Quick Answer
killer-control-center.exe is safe. It's the official Killer Networking Control Center UI that configures network profiles, QoS, and driver settings. It runs as multiple processes for UI and background tasks.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be located in C:\Program Files\Killer Networking\Killer Control Center\killer-control-center.exe
Warning
Multiple legitimate processes
Killer Control Center may spawn background services and worker processes; not all are UI windows.
Can I Disable?
YES
Close the UI via the close button or system tray; disable startup in Task Manager if desired.
What is killer-control-center.exe?
killer-control-center.exe is the executable for the Killer Networking Control Center. It provides a graphical user interface to manage Killer network adapters, set performance profiles, prioritize traffic, and monitor connection quality.
The software uses a multi-process model: a main UI process, renderer/workers, and background services to handle driver configuration, telemetry, and profile application without freezing the interface.
Quick Fact: Killer's Control Center was designed to optimize gaming traffic with hardware-based prioritization and adaptive QoS.
Types of Killer Processes
- Control Center UI: Main window and settings UI (1 instance)
- Driver Helper: Component that applies profile changes to network adapters
- Telemetry Service: Background service collecting performance data
- Profile Manager: Handles application-specific network profiles
- Background Updater: Checks for software updates and firmware checks
- Compatibility Layer: Ensures compatibility with Windows networking stack
Is killer-control-center.exe Safe?
Yes, killer-control-center.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Killer Networking, downloaded from official sources or bundled with your manufacturer software.
Is killer-control-center.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real killer-control-center.exe is NOT a virus. Malware may mimic names; verify location and signature.
How to Tell if killer-control-center.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Should be in
C:\Program Files\Killer Networking\Killer Control Center\killer-control-center.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Killer Networking\Killer Control Center\killer-control-center.exe.
- Digital Signature: Right-click killer-control-center.exe → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "Killer Networking" or "Rivet Networks".
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is low when idle; occasional spikes during profile changes are typical.
- Behavior: Should launch with Windows only if configured; unexpected background launches may indicate tampering.
Red Flags: If killer-control-center.exe is found in unusual folders (Temp, AppData), lacks a valid signature, or runs at startup without your consent, scan with antivirus. Be wary of similarly-named files.
Why Is killer-control-center.exe Running on My PC?
Killer Control Center runs when you start the app, apply network profiles, or when Windows starts a background service for driver optimization and QoS rules.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Network Management: You are actively using Killer profiles to optimize gaming or streaming; the UI may keep a live session.
- Background Services: Telemetry, updater, or driver helper services run to apply changes and monitor adapter health.
- Startup Launch: Killer software can be configured to start at Windows boot to apply default profiles automatically.
- Profile Sync: Profiles synchronized from your Killer account or locally stored ones apply network QoS rules in real time.
- Driver and Firmware Checks: Background checks ensure drivers and firmware are up to date and configurations match hardware capabilities.
Can I Disable or Remove killer-control-center.exe?
Yes, you can disable killer-control-center.exe. It's safe to close the UI, and you can uninstall the Killer Networking software if you prefer a different setup.
How to Stop killer-control-center.exe
- End Keyboard/Mouse Overlays: Close the UI or use Quit; ensure the overlay components aren't sending events.
- Close the UI: Click the X button or select Exit from the tray icon menu.
- End Background Services: Open Task Manager, locate Killer Network Service or related processes, and End Task.
- Prevent Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Killer Control Center.
- Stop Automatic Updates: Open the app settings and disable automatic updates; or uninstall entirely.
How to Uninstall Killer Control Center
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Killer Control Center → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Killer Control Center → Uninstall
- ✔ Consider using official removal tool from Killer Networking if provided
Common Problems: High CPU/Memory or Connectivity Issues
If killer-control-center.exe is consuming resources or causing connection problems:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Many network profiles loaded: Review and remove unused profiles in the Killer Control Center; disable auto-apply on startup if needed.
- Background services misbehaving: Restart the Killer Network Service and related components; check for updates and reinstall if necessary.
- Driver or firmware mismatch: Update drivers from official Killer Networking site; ensure firmware supports your NIC.
- Outdated software: Update to latest version via Help → Check for updates; restart after update.
- Conflicting software: Disable other network optimization tools or security suites that may conflict with Killer components.
- High CPU from UI rendering: Reduce refresh rate of UI or disable live telemetry in settings; ensure hardware acceleration is compatible.
Quick Fixes:
1. Close the UI via system tray, then reopen to clear transient state
2. Restart Killer Network Service from Task Manager
3. Check for updates and install
4. Reset to default profile in Control Center
5. Reboot the PC if issues persist
Frequently Asked Questions
Is killer-control-center.exe safe?
Yes, the legitimate killer-control-center.exe is part of the Killer Networking Control Center. Verify path C:\Program Files\Killer Networking\Killer Control Center\killer-control-center.exe and digital signature.
Why is it using CPU when I'm not gaming?
Background profiling, telemetry, or overlay features may run even when idle. Check in Control Center and disable non-essential features.
Can I uninstall it?
Yes, you can uninstall via Windows Settings → Apps. This will remove Killer networking features; you can reinstall later if needed.
Can I disable it from starting with Windows?
Yes, disable in Task Manager → Startup or within the Control Center startup settings.
What should I do if I can't launch Killer Control Center?
Ensure drivers are installed, run as administrator, and reinstall the software if needed. Check event logs for details.
Where can I download updates?
Download updates from official Killer Networking site or through the Control Center's Update check feature.