Quick Answer
killer-network-service.exe is legitimate. It is the background service for Killer Networking software that manages QoS, game-mode optimizations, and driver communication to improve network latency.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Should be located under Program Files\Killer Networking\Killer Network Service\killer-network-service.exe
Warning
Common background service
May run even when not actively using network features
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Disabling may degrade network optimization; you can stop service via Services.msc or Task Manager
What is killer-network-service.exe?
Killer Network Service is the background Windows service that powers Killer Networking’s QoS, latency reduction, and game mode features. It communicates with the network adapter and driver to prioritize gaming and streaming traffic while maintaining normal connectivity for other apps.
The service runs as killer-network-service.exe and coordinates with the Killer driver stack to apply per-application priority rules, adjust queue weights, and monitor link status, enabling smoother gameplay and responsiveness.
Quick Fact: The service operates continuously in the background to adapt to changing network conditions without user intervention.
Types of Killer Network Service Components
- Service Manager: Core Windows service that initializes on boot and coordinates components
- Driver Communicator: Interfaces with the Killer NIC/Wireless driver to apply rules
- QoS Controller: Manages per-app bandwidth prioritization
- Game/App Optimizer: Tunnels and optimizes latency for games and streaming apps
- Telemetry & Updates: Collects usage data per policy and updates components
- UI Helper: Back-end hooks used by the Control Center UI
Is killer-network-service.exe Safe?
Yes, killer-network-service.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Rivet Networks / Killer Networking downloaded from official sources.
Is killer-network-service.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real killer-network-service.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware may masquerade under similar names; verify the file path and signature.
How to Tell if killer-network-service.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Killer Networking\Killer Network Service\killer-network-service.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Killer Networking\Killer Network Service\killer-network-service.exe. Any other path is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click killer-network-service.exe in Explorer 92 Properties 92 Digital Signatures. Should show a valid signer such as "Killer Networking, LLC" or "Rivet Networks, LLC".
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-5% CPU and 40-160 MB RAM. Persistent high usage warrants malware scan.
- Behavior: Service should start with Windows and run in background. If it disappears or spawns unknown processes, investigate.
Red Flags: If killer-network-service.exe is found outside the Program Files tree, lacks a digital signature, or constantly spikes in CPU/memory without related activity, scan with antivirus and consider reinstalling Killer Networking components.
Why Is killer-network-service.exe Running on My PC?
The Killer Network Service runs to manage QoS rules, prioritize gaming traffic, and keep the Killer adapter driver synchronized with Windows so you get lower latency and stable connections.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Gaming or Streaming: Your games or streaming apps trigger per-app priority and low-latency paths.
- Background Network Optimization: The service continuously optimizes queues and app priorities even when you aren't actively gaming.
- Driver and Software Updates: Windows/startup and Killer Control Center may keep the service alive to apply updates.
- Startup and Auto-launch: The service may be configured to start with Windows for immediate readiness.
- Telemetry and Configuration Sync: The service may exchange configuration and telemetry with the Killer Control Center to keep profiles up to date.
Can I Disable or Remove killer-network-service.exe?
Yes, you can disable killer-network-service.exe. Stopping the service may impact QoS and game-mode features; uninstalling the Killer Networking software removes it entirely.
How to Stop killer-network-service.exe
- Stop via Services: Open services.msc, locate Killer Network Service, click Stop, then set Startup type to Manual or Disabled.
- Stop via Task Manager: Open Task Manager, find killer-network-service.exe, End Task if needed (not recommended long term).
- Prevent Startup: In Task Manager → Startup tab, disable Killer Network Service.
- Revoke Background Running: In Killer Control Center, disable Continue running in background if available.
- Uninstall if Desired: Use Settings → Apps → Killer Networking → Uninstall to remove the software.
How to Uninstall Killer Networking Software
- ✔ Windows Settings Apps Apps & Features Killer Networking Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel Programs Uninstall a program Killer Networking Uninstall
- ✔ Restart the computer after uninstall
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If killer-network-service.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Active game or streaming traffic: Ensure only relevant apps have high priority; adjust profiles in Killer Control Center
- Outdated killer software: Update to the latest Killer Networking software from the official site
- Background optimization: Allow the service to run in background; if needed, adjust Power settings
- Conflicting network tool: Disable other VPN or traffic shaping tools that compete with Killer
- Malware infection: Run a full antivirus scan and verify signer
- Hardware driver issue: Reinstall or repair Killer driver via Device Manager or Control Center
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Killer Control Center and review active profiles
2. Update Killer Networking software to the latest version
3. Disable unnecessary profiles causing spikes
4. Restart the Killer Network Service
5. Run full system malware scan if anomalies persist
Frequently Asked Questions
Is killer-network-service.exe safe?
Yes, when located in the official Program Files path and properly signed by Killer Networking or Rivet Networks.
Why is killer-network-service.exe running at startup?
To provide immediate QoS and latency optimization as soon as Windows boots, reducing startup delays for gaming.
Can I disable killer-network-service.exe without harming my PC?
Disabling may impact game-focused features; you can disable startup and stop the service, then adjust profiles as needed.
How do I verify killer-network-service.exe is legitimate?
Check file path under Program Files, review Digital Signatures, and confirm the signer matches Killer Networking or Rivet Networks.
I see unusually high network activity; what should I do?
Update software, review active profiles, and run a malware scan if behavior is suspicious or unrecognized.
How do I uninstall Killer Networking software?
Use Windows Settings → Apps → Killer Networking → Uninstall, then reboot and update drivers from official sources if needed.