Is it a Virus?
NO - Safe
Must be in C:\Windows\System32\FirewallTelemetry.exe and signed by Microsoft
Warning
Telemetry components may spawn multiple lightweight processes
Each subsystem may run separately to capture different event streams
Can I Disable?
YES
Disabling may reduce telemetry data collection but is not required for firewall operation, and can affect protection analytics
What is firewall-telemetry.exe?
firewall-telemetry.exe is the executable behind Windows Firewall telemetry collection. It runs in the background to monitor firewall events, policy changes, and blocked connection attempts, sending aggregated data to Microsoft for protection improvements and reliability analytics. It operates with a minimal footprint and no user prompts.
Designed as a lightweight, multi-component telemetry agent, it minimizes impact by batching data and using secure channels. Telemetry data is processed locally and transmitted under OS privacy controls and configurable policy settings.
Quick Fact: Windows Firewall telemetry started as part of OS security telemetry efforts and runs primarily in the background with a small resource footprint.
Types of Firewall Telemetry Processes
- Telemetry Service: Core service that coordinates data collection and sends reports
- Event Collector: Gathers firewall events and policy changes from the OS
- Network Monitor: Monitors network events related to allowed/blocked connections
- Data Processor: Aggregates and batches telemetry before transmission
- Update Helper: Checks for telemetry policy updates and config changes
- Background Communicator: Handles secure transmissions to Microsoft telemetry endpoints
Is firewall-telemetry.exe Safe?
Yes, firewall-telemetry.exe is safe when it is the legitimate Microsoft Windows component distributed with Windows OS or through Windows Updates.
Is firewall-telemetry.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real firewall-telemetry.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware can spoof names; verify signature and location.
How to Tell if firewall-telemetry.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Should be in C:\Windows\System32\FirewallTelemetry.exe. Any other location is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show 'Microsoft Corporation' as the signer.
- Resource Usage: Nominal CPU in the 1-8% range and memory under 150 MB during idle periods.
- Behavior: Runs in the background with no UI; should not require frequent user interaction.
Red Flags: If firewall-telemetry.exe is located outside C:\Windows\System32, lacks a valid signature, or shows persistent high resource usage, scan with a reputable antivirus. Beware of similarly named files like 'FirewallTelemetry.dll'.
Why Is firewall-telemetry.exe Running on My PC?
firewall-telemetry.exe runs to monitor Windows Firewall activity and report telemetry data for security analytics. It starts with the OS, collects events, and can operate in the background even when the firewall UI is closed, ensuring continuous protection visibility.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Firewall Monitoring: The service runs to track allowed and blocked connections and policy events in real time.
- Background Telemetry Jobs: Telemetry components collect, batch, and transmit firewall data without user interaction.
- Startup and Uptime: The service may start automatically at Windows startup to establish baseline protection.
- Policy and Update Sync: Telemetry receives policy updates and Defender/Windows updates to reflect changes in protection rules.
- Diagnostics and Anomaly Detection: Telemetry helps identify misconfigurations or suspicious behavior by collecting aggregate statistics.
Can I Disable or Remove firewall-telemetry.exe?
Yes, you can disable data collection, but not uninstall the component. Disabling may reduce OS telemetry quality and security analytics. You can disable through services, privacy settings, or Group Policy.
How to Stop firewall-telemetry.exe
- Stop the Telemetry Service: Open Services (services.msc), locate 'Windows Firewall Telemetry Service' and stop it; set Startup type to Disabled.
- Disable at Startup: In Task Manager > Startup, disable the related entry 'Windows Firewall Telemetry'.
- Disable Background Runs: Settings > Privacy > Diagnostics & feedback > Basic (or Minimal) to limit data collection.
- Group Policy: Run gpedit.msc -> Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Defender Firewall -> Telemetry; set 'Turn off Windows Firewall Telemetry' to Enabled.
How to Uninstall Firewall Telemetry (If Supported)
- ✔ There is no standard uninstall for firewall-telemetry.exe as it is a built-in Windows OS component.
- ✔ If you need to disable completely, use Services and Group Policy to turn off telemetry, or switch to a non-Microsoft firewall solution.
- ✔ Note: Removing the component may not be supported and could affect OS stability and security features.
Common Problems: Telemetry & Firewall
If firewall-telemetry.exe causes issues, try these common problems and proven solutions.
Common Causes & Solutions
- Unusually high network or CPU activity from telemetry: Verify via Task Manager which processes related to firewall telemetry are active; ensure OS is up to date and disable verbose telemetry if available.
- Telemetry data not transmitting: Check network connectivity, ensure Windows Update service is running, and verify there are no outbound restrictions.
- Conflicts with third-party firewall: Disable or uninstall conflicting third-party firewall software to allow Windows Firewall telemetry to operate correctly.
- Antivirus flags firewall telemetry as suspicious: Whitelist firewall-telemetry.exe in your antivirus or security suite; verify the digital signature
- Telemetry stops after Windows updates: Run Windows Update, reboot, and verify telemetry service status; ensure update installed correctly.
- Data volume too large: Review Diagnostics & Feedback settings and set to Basic or Security Only; reduce data sharing where possible.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Services and restart Windows Firewall Telemetry Service
2. Use Task Manager to monitor firewall telemetry subprocesses and terminate any stuck processes
3. Check for Windows Updates and install latest OS fixes
4. Review Privacy > Diagnostics & feedback and set to Basic
5. Whitelist firewall-telemetry.exe in antivirus software
Frequently Asked Questions
Is firewall-telemetry.exe safe?
Yes, the legitimate firewall-telemetry.exe from Microsoft is safe when located in C:\Windows\System32 and signed by Microsoft Corporation; malware may imitate names, so verify location and signature.
Why is firewall-telemetry.exe running all the time?
It runs to monitor firewall activity and report telemetry to improve protection. It can operate in the background even when the firewall UI isn’t open.
Can I disable firewall-telemetry.exe?
Yes, you can disable data collection or stop the service, but this may reduce Windows firewall analytics and security improvements.
Where is firewall telemetry data stored?
Telemetry data is processed locally and transmitted securely to Microsoft; raw logs are typically stored within OS-defined telemetry pipelines and managed by policy.
Can I uninstall firewall-telemetry.exe?
There is no supported uninstall for this OS component. You can disable telemetry via services, privacy settings, or Group Policy, or replace the firewall with a third-party solution.
How can I verify firewall-telemetry.exe is legitimate?
Check its path (should be C:\Windows\System32\FirewallTelemetry.exe), confirm a valid signature from Microsoft, and review event logs for normal telemetry activity.