launched diskspd with predefined parameters.
Background Validation: DiskSpd validates target paths and permissions before executing a test, causing a momentary run.
Disk Subsystem Tuning: You are profiling different configurations (block sizes, queue depths, threads) for comparison.
Scripted Health Checks: Periodic checks or monitoring scripts may spawn DiskSpd to verify sustained performance characteristics.

Can I Disable or Remove diskspd.exe?

Yes, you can disable diskspd.exe. It is a benchmarking tool, not a background service. Stop running tests and remove the executable if you no longer need it.

How to Stop diskspd.exe

Cancel Ongoing Benchmark: In the console running diskspd, press Ctrl+C to stop the test.
Close Command Window: Close the terminal or command prompt that is executing diskspd.
Terminate Process: Open Task Manager, locate diskspd.exe, right-click End Task.
Disable Startup: If invoked via a startup script, remove the script from the startup folder or Task Scheduler.
Stop Automated Tests: If diskspd is invoked by a CI job or automation, disable or remove the job.

How to Uninstall DiskSpd

✔ Delete the diskspd.exe file and its directory: C:\Program Files\DiskSpd orC:\DiskSpd
✔ Remove any scripts or references in PATH or environment variables
✔ If bundled with a package, use the package manager to uninstall DiskSpd components

Common Problems: High CPU or I/O Usage

If diskspd.exe appears to consume excessive resources during a test, consider adjusting test parameters or environment to isolate the issue.

Common Causes & Solutions

Too Aggressive Workload: Reduce thread count (-t) or queue depth (-q) and use smaller block sizes to steady resource use.
Target Path Contention: Benchmark a dedicated drive or a fresh test file to reduce contention with other processes.
Background Processes Interference: Pause or stop non-essential IO-heavy applications during testing.
Outdated DiskSpd Version: Download the latest DiskSpd release from the official Microsoft repository and re-run tests.
Antivirus Real-Time Scanning: Exclude the test directory from real-time scanning during benchmarking.
Caching Effects: Disable OS-level caching options if precise measurement of disk I/O is required.

Quick Fixes:
1. Quick Fixes:
2. 1. Open the benchmarking window and reduce concurrency: -t 2-4
3. Choose smaller block sizes like 4K or 8K to reduce memory pressure
4. Run a short test to validate configuration before long runs
5. Ensure the test directory is on a dedicated volume
6. Redirect output to a file for later analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

Is diskspd.exe safe to run on my PC?

Yes, when obtained from official Microsoft sources or trusted distribution, diskspd.exe is a legitimate benchmarking tool for storage performance testing.

What does diskspd measure?

DiskSpd measures IOPS, throughput, and latency under configurable I/O patterns (random/sequential, block sizes, thread counts) to evaluate storage performance.

How do I run a basic diskspd benchmark?

Open a command prompt and run diskspd.exe with parameters for the target file or volume, block size, and test duration, then review the output CSV or console results.

Can diskspd benchmark network storage?

Yes, you can benchmark network-attached storage or SAN targets by pointing diskspd to a UNC path or mounted network drive, using appropriate flags.

Do I need admin rights to run diskspd?

Administrative privileges are often required to access raw disk devices or to disable antivirus interference during testing.

Where can I download diskspd?

DiskSpd is distributed by Microsoft; download from the official Microsoft DiskSpd repository or latest Windows performance toolkits.