Quick Answer
resmon.exe is safe. Windows Resource Monitor is a built-in diagnostic utility that shows real-time CPU, memory, disk I/O, and network usage.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be located in C:\Windows\System32\resmon.exe
Multiple instances?
Typically a single process; multiple resmon.exe instances can indicate malware or monitoring tools misreporting.
Use Task Manager to verify by right-clicking resmon.exe > Open file location and check digital signature.
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
You can end the resmon.exe process from Task Manager if Resource Monitor is open; Windows may restart it as part of system monitoring.
What is resmon.exe?
resmon.exe is the Windows Resource Monitor executable that powers the Resource Monitor tool in Windows. It provides real-time data on CPU, memory, disk I/O, and network usage, and integrates with PerfMon and Task Manager to help diagnose performance bottlenecks.
Resource Monitor collects per-process and per-resource performance counters through Windows performance data sources, presenting live graphs and tables. It queries CPU, memory, disk I/O, and network activity to help identify bottlenecks and verify system health.
Quick Fact: Resource Monitor is integrated with PerfMon and Task Manager to show per-process counters and real-time resource usage in a single view.
Types of Resource Monitor Components
- UI Component: User interface for Resource Monitor window and data visualization
- Counter Provider: Collects CPU, memory, disk I/O, and network counters from the system
- Data Refresh Thread: Periodic polling thread updating the UI with fresh data
- Process Association: Links per-process counters to running processes for display
Is resmon.exe Safe?
Yes, resmon.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Microsoft downloaded from official sources (microsoft.com) or pre-installed by Windows.
Is resmon.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real resmon.exe is NOT a virus. Malware may masquerade with similar names to trick users.
How to Tell if resmon.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Windows\System32\resmon.exe. Any resmon.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer > Properties > Digital Signatures. Should show a valid Microsoft signature (e.g., 'Microsoft Corporation').
- Resource Metrics: Normal usage is minimal when idle; check Task Manager for related counters to confirm accuracy.
- Behavior: Resmon.exe should launch when you open Resource Monitor or PerfMon; unseen background activity warrants a malware check.
Red Flags: If resmon.exe is found outside C:\Windows\System32, lacks a digital signature, or runs in the background without opening Resource Monitor, scan for malware immediately.
Why Is resmon.exe Running on My PC?
resmon.exe runs to supply data to the Windows Resource Monitor and related diagnostic tools. It may start when you open Resource Monitor or when Windows is performing health checks that require live system counters.
Reasons it's running:
- Open Resource Monitor: You launched Resource Monitor manually, which starts resmon.exe to collect and display live data.
- Background Performance Data: Windows collects ongoing CPU, memory, disk I/O, and network counters for system health dashboards.
- PerfMon or Diagnostics Tasks: PerfMon templates or diagnostics tasks trigger resmon.exe to feed performance graphs and reports.
- Automatic Health Checks: Windows safety and reliability features may initiate monitoring services that rely on resmon to report counts.
- System Boot/Resume: Resource Monitor can be configured to start during boot or resume to monitor ongoing activity.
Can I Disable or Remove resmon.exe?
Not advisable because Resource Monitor is a built-in Windows utility used for performance diagnosis. You can end the process, but Windows may restart it when required.
How to Stop resmon.exe
- End when Open: In Task Manager, locate resmon.exe under Processes and click End Task.
- Close Resource Monitor: Close the Resource Monitor window if it is open.
- Prevent Opened Instances: Do not launch Resource Monitor or Performance Monitor.
- Disable Startup Influence: There is no direct toggle; avoid related performance monitoring tasks in Task Scheduler.
- Check for Background Tasks: Review Windows Reliability Monitor or PerfMon tasks to minimize automatic data collection.
Can I Uninstall resmon.exe?
- ✔ resmon.exe is a built-in Windows component and cannot be uninstalled separately. You can choose not to use Resource Monitor.
- ✔ To reduce exposure, rely on Task Manager for quick checks and avoid opening Resource Monitor.
- ✔ Consider using third-party monitoring tools if you require different metrics.
Common Problems: Resource Monitor Performance
If resmon.exe or Resource Monitor is acting up or consuming unusual resources, try the following checks and fixes.
Common Causes & Solutions
- Resource Monitor Not Updating: Refresh by closing and reopening Resource Monitor, or restart Explorer.exe if UI stops updating.
- High CPU During Monitoring: Reduce counters or close unused tabs/windows in Resource Monitor; ensure Windows updates are current.
- Excessive Disk I/O Counters: Filter to only necessary counters; disable rarely used counters in Resource Monitor's View settings.
- Poor Performance on Startup: ResMon can start at boot with certain diagnostics; disable unnecessary startup tasks; update Windows.
- No Data for Network Counters: Ensure network adapters are enabled and drivers up to date; reboot if counters fail to populate.
- Corrupted Counter Data: Reset performance counters via elevated Command Prompt: lodctr /r and lodctr /R.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Resource Monitor via Task Manager: Ctrl+Shift+Esc > Performance > Open Resource Monitor
2. Refresh data by restarting Resource Monitor
3. Check for Windows updates and driver updates
4. Limit counters to essential metrics to reduce load
5. Restart Windows if counters stopped updating
Frequently Asked Questions
Is resmon.exe safe?
Yes. resmon.exe is a legitimate Microsoft tool located in C:\Windows\System32 and is used by Resource Monitor. Ensure digital signature from Microsoft.
Why is resmon.exe running on my PC?
It runs when you open Resource Monitor or Windows diagnostics require live system counters. It may also run if explorer or PerfMon triggers monitoring tasks.
Can I disable resmon.exe?
You can end the process when Resource Monitor is open, but Windows may restart it automatically when needed. There is no uninstall option.
How do I open Resource Monitor?
Open Task Manager, go to Performance tab, and click Open Resource Monitor. Alternatively search for 'Resource Monitor' in the Start menu.
What is the difference between Task Manager and Resource Monitor?
Task Manager provides quick process-level info and basic performance, while Resource Monitor offers more granular counters, per-process breakdowns, and live data for CPU, memory, disk, and network.