Is it a Virus?
ourth NO - Safe
Must be located in C:\\Program Files\\Opera GX\\Crash Reporter\\opera-gx-crash-reporter.exe
Warning
Many crash reports normal
Each crash event may trigger a report; the reporter runs in a separate process
Can I Disable?
ourth YES
Disable crash reporting from Opera GX settings or exit the browser
What is opera-gx-crash-reporter.exe?
opera-gx-crash-reporter.exe is a compact background utility included with Opera GX that activates when the browser crashes or when crash reporting is enabled. It creates crash dump data and sends anonymized reports to Opera's servers to assist developers in diagnosing and fixing issues. It does not capture personal content.
When Opera GX encounters a crash, the reporter launches as a separate process to collect a minidump, module list, and timing data, then forwards a sanitized report to Opera. Privacy safeguards are applied to limit data exposure and protect user anonymity.
Quick Fact: Opera GX pioneered lightweight crash reporting to help developers diagnose client-side crashes without exposing user data.
Types of Crash Reporter Processes
- Main Reporter: Orchestrates report submission and settings
- Crash Dump Writer: Generates minidumps when a crash occurs
- Telemetry Filter: Redacts PII before sending data
- Upload Agent: Submits reports to Opera servers
- Background Helper: Handles ancillary tasks during reporting
Is opera-gx-crash-reporter.exe Safe?
Yes, opera-gx-crash-reporter.exe is safe when it comes from an official Opera GX installation and is not tampered with.
Is opera-gx-crash-reporter.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real file is not a virus. However, malware can masquerade under similar names; verify the digital signature and path.
How to Tell if opera-gx-crash-reporter.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in C:\\Program Files\\Opera GX\\Crash Reporter\\opera-gx-crash-reporter.exe or C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Opera GX\\Crash Reporter\\opera-gx-crash-reporter.exe. Any other location is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file in File Explorer -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show Opera Software AS.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 0.2-2% CPU, 5-25 MB memory. Abnormally high usage when Opera GX is not crashing is suspicious.
- Behavior: Crashes trigger reports; the process should not be performing random network activity outside of reporting windows.
Red Flags: If opera-gx-crash-reporter.exe is located in unusual folders, runs when Opera GX is not open, lacks a valid signature, or consistently consumes high resources, scan your system with antivirus software. Be wary of similarly named files like "opera-gx-crash-reporter.exe" from untrusted sources.
Why Is opera-gx-crash-reporter.exe Running on My PC?
opera-gx-crash-reporter.exe runs to collect crash data and manage crash reporting for Opera GX. It may start when the browser crashes, during startup for telemetry, or when a report is queued.
Reasons it's running:
- Active crash reporting: The reporter is invoked automatically to capture data after a crash or failed operation in Opera GX.
- Background telemetry: Non-personal telemetry is gathered in the background to improve stability and reliability.
- User-initiated reporting: Crash reports can be triggered manually from crash dialogs or Help menus.
- Post-update diagnostics: Following updates, the reporter may run to ensure the build integrates correctly with telemetry.
- Startup and recovery: If Opera GX is configured to report at startup, the reporter may launch during system login or browser startup.
Can I Disable or Remove opera-gx-crash-reporter.exe?
Yes, you can disable opera-gx-crash-reporter.exe. It will stop collecting crash data; you may continue to use Opera GX, but crash reporting features won’t be active.
How to Stop opera-gx-crash-reporter.exe
- Open Opera GX Settings: Navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security and turn off options related to crash reporting or sharing crash data.
- Close Opera GX: Exit the browser completely to ensure no crash reports are being prepared.
- End the reporter process: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), locate opera-gx-crash-reporter.exe, right-click End Task.
- Prevent startup: In Task Manager > Startup tab, disable any Opera GX components that mention crash reporting or telemetry.
- Stop background apps: In Opera GX Settings > Privacy & Security, disable "Continue running background apps when Opera GX is closed" if present.
How to Uninstall Opera GX Crash Reporter
- ✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & Features -> Opera GX -> Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a program -> Opera GX -> Uninstall
- ✔ Note: Uninstalling Opera GX removes the crash reporter as part of the package.
Common Problems: Crash Reporter or Resource Use
If opera-gx-crash-reporter-exe is causing issues such as unexpected prompts or high CPU, follow these checks and fixes.
Common Causes & Solutions
- Frequent crashes trigger repeated reports: Update Opera GX to the latest version and ensure crash reporting is configured correctly.
- Background telemetry enabled without user action: Review and adjust privacy settings in Opera GX to limit telemetry.
- Corrupted crash report files: Clear crash report caches located in the Opera GX data folder and restart the browser.
- Outdated crash reporter component: Install the latest Opera GX update to refresh the crash reporter modules.
- Extensions or plugins triggering crashes: Disable problematic extensions and test Opera GX with extensions disabled.
- Malware mimicking the reporter: Run a full system antivirus scan and verify the file path and signature as described in safety checks.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Opera GX Task Manager (Shift+Esc) to identify offending tabs or processes.
2. Disable unnecessary extensions in chrome-like settings (opera://extensions).
3. Update Opera GX to the latest version.
4. Reset privacy settings to default and re-enable crash reporting if desired.
5. Perform a full malware scan if anything looks suspicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is opera-gx-crash-reporter-exe a virus?
No, the legitimate file from an official Opera GX installation is not a virus. Verify the path is C:\Program Files\Opera GX\Crash Reporter\opera-gx-crash-reporter.exe or the x86 equivalent and that the digital signature shows Opera Software AS.
Why is opera-gx-crash-reporter-exe running in the background?
It runs to collect crash data and telemetry to help developers fix issues in Opera GX. It is designed to be lightweight and non-intrusive.
Can I disable opera-gx-crash-reporter-exe?
Yes. You can disable crash reporting in Opera GX settings, or stop the process via Task Manager. Disabling may affect the ability to automatically diagnose crashes.
Where is opera-gx-crash-reporter-exe located on disk?
Common locations are C:\Program Files\Opera GX\Crash Reporter\opera-gx-crash-reporter.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera GX\Crash Reporter\opera-gx-crash-reporter.exe
Will disabling crash reporting affect Opera GX performance?
Disabling crash reporting does not affect normal browser performance, but you may lose automated diagnostic data that helps fix crashes.
What should I do if I suspect malware mimicking the crash reporter?
Run an antivirus scan, check the file path and signature, and compare with the official Opera GX installation directory. Remove any unsigned or suspicious duplicates.