iometer.exe

What is iometer.exe?

iometer.exe is the Windows executable for IOmeter, a disk I/O benchmarking tool. It creates configurable workloads to measure storage performance across disks, volumes, and controllers, providing repeatable results for comparisons.

IOmeter uses worker threads to issue configurable I/O patterns (random/sequential) on target volumes, reporting IOPS, throughput, and latency. It supports multiple disks, block sizes, and queue depths to model real-world workloads.

Types of IOmeter Processes

• IOmeter Controller: Orchestrates workloads and aggregates results (1 instance)
• Worker Process: Issues I/O requests per configured pattern (multiple instances)
• Output Writer: Saves results to log files and CSV reports
• Monitoring Thread: Tracks progress and performance counters during tests

Is iometer.exe Safe?

Yes, iometer.exe is safe when obtained from a legitimate IOmeter distribution and run on a supported Windows system.

Is iometer.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real iometer.exe is NOT a virus. Malware can masquerade as IOmeter, so verify the file path and signature.

How to Tell if iometer.exe is Legitimate or Malware

1. File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\IOmeter\iometer.exe or C:\IOmeter\iometer.exe. Any iometer.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
2. Digital Signature: Right-click iometer.exe > Properties > Digital Signatures. Should show signer as "Intel Corporation" or the official IOmeter project.
3. Resource Usage: Normal idle CPU is low; a test may spike CPU during workloads. Constant high idle CPU is suspicious.
4. Behavior: IOmeter should run only when tests are executed. Background activity without a test or script is a red flag.

Why Is iometer.exe Running on My PC?

IOmeter starts or runs during benchmark sessions to generate controlled I/O workloads and collect results for storage performance assessment.

Reasons it's running:

• Active Benchmark Session: A configured IOmeter test is actively generating reads/writes against a target device.
• Background Workload Monitoring: IOmeter may keep monitoring threads running to log live performance data during tests.
• Automation or Scripting: A script or scheduler may invoke IOmeter to run unattended tests or collect periodic results.
• Multiple Worker Threads: IOmeter can spawn several worker processes to stress test the device, increasing resource usage during tests.
• Output and Logging: IOmeter writes results to log files or CSV reports, which keeps IOmeter.exe active while saving data.

Can I Disable or Remove iometer.exe?

Yes, you can disable iometer.exe. It's a benchmarking tool; you can stop tests, close the application, or uninstall IOmeter if no longer needed.

How to Stop iometer.exe

• End Active Test: In the IOmeter UI, stop the current workload and wait for data to finalize before exiting.
• Close Application: Close the IOmeter window or use Exit to shut down cleanly.
• Kill Process: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Escape), locate iometer.exe, right-click → End Task
• Prevent Startup: If IOmeter is set to start on boot, disable via Startup tab in Task Manager.
• Stop Background Logging: Ensure no scheduled tasks or services are invoking IOmeter unattended.

How to Uninstall IOmeter

• ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → IOmeter → Uninstall
• ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → IOmeter → Uninstall
• ✔ Delete the IOmeter folder if remnants exist (e.g., C:\Program Files\IOmeter or C:\IOmeter)

Common Problems: High CPU or Disk Usage During IOmeter Tests

If iometer.exe causes unexpected resource usage during tests:

Common Causes & Solutions

• Test workload configuration is too aggressive: Reduce worker count, queue depth, and block sizes to match the target storage capacity.
• Target device saturation: Limit concurrent I/O streams and stagger workloads to avoid overloading a single disk.
• Outdated IOmeter version: Update IOmeter to the latest release from the official distribution.
• Background antivirus scanning: Exclude IOmeter directory from real-time scanning during tests.
• Misconfigured test script: Review the XML/JSON workload configuration to ensure valid patterns and destinations.
• Insufficient permissions: Run IOmeter as Administrator to access raw devices or specific volumes.

Related Processes