Is it a Virus?
NO - Safe
Must be in Program Files\ExpressVPN\Telemetry or expressvpn-telemetry.exe
Warning
Telemetry runs in background
Related to VPN activity and diagnostics; expect occasional activity during VPN use
Can I Disable?
YES
Opt out via ExpressVPN app settings (Privacy) to stop telemetry
What is expressvpn-telemetry.exe?
expressvpn-telemetry.exe is the ExpressVPN telemetry component that runs in the background to collect anonymous diagnostics and usage data. It helps the developers monitor performance, improve stability, report errors, and refine connection quality while you use ExpressVPN. The process is designed to respect user privacy and minimize resource usage, typically running unobtrusively.
Telemetry runs as a small background service that gathers crash reports, feature usage stats, and connection quality signals. Data is transmitted securely and anonymized, with limited retention to avoid exposing personal details, enabling faster bug fixes and performance improvements.
Quick Fact: ExpressVPN’s telemetry is designed to operate with minimal impact, focusing on aggregated, non-personal metrics to improve reliability.
Types of ExpressVPN Telemetry Processes
- Telemetry Daemon: Core service that collects and forwards telemetry data
- Error Reporter: Sends crash and fault reports to ExpressVPN servers
- Performance Monitor: Gathers metrics about VPN connection quality and stability
- Background Sync: Synchronizes anonymized settings with ExpressVPN servers
- UI Helper: Provides status updates to the main app UI
Is expressvpn-telemetry.exe Safe?
Yes, expressvpn-telemetry.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from ExpressVPN downloaded from official sources or bundled with the official app.
Is expressvpn-telemetry.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real expressvpn-telemetry.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware may mimic names to trick users.
How to Tell if expressvpn-telemetry.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\ExpressVPN\Telemetry\expressvpn-telemetry.exe or C:\Program Files\ExpressVPN\expressvpn-telemetry.exe. Any other location is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the executable in File Explorer > Properties > Digital Signatures. Should show signer as "ExpressVPN" or "ExpressVPN Ltd".
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-5% CPU and 30-120 MB memory. Persistent high usage when idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: Should run only when ExpressVPN is installed and active. Continuous background activity without ExpressVPN running is suspicious.
Red Flags: If expressvpn-telemetry.exe is located in unusual folders (Temp, AppData, System32), runs when ExpressVPN isn't open, lacks a valid digital signature, or uses persistent high resources, scan with antivirus software immediately. Look for similarly-named files like "expressvpn-telemetry.exe" from untrusted sources.
Why Is expressvpn-telemetry.exe Running on My PC?
expressvpn-telemetry.exe runs to collect anonymized data that helps ExpressVPN improve performance, diagnose issues, and ensure reliable VPN connections. It may operate during active use or in background to monitor stability.
Reasons it's running:
- Active VPN Use: Telemetry runs while you are connected to a VPN to collect performance and reliability metrics.
- Background Diagnostics: Sends anonymous error and usage data to assist in root-cause analysis and bug fixes.
- Startup Launch: The telemetry service may start automatically when ExpressVPN starts to ensure continuous monitoring.
- Connection Quality Monitoring: Telemetry collects signals related to latency, packet loss, and throughput to improve routing and servers.
- Error Reporting: Crash and fault reports are captured to help developers respond quickly to issues.
Can I Disable or Remove expressvpn-telemetry.exe?
Yes, you can disable expressvpn-telemetry.exe. It is optional for most users to enhance privacy, and you can disable telemetry in the ExpressVPN app settings.
How to Stop expressvpn-telemetry.exe
- Change Telemetry Settings: Open ExpressVPN app > Settings > Privacy > Turn off "Share usage data" or similar telemetry option
- Close the Application: Quit ExpressVPN completely; telemetry may stop if the app is not running
- End the Process: Open Task Manager, locate expressvpn-telemetry.exe, and End Task
- Prevent Startup: Task Manager > Startup tab > Disable ExpressVPN if you do not want telemetry started with Windows
- Stop Background Apps: In ExpressVPN settings, disable any option that allows background data collection or telemetry when the app is closed
How to Uninstall ExpressVPN
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → ExpressVPN → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → ExpressVPN → Uninstall
- ✔ Consider alternative VPNs if you need different privacy features
Common Problems: Telemetry-Related Issues
If expressvpn-telemetry.exe causes issues such as high CPU or misreporting data, use these checks and fixes.
Common Causes & Solutions
- Telemetry Data Overload: Ensure you have disabled nonessential telemetry features in the ExpressVPN app; limit data collection from Privacy settings.
- Stale Telemetry Cache: Clear application cache or reinstall ExpressVPN if telemetry data becomes corrupted.
- Conflicting Extensions or Software: Disable conflicting network tools or security suites that may interfere with telemetry reporting.
- Outdated ExpressVPN: Update ExpressVPN to the latest version to ensure telemetry protocol compatibility.
- Mislocated Executable: Verify expressvpn-telemetry.exe is in C:\Program Files\ExpressVPN\ or C:\Program Files\ExpressVPN\Telemetry and has a valid signature.
- Background Service Not Responding: Restart ExpressVPN or Windows service, then recheck telemetry operation.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open ExpressVPN Task Manager view (Settings) to identify telemetry-related activity
2. Disable nonessential telemetry options in Privacy settings
3. Restart the ExpressVPN app and check telemetry behavior
4. Update to the latest ExpressVPN version
5. If needed, reinstall ExpressVPN to reset telemetry components
Frequently Asked Questions
Is expressvpn-telemetry.exe safe?
Yes. The legitimate expressvpn-telemetry.exe is a component of ExpressVPN used for anonymous diagnostic data. Verify it is located in C:\Program Files\ExpressVPN and has a valid ExpressVPN digital signature.
Why is telemetry running when I’m not using ExpressVPN?
Telemetry may run in the background for maintenance or startup checks, but you can disable it via the app's Privacy or Settings menu to reduce background activity.
Can I disable telemetry without affecting VPN performance?
Disabling telemetry generally does not affect VPN connection functionality, but it may limit ExpressVPN’s ability to collect diagnostic data for improvements.
Where is expressvpn-telemetry.exe located on Windows?
Common locations are C:\Program Files\ExpressVPN\expressvpn-telemetry.exe or C:\Program Files\ExpressVPN\Telemetry\expressvpn-telemetry.exe. If found elsewhere, treat with caution.
Will disabling telemetry prevent ExpressVPN from updating?
Disabling telemetry should not prevent core VPN updates, but some lightweight telemetry data may be suppressed to optimize performance.
How do I completely remove ExpressVPN and its telemetry?
Uninstall ExpressVPN via Windows Settings → Apps → ExpressVPN → Uninstall. Restart your PC and run a malware scan if you notice unusual behavior afterward.