MSIAfterburner.exe

MSI Afterburner Graphics Card Overclocking and Monitoring Utility

CPU Usage

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Memory

N/A

Location

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Publisher

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Publisher

MSI

Signed By

MSI (Micro-Star International Co., Ltd.)

Security Note

MSIAfterburner.exe should be digitally signed; if you obtain a binary from an unofficial source, replace it with the official installer.

Recommended Usage

Use MSI Afterburner and RTSS from official sources; maintain updated GPU drivers for reliable monitoring and OC features.

Uninstall Instructions

Use Windows Settings > Apps > MSI Afterburner > Uninstall to remove all components.

What is MSIAfterburner.exe?

MSIAfterburner.exe is the primary executable for MSI Afterburner. It launches the graphical user interface, loads your GPU profiles, and coordinates sensor data for real-time monitoring. It also communicates with the underlying GPU drivers to apply clock, voltage, and fan curve changes while supporting RTSS overlays for in-game stats.

MSIAfterburner.exe uses NVAPI/ADL driver hooks to read temps, clocks, and fan speeds and to apply clock/voltage tweaks. It stores configuration in the MSI Afterburner folder and coordinates with RTSS to render on-screen displays.

Is it Safe?

Is it a Virus?

Why is it Running?

Reasons it's running:

GPU hardware monitoring and real-time tuning: MSIAfterburner.exe reads temps, clocks, and voltages and allows on-the-fly adjustments to improve performance or thermals.
Overclock and fan curve management: It provides a user-friendly UI to set clocks, voltages, and fan curves across different profiles for games and workloads.
Profile storage and quick switching: MSIAfterburner saves multiple profiles and loads them per application or scenario, enabling fast switching.
RTSS integration for overlays: When RTSS is installed, MSIAfterburner coordinates with it to render in-game HUDs for FPS, temps, and clocks.
Startup and background monitoring: MSIAfterburner can start with Windows and run in the background to maintain monitoring even when you don’t interact with the UI.

Can I Disable or Remove It?

Common Problems

Common Causes & Solutions

: Update MSI Afterburner to the latest version and ensure GPU drivers are current; run as Administrator if needed.
: Enable overlay in RTSS, ensure proper profile is loaded, and disable full-screen optimization for the game if required.
: Limit sampling rate, disable unnecessary features, and ensure no conflicting monitoring tools are running in parallel.
: Save and load a profile explicitly, verify Windows power plan is set to High Performance, and ensure driver support is compatible with the clocks.
: Place profiles in the correct MSI Afterburner Profiles folder and enable 'Load at startup' in settings, then reboot to verify.
: Verify the binary is digitally signed by MSI, download from official source, and add to antivirus exclusions if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MSIAfterburner.exe safe to run, and what does it do?

Yes, MSIAfterburner.exe is the main UI for MSI Afterburner, used to monitor GPU sensors and adjust clocks/voltages with user profiles. Ensure you download from the official MSI source.

Where is MSIAfterburner.exe located on a typical system?

Default location is C:\Program Files (x86)\MSI Afterburner\MSIAfterburner.exe, with supporting files in the same folder and RTSS in the RTSS subfolder if installed.

Do I need RTSS to use MSI Afterburner effectively?

RTSS provides in-game overlays, but MSI Afterburner functions for monitoring and overclocking can operate independently. For overlays, RTSS integration is recommended.

Can MSI Afterburner be used on laptops with Optimus or different GPUs?

Yes, MSI Afterburner supports both NVIDIA and AMD GPUs and can run on laptops, but some vendor-specific power management features may limit overclocking options.

How do I uninstall MSI Afterburner safely?

Go to Windows Settings > Apps > MSI Afterburner > Uninstall, and optionally remove RTSS if you don’t want overlays or monitoring utilities remaining.

Why does MSIAfterburner.exe start with Windows and stay in the background?

If the 'Start with Windows' option is enabled, MSIAfterburner.exe will launch at login to provide ready monitoring and quick access for overclocking.