hdtune.exe

HD Tune Disk Benchmarking Utility

Application ProcessSafeDisk Utility

CPU Usage

1-15%

Memory

20-120 MB

Location

C:\Program Files\HD Tune

Publisher

EFD Software

Quick Answer

hdtune.exe is safe. It's the official HD Tune disk benchmarking tool. It runs as a normal Windows application to measure read/write speeds and SMART data without modifying user data.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in C:\Program Files\HD Tune\hdtune.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\HD Tune\hdtune.exe

Warning

Usually legitimate

If you see hdtune.exe running without launching HD Tune or on startup, verify digital signature and drive usage.

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Close the tool after benchmarking; disable startup entry if you don’t want it to launch on login

What is hdtune.exe?

hdtune.exe is the executable for the HD Tune disk benchmarking utility. HD Tune runs on Windows to test drive read/write speeds, measure access times, and report health indicators via SMART data and performance charts.

HD Tune performs sequential, random, and access-time tests using direct I/O to profile drive throughput, latency, and health. It provides instantaneous graphs and SMART attributes without modifying user data during read tests.

Quick Fact: HD Tune has been a go-to disk benchmark tool for Windows since early 2000s, offering quick health checks and speed tests in a single interface.

Types of HD Tune Processes

Benchmark Process: Runs read/write tests and generates performance results
Health Monitoring: Reads SMART data to report drive health
UI Process: Displays graphs, meters, and results within the app

Is hdtune.exe Safe?

Yes, hdtune.exe is safe when obtained from official sources (efdsoftware.com, or Microsoft Store if applicable) and located in an appropriate program directory.

Is hdtune.exe a Virus or Malware?

The legitimate hdtune.exe is not a virus. Malware masquerades with similar names; always verify origin and digital signature.

How to Tell if hdtune.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\HD Tune\hdtune.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\HD Tune\hdtune.exe. Any hdtune.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the file -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show a signature from "EFD Software" or the HD Tune publisher.
Resource Usage: Benchmark runs may spike CPU for short intervals; sustained high CPU when idle is suspicious.
Behavior: Should run only when you start or explicitly launch HD Tune; background activity without user action is a red flag.

Red Flags: If hdtune.exe is found in Temp, AppData, or System32, runs without you opening the tool, lacks a valid digital signature, or reports abnormal drive activity, scan with antivirus software.

Why Is hdtune.exe Running on My PC?

HD Tune runs when you initiate a benchmark or enable health monitoring; it may also start if configured to launch at login by the user.

Reasons it's running:

Active Benchmark Run: You started a read/write benchmark; HD Tune loads tests and shows real-time results.
Health Monitoring: SMART data collection and drive health checks may keep the process resident during monitoring.
Startup or Tray Launch: If HD Tune is configured to start on login or has a tray icon, hdtune.exe may run briefly at startup.
Background Logging: Long-running logs of benchmark results or SMART history can keep the process active.
Drive Quick Check: Some users run quick checks that run in the background to verify health after disk changes.

Can I Disable or Remove hdtune.exe?

Yes, you can disable or remove hdtune.exe. If you don’t need HD Tune, uninstall it; you can also disable startup entries to stop it from launching automatically.

How to Stop hdtune.exe

Close HD Tune: Close the application window or click Stop Benchmark
End Process: Open Task Manager, locate hdtune.exe, and End Task
Disable Startup: Windows Task Manager -> Startup -> Disable HD Tune
Stop Background Logging: Within HD Tune, turn off automated logging or health checks

How to Uninstall HD Tune

✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & Features -> HD Tune -> Uninstall
✔ Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a program -> HD Tune -> Uninstall
✔ Reboot after uninstallation and remove any residual folders like C:\Program Files\HD Tune

Common Problems: HD Tune Benchmarks and Health Checks

If hdtune.exe behaves unexpectedly or benchmarks fail, try these common fixes.

Common Causes & Solutions

Program stalls during benchmark: Ensure exclusive drive access; close other heavy apps; run as Administrator to avoid permission issues during tests.
SMART data not displaying: Check drive supports SMART; ensure HD Tune is updated; restart the app and re-scan the device.
High CPU during tests: Benchmark is intensive; run at a lower thread count if available or perform single-pass tests.
External USB drive not readable: Connect drives directly to internal controller or update USB drivers; try a different USB port.
Inaccurate speeds: Ensure disk is idle before testing; disable caching and use correct test settings in HD Tune.
HD Tune crashes on startup: Update HD Tune to the latest version; reinstall if necessary and check for system integrity issues.

Quick Fixes:
1. Run HD Tune as Administrator to ensure proper permissions
2. Close other disk-intensive apps before benchmarking
3. Update HD Tune to the latest version from the official site
4. Verify drive health after tests using SMART data
5. If testing USB drives, try a different cable or port

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hdtune.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate hdtune.exe from EFD Software is not a virus. Ensure it is located in C:\Program Files\HD Tune\hdtune.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\HD Tune\hdtune.exe and signed by EFD Software.

How do I benchmark my disk with HD Tune?

Open HD Tune, select the target drive, and run the Benchmark tab to view sequential and random read/write speeds, with real-time graphs and health data.

Where is hdtune.exe located?

Common locations are C:\Program Files\HD Tune\hdtune.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\HD Tune\hdtune.exe. If you find it elsewhere, verify the publisher and signature.

Does HD Tune damage disks?

HD Tune tests read/write performance and SMART data without modifying user data during reads; writing tests can be configured but should be used judiciously.

Do I need admin rights to run HD Tune?

Running as Administrator is often recommended for full SMART access and to avoid permission issues on certain drives.

Can HD Tune monitor SMART data while benchmarking?

Yes. HD Tune can display SMART attributes alongside performance graphs, providing a quick health check during or after tests.