Quick Answer
network-monitor-service.exe is legitimate. It is the background Windows service for TechNova's Network Monitor package, responsible for continuous network health checks, device status, and alerting to the management console.
Is it a Virus?
NO - Safe
Must be located in C:\Program Files\NetworkMonitor\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\NetworkMonitor\
Warning
Service components run in background
Multiple modules may operate as child processes; check event logs for anomalies.
Can I Disable?
YES
Disabling the service will stop monitoring until re-enabled via Services.msc or startup configuration
What is network-monitor-service.exe?
network-monitor-service.exe is the Windows service component of TechNova's Network Monitor Suite. It runs in the background to collect metrics, verify device availability, perform heartbeat checks, and report issues to the central console.
It operates as a Windows service with its own worker threads, using SNMP/ICMP polling, performance counters, and log writers to monitor network health and connectivity across devices.
Quick Fact: The Network Monitor Service is designed to run continuously in the background, raising alerts when thresholds are exceeded.
Types of Network Monitor Processes
- Service Process: Core Windows service handling scheduling and coordination
- Worker Process: Performs polling and data collection tasks
- Logger Process: Writes event and audit logs to the local event log
- Alerting Agent: Dispatches alerts to the management console or SIEM
- Heartbeat Manager: Maintains periodic health checks and restarts tasks if needed
- Config Loader: Loads monitoring profiles and thresholds from config
Is network-monitor-service.exe Safe?
Yes, network-monitor-service.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from TechNova installed from official sources.
Is network-monitor-service.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real file is NOT a virus. Malware may mimic names; verify with digital signatures and proper location.
How to Tell if network-monitor-service.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\NetworkMonitor\network-monitor-service.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\NetworkMonitor\network-monitor-service.exe. Other locations are suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show signer "TechNova Solutions".
- Resource Usage: Normal CPU usage is typically 0-8% when idle; memory usage 50-150 MB. Constant high usage or spikes may indicate issues.
- Behavior: Should run as a Windows service. If it appears as a regular user process or not listed in Services, investigate.
Red Flags: If network-monitor-service.exe is outside the NetworkMonitor folder, lacks a valid signature, runs as a non-service user, or remains active when the system is idle, scan with antivirus and verify with TechNova support.
Why Is network-monitor-service.exe Running on My PC?
The Network Monitor Service runs to continuously assess network health, ping devices, collect statistics, and trigger alerts. It may start at boot or run when a monitoring profile activates.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Network Monitoring: The service performs ongoing polling of devices, links, and performance counters to detect issues.
- Startup and Uptime Checks: Configured to start with Windows or the application, ensuring monitoring begins immediately after login.
- Background Data Collection: Collects logs, SNMP traps, and flow data to feed dashboards and alerting rules.
- Alerting and Incident Notification: Sends warnings to the management console and can trigger automated remediation workflows.
- Redundancy and Reliability: Designed to run as a service with watchdogs to restart failed tasks and maintain resilience.
Can I Disable or Remove network-monitor-service.exe?
Yes, you can disable network-monitor-service.exe. It’s safe to stop monitoring temporarily or uninstall the Network Monitor package if you no longer need it.
How to Stop network-monitor-service.exe
- Stop via Services: Open Services (services.msc), locate Network Monitor Service, click Stop.
- Change Startup Type: Right-click the service, choose Properties, set Startup type to Manual or Disabled, then Apply.
- Disable Startup: If you use Task Manager's Startup tab, disable the Network Monitor Service entry if present.
- Stop Related Tasks: If included, stop any companion processes under the NetworkMonitor umbrella.
- Validate: Reboot or sign in to verify the service remains stopped.
How to Uninstall Network Monitor
- ✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & Features -> Network Monitor -> Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel -> Programs -> Programs and Features -> Network Monitor -> Uninstall
- ✔ Follow installer prompts to remove all components; consider keeping a lightweight monitor if needed
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If network-monitor-service.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Frequent polling intervals or large device lists: Reduce polling interval and trim the list of monitored devices in the configuration or dashboard.
- Inefficient queries or SNMP polls: Tune SNMP settings, limit concurrent polls, and apply rate limits.
- Logging verbosity: Lower log level or filter logs; archive old logs regularly.
- Outdated software: Update to the latest version of Network Monitor to benefit from performance fixes.
- Conflicting software: Disable unrelated network tools that could share resources; ensure proper port usage.
- Hardware acceleration or drivers: Update NIC drivers; adjust performance-related settings in the monitor config.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Services.msc and restart the Network Monitor Service
2. Reduce polling frequency in config and limit monitored devices
3. Clear logs or rotate logs to free IO resources
4. Update to latest Network Monitor version
5. Verify firewall rules allow required communication
Frequently Asked Questions
Is network-monitor-service.exe malware?
No, the legitimate file is part of TechNova's Network Monitor Suite and should reside under C:\Program Files\NetworkMonitor with a valid digital signature.
Why is network-monitor-service.exe running at startup?
It is configured to start with Windows or the monitoring application to begin health checks immediately after login.
Can I disable network-monitor-service.exe permanently?
Yes, you can disable the service via Services.msc or set the startup type to Disabled; you can uninstall the product if you no longer need it.
How do I reduce its resource usage?
Lower polling intervals, reduce monitored devices, disable verbose logging, and ensure you’re on the latest version of Network Monitor.
Where can I find logs for network-monitor-service.exe?
Logs are typically in C:\ProgramData\NetworkMonitor\Logs or in the Windows Event Viewer under Applications and Services Logs.
What should I do if I suspect tampering?
Verify signatures, check file path, review recent changes, run full antivirus/malware scan, and contact TechNova support if needed.