rtkngui64.exe

Realtek Network GUI

Application ProcessSafeNetwork Utility

CPU Usage

0-3%

Memory

15-60 MB

Location

C:\Program Files\Realtek\Network GUI

Publisher

Realtek Semiconductor Corp.

Quick Answer

rtkngui64.exe is safe. Realtek's official Network GUI front-end that manages Realtek NIC drivers and settings; it may run in the background or launch with the system to monitor network status.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in C:\Program Files\Realtek\Network GUI\RtkNGUI64.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Realtek\Network GUI\RtkNGUI64.exe

Warning

Many processes normal

Realtek GUI may spawn helper processes; ensure resides under Realtek folders

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Close the GUI or disable startup; the Network GUI is optional for network management

What is rtkngui64.exe?

rtkngui64.exe is the 64-bit Realtek Network GUI front-end used to manage Realtek network adapters (wired and wireless). It provides status indicators, configuration options, and interface controls for NIC drivers, often launching with Windows or when network changes occur.

The Realtek Network GUI communicates with the NIC driver stack via a local IPC channel and updates UI elements based on driver events. It runs as a user‑mode process and does not perform kernel‑level operations; it relies on the Realtek driver to actually handle network traffic.

Quick Fact: Realtek's Network GUI is commonly bundled with LAN/WLAN drivers and can be launched manually or via startup items to manage NICs.

Types of Realtek Network GUI Processes

UI Process: Main Realtek Network GUI window and user controls
Background Helper: Non-UI background tasks that assist with status polling
Driver Communication: IPC channel with the Realtek network driver
Updater/Agent: Checks for driver/utility updates from Realtek servers
Tray/Icon Helper: System tray icon launcher and quick-access utilities
Crash/Recovery: Crash recovery UI components that provide diagnostics

Is rtkngui64.exe Safe?

Yes, rtkngui64.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Realtek Semiconductor Corp. downloaded from official Realtek sources or bundled with genuine driver installers.

Is rtkngui64.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real rtkngui64.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware can imitate Realtek filenames. Validate with file path, digital signature, and publisher.

How to Tell if rtkngui64.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\Realtek\Network GUI\RtkNGUI64.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Realtek\Network GUI\RtkNGUI64.exe. Any other location is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the file → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "Realtek Semiconductor Corp."
Resource Usage: Normal usage is low when idle; check for high usage only when network activity is expected.
Behavior: Should not modify system settings or install software without consent.

Red Flags: If rtkngui64.exe is located in Temp, AppData, or System32, lacks a valid Realtek signature, or runs without a real NIC present, scan with antivirus and verify driver provenance.

Why Is rtkngui64.exe Running on My PC?

rtkngui64.exe runs when Realtek NIC software or the Realtek Network GUI is installed. It may stay active to monitor NIC status, allow configuration, or respond to network changes.

Reasons it's running:

Active Network Adapter Use: You have a Realtek wired or wireless NIC in use; the GUI monitors link status and settings.
Background Status Polling: The utility polls NIC status to reflect changes in real-time.
Startup Execution: The Network GUI is configured to launch at Windows startup for quick access.
Driver Update Checks: The GUI may check for driver or utility updates automatically.
System Tray Integration: The GUI provides a tray icon and quick actions when you interact with it.

Can I Disable or Remove rtkngui64.exe?

Yes, you can disable rtkngui64.exe. If you do not need Realtek NIC management, you can prevent startup and close the GUI when not in use.

How to Stop rtkngui64.exe

End UI Tasks: In Task Manager, end the Realtek GUI process if it becomes unresponsive.
Close GUI: Use the X button to close the Realtek Network GUI window.
Prevent Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Realtek Network GUI
Disable Background: If available, turn off Realtek background services or tray icon in the GUI settings.
Uninstall Tool: Uninstall Realtek Network GUI via Apps & Features if you will not use Realtek NIC management.

How to Uninstall Realtek Network GUI

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Realtek Network GUI → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Realtek Network GUI → Uninstall
✔ Optionally update or reinstall Realtek drivers if you plan to keep NIC functionality

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If rtkngui64.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Too Many NICs or Complex Network Configs: Reduce live monitoring by closing some network views or disabling extra adapters in the GUI.
Background Monitoring: Disable non-essential background checks within GUI settings or disable startup.
Driver-UI Mismatch: Update Realtek NIC drivers and GUI to compatible versions from the official Realtek site.
Corrupt Profile: Reset Realtek Network GUI settings or recreate network profiles.
Outdated Software: Update to the latest Realtek GUI and NIC drivers.
Conflicting Software: Disable other network management tools that may conflict with Realtek GUI.

Quick Fixes:
1. Open Task Manager and end the rtkngui64.exe task if unresponsive
2. Update Realtek NIC drivers from the official Realtek site
3. Reset Realtek GUI settings to defaults
4. Disable Realtek GUI startup to reduce background activity
5. Scan for malware if resource usage seems abnormal

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rtkngui64.exe legitimate?

Yes, rtkngui64.exe is a legitimate Realtek Network GUI component when obtained from Realtek driver packages or official Realtek software. Verify the path and digital signature.

Why is Realtek Network GUI using CPU?

CPU usage can spike when monitoring multiple NICs, performing updates, or scanning for changes. Check the GUI's status page and update drivers if needed.

Can I delete rtkngui64.exe?

If you don’t need the Realtek NIC management utilities, you can uninstall via Apps & Features. Deleting system files may affect NIC control.

Can I disable Realtek Network GUI at startup?

Yes. Use Task Manager → Startup to disable Realtek Network GUI so it won't start on boot.

What if I can't find the file?

Look in typical paths like C:\Program Files\Realtek\Network GUI\RtkNGUI64.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Realtek\Network GUI\RtkNGUI64.exe. If not found, reinstall the Realtek NIC drivers.

How do I update Realtek Network GUI?

Update Realtek NIC drivers from the Realtek website or via Windows Update; the GUI is typically bundled with driver updates.