Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be in C:\Program Files (x86)\MSI Afterburner\ or C:\Program Files\MSI Afterburner\ with a valid MSI signature
Warning
Common legitimate activity
MSIAfterburner may spawn multiple helper processes for sensors and RTSS; high CPU/memory usually from overlay or active scans
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
You can close MSI Afterburner or disable startup, and turn off RTSS overlay if desired
What is MSIAfterburner.exe?
MSIAfterburner.exe is the executable for MSI Afterburner, a popular graphics card overclocking and hardware monitoring tool. It reads real-time sensor data, controls fan curves, and can render an on-screen display through RTSS when installed.
MSIAfterburner communicates with NVIDIA/AMD drivers to fetch temps, clocks, voltages, and fan speeds. It may spawn helper processes for sensors and RTSS rendering; the GUI runs in the foreground or as a background service.
Quick Fact: MSI Afterburner is often bundled with RTSS for overlay, making real-time monitoring seamless during gameplay.
Types of MSI Afterburner Components
- Main GUI: User interface for overclocking, fan curves, and sensor monitoring (1 instance)
- RTSS Overlay: On-screen display for real-time stats (optional)
- Monitoring Service: Background sensor polling and data logging
- Fan Control Module: Dynamic fan curve management per GPU
- Driver Hook Layer: Interfaces with NVIDIA/AMD drivers to fetch metrics
- Helper Processes: Auxiliary processes for sensors and stability checks
Is msiafterburner.exe Safe?
Yes, msiafterburner.exe is safe when obtained from MSI and installed from official sources (msi.com or major retailers).
Is msiafterburner.exe a Virus or Malware?
The legitimate msiafterburner.exe is not a virus. However, counterfeit installers can exist; verify digital signature and path.
How to Tell if msiafterburner.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSI Afterburner\ or C:\Program Files\MSI Afterburner\. Any msiafterburner.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer or Task Manager → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show a valid MSI signature.
- Version & Publisher: Check that the publisher is listed as MSI and the version matches the official release.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is modest; extremely high constant usage with no user action may indicate tampering.
Red Flags: If msiafterburner.exe is located in unusual folders (Temp, AppData) or lacks a digital signature, reinstall from MSI official site.
Why Is msiafterburner.exe Running on My PC?
MSIAfterburner runs to monitor GPU sensors, adjust fan curves, and provide optional overlays; it can run at startup or when you open MSI Afterburner.
Reasons it's running:
- Active overclocking session: You are adjusting GPU clocks, voltages, or fan curves; the app polls sensors to reflect changes in real time.
- RTSS overlay enabled: RTSS displays in-game stats; it runs alongside MSIAfterburner to render the overlay.
- Background monitoring: MSIAfterburner keeps sensors active for temperature and frequency monitoring even when the GUI is minimized.
- Startup/Background service: MSIAfterburner can launch at Windows startup and keep background processes for ongoing monitoring.
- Fan curve automation: If you configured automatic fan curves, the app will run to enforce those rules in real time.
Can I Disable or Remove msiafterburner.exe?
Yes, you can disable msiafterburner.exe. You can close the app, disable startup, or uninstall MSI Afterburner.
How to Stop msiafterburner.exe
- Close MSI Afterburner: Click the Exit or close button in the main window.
- Disable Startup: MSI Afterburner settings → General → uncheck 'Start with Windows' or disable from Task Manager → Startup.
- Close RTSS Overlay: In RTSS, disable the overlay or unbind from the hotkeys.
- End Process: Open Task Manager, locate MSIAfterburner.exe and End Task.
- Uninstall: Uninstall MSI Afterburner from Apps & Features or Programs and Features in Control Panel.
How to Uninstall MSI Afterburner
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → MSI Afterburner → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → MSI Afterburner → Uninstall
- ✔ Reboot your PC after removal and delete leftover RTSS folder if present
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If msiafterburner.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Active sensor polling with RTSS overlay: Disable RTSS overlay or reduce polling intervals in MSI Afterburner settings.
- Excessive number of sensors: Disable unused sensors in MSI Afterburner; keep essential readouts only.
- Background monitoring with startup: Disable startup and ensure MSI Afterburner isn't running all the time.
- Incompatible drivers: Update GPU drivers to the latest version and reinstall MSI Afterburner if needed.
- Too many Active fan curves: Consolidate fan curves or disable automatic fan curves for certain GPUs.
- Outdated MSI Afterburner version: Update to the latest MSI Afterburner release from the official site.
Quick Fixes:
1. Close MSI Afterburner and RTSS overlay using their UI
2. Update drivers and MSI Afterburner
3. Disable non-essential sensors in MSI Afterburner
4. Restart the PC after changes
5. Check for background processes in Task Manager
Frequently Asked Questions
Is msiafterburner.exe safe?
Yes, if downloaded from MSI's official site and installed properly. Verify the path is C:\Program Files (x86)\MSI Afterburner\MSIAfterburner.exe or C:\Program Files\MSI Afterburner\MSIAfterburner.exe and that it has an MSI digital signature.
What does MSI Afterburner do?
MSIAfterburner provides GPU overclocking, fan curve control, and real-time sensors; it may run RTSS for an in-game overlay.
Why is msiafterburner.exe using CPU 100%?
Only when heavy sensor polling or RTSS overlay is active; otherwise it should stay low. Check for rogue extensions or overlay conflicts.
Can I disable RTSS overlay?
Yes, open RTSS and disable the overlay option or unbind the hotkeys.
How do I update MSI Afterburner?
Download the latest version from the official MSI site and install; MSI Afterburner will guide you through update if a newer version is detected.
Where is MSI Afterburner installed?
Commonly in C:\Program Files (x86)\MSI Afterburner or C:\Program Files\MSI Afterburner depending on system architecture and installer options.