What is opera-telemetry.exe?
opera-telemetry.exe is the dedicated telemetry component used by the Opera browser to collect anonymous usage data, feature adoption metrics, and crash reports. It runs alongside the main Opera UI in a multi-process architecture to reduce impact on your browsing.
This module operates under user consent to send aggregated, non-identifiable data for product improvement, stability fixes, and performance tuning without exposing personal content or addresses.
Quick Fact: Opera's telemetry helps prioritize features and fixes by aggregating usage patterns across millions of installations.
Types of Opera Processes
- Browser Process: Main Opera window and user interface (1 instance)
- Renderer Process: Each tab and iframe rendering (multiple instances)
- GPU Process: Hardware acceleration and graphics rendering
- Extension Process: Each Opera extension runs in its own process
- Telemetry Process: Collects and transmits usage data and crash reports
- Utility Process: Background tasks and network services
Is opera-telemetry.exe Safe?
Yes, opera-telemetry.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Opera downloaded from official sources.
Is opera-telemetry.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real opera-telemetry.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware sometimes disguises itself using similar names to trick users.
How to Tell if opera-telemetry.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Opera Software\Opera Stable\opera-telemetry.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera Software\Opera Stable\opera-telemetry.exe. Any opera-telemetry.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the process in Task Manager → Open file location → Right-click opera-telemetry.exe → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "Opera Software AS".
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is low during idle periods; typically 0.5-5% CPU and 20-120 MB memory. Constant high usage or spikes may indicate an issue.
- Behavior: Telemetry runs in the background and only transmits aggregated data when Opera is active or as configured in settings.
Red Flags: If opera-telemetry.exe is located outside the Opera install folder, lacks a valid digital signature, or constantly uses high resources without Opera running, scan with antivirus. Beware of similarly named files in Temp or AppData.
Why Is opera-telemetry.exe Running on My PC?
opera-telemetry.exe runs to report anonymous usage data and crash details to Opera servers, helping developers optimize features and fix issues without exposing personal content.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Browsing: Opera is open and collecting session metrics; telemetry can run to report interactions and crashes.
- Background Telemetry: Data collection for feature adoption and error reporting may occur even when tabs are idle.
- Startup and Update Checks: Telemetry initializes during startup and during update checks to monitor performance and reliability.
- Error Reporting: Crash reports and diagnostic data may trigger telemetry activity after a crash or freeze.
- Data Sync Health: Telemetry may run to verify that syncing and telemetry endpoints remain healthy across sessions.
Can I Disable or Remove opera-telemetry.exe?
Yes, you can disable opera-telemetry.exe. It won't affect core browsing, and you can stop it from running or data collection if preferred.
How to Stop opera-telemetry.exe
- End Telemetry in Opera Task Manager: Open Opera Task Manager (Shift+Esc) and end the telemetry process if shown as opera-telemetry.exe.
- Disable Telemetry in Settings: Open Opera Settings → Privacy & Security → Data Collection; toggle off 'Share usage data' or similar telemetry options.
- Prevent Startup: Disable Opera from auto-launching in Windows Task Manager → Startup tab or in Opera settings.
- Stop Background Apps: Settings → Advanced → System → Turn off 'Continue running background apps when Opera is closed'.
- Restart Opera: Close all Opera windows and relaunch to apply changes.
How to Uninstall Opera
- ✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & Features -> Opera -> Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a program -> Opera -> Uninstall
- ✔ Consider alternative browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If opera-telemetry.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Telemetry Data Collection: Disable "Share usage statistics" in Opera settings, then monitor resource usage after a restart.
- Background Extensions: Disable or remove extensions that may trigger telemetry activity or heavy network calls.
- Frequent Crashes or Diagnostics: If a feature or page crashes often, telemetry may collect diagnostics; run Opera in safe mode to test.
- Outdated Opera Version: Update to the latest Opera release; telemetry components improve with updates.
- High Traffic Websites: Web apps or heavy sites can drive telemetry activity; limit usage or close problematic tabs.
- Malware or Untrusted Extensions: Run an antivirus scan and remove any suspicious extensions; verify Opera install path.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Opera Task Manager (Shift+Esc) and end opera-telemetry.exe if necessary
2. Disable telemetry data sharing in Settings
3. Disable background apps: Settings -> Advanced -> System -> Turn off 'Continue running background apps when Opera is closed'
4. Update Opera to the latest version
5. Restart Opera and monitor resource usage
Frequently Asked Questions
Is opera-telemetry.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate opera-telemetry.exe from Opera is not a virus. It resides in the Opera install folder (C:\Program Files\Opera Software\Opera Stable) and is signed by Opera Software AS.
Why is opera-telemetry.exe using so much CPU?
Telemetry can spike when particular sites or features trigger diagnostics or when heavy web apps are active. Use Opera Task Manager (Shift+Esc) to identify the source and reduce data sharing or close offending tabs.
Can I disable opera-telemetry.exe?
Yes. In Opera, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Data Collection and turn off sharing usage data. You can also disable background tasks and startup as needed.
Can I uninstall Opera because of telemetry?
You can uninstall Opera from Windows Settings or Control Panel. Your bookmarks may be removed unless you back up data; you can reinstall Opera later if desired.
How do I verify opera-telemetry.exe is legitimate?
Check file location, digital signature (Opera Software AS), and match the file path to the install directory. Use Task Manager to inspect the process and verify its digital signature.
How can I reduce telemetry resource usage?
Disable data sharing, limit background telemetry, update Opera, and consider using Memory Saver or other performance options in Settings.