Is it a Virus?
0 NO - Safe
Must be in C:\Program Files\SensorTech\SensorReader\sensor-reader.exe
Warning
Multiple processes expected
Each sensor stream or driver interface can spawn a separate process
Can I Disable?
0 YES
Disable via Services or startup options; see Can I Disable or Remove section
What is sensor-reader.exe?
sensor-reader.exe is the executable for TechSensors' Sensor Data Reader. It collects hardware sensor data (temperature, voltage, fan speeds, and other device telemetry) and streams readings to local applications or dashboards. It runs as a lightweight service to continuously monitor sensors without blocking user tasks.
Uses a multi-threaded polling model and loads sensor drivers, communicating with client apps via IPC. This design minimizes latency while preserving system responsiveness and enabling real-time sensor monitoring.
Quick Fact: Sensor Data Reader supports multiple sensor domains and can adapt to OEM sensor suites for cohesive health monitoring.
Types of Sensor Reader Processes
- Main Service Process: Orchestrates polling cycles and coordinates data flow to consumers
- Driver Loader: Loads and initializes sensor drivers at startup
- Data Collector: Aggregates readings from multiple sensor sources
- Telemetry Processor: Formats and routes data to local apps or cloud endpoints
- Background Sync: Handles periodic data transmission and health checks
- Diagnostic Helper: Captures diagnostics logs and performance metrics on demand
Is sensor-reader.exe Safe?
Yes, sensor-reader.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from TechSensors and located in C:\Program Files\SensorTech\SensorReader\sensor-reader.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\SensorTech\SensorReader\sensor-reader.exe.
Is sensor-reader.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real sensor-reader.exe is NOT a virus. Malware may mask as sensor-reader.exe. Check location and digital signature.
How to Tell if sensor-reader.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\SensorTech\SensorReader\sensor-reader.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\SensorTech\SensorReader\sensor-reader.exe. Others are suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show signer like "TechSensors Ltd" with a valid certificate.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 3-25% CPU across sensors and 120-480 MB total memory. Constantly high usage when idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: Sensor-reader.exe should run as a service or when sensor data is requested. If it runs constantly without apps using data, scan for malware.
Red Flags: If sensor-reader.exe is located in unusual folders (Temp, AppData, or System32), runs when sensors aren’t used, has no signature, or uses persistent high resources, run a full antivirus scan. Be wary of similarly named files.
Why Is sensor-reader.exe Running on My PC?
sensor-reader.exe runs to collect and stream sensor data for monitoring tools, OEM health apps, or dashboards. It may also operate as a background service to ensure sensor data is ready when needed.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Sensor Monitoring: The process polls hardware sensors (temperature, voltage, fan speeds) for continuous health dashboards.
- Background Data Streaming: Telemetry is sent to local apps or cloud services for analysis and alerting.
- Startup Service: Configured to start with Windows or user login to provide sensor data on demand.
- Diagnostics or Health Checks: OEM or diagnostic tools trigger data collection to validate sensor integrity.
- Third-Party App Integration: Other software depends on sensor-reader to fetch live sensor data for dashboards or analytics.
Can I Disable or Remove sensor-reader.exe?
Yes, you can disable sensor-reader.exe. It's safe to stop sensor data collection when not needed, and you can uninstall it if you no longer require sensor monitoring.
How to Stop sensor-reader.exe
- Stop Service via Services: Open Services (services.msc). Locate 'Sensor Reader Service', set Startup type to Manual, and click Stop.
- Disable Startup: Open Task Manager > Startup tab, find 'Sensor Reader Service' and Disable.
- Quit Application: If there is a UI, exit gracefully or stop any running instance from the tray icon.
- Terminate Process: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), locate sensor-reader.exe and End Task.
- Prevent Background Running: In Settings, disable any option like 'Continue running in background' for the sensor reader.
How to Uninstall Sensor Reader
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Sensor Reader → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Sensor Reader → Uninstall
- ✔ Restart your computer after uninstallation
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If sensor-reader.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Too Many Sensors Enabled: Disable unused sensors in the Sensor Reader settings to reduce polling workload.
- Resource-Heavy Data Streams: Limit the frequency of data transmission or sampling rate to reduce CPU usage.
- Background Telemetry: Disable automatic telemetry or adjust data granularity in policy settings.
- Outdated Drivers: Update sensor drivers and firmware to improve efficiency and compatibility.
- Malware or Tampering: Run a full system antivirus/malware scan and verify digital signatures.
- Idle State Misreporting: Restart the sensor service or reboot to resolve stale state reporting.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Task Manager to identify sensor-reader.exe instances with high CPU usage
2. Disable unnecessary sensors in Sensor Reader settings
3. Update to the latest Sensor Reader version
4. Reduce polling frequency or sampling rate
5. Run a system antivirus scan to rule out malware
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sensor-reader.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate sensor-reader.exe from TechSensors is not a virus. Verify the file path equals C:\Program Files\SensorTech\SensorReader\sensor-reader.exe and check for a valid digital signature from TechSensors Ltd.
Why is sensor-reader.exe using so much CPU?
High CPU can be caused by excessive polling, many active sensors, or misbehaving sensor drivers. Check the Sensor Reader UI, reduce sensor count, and review telemetry settings.
Can I delete or uninstall sensor-reader.exe?
Yes, you can uninstall Sensor Reader if you no longer need sensor monitoring. Use Windows Settings → Apps → Uninstall Sensor Reader, then restart.
Where is sensor-reader.exe located?
Typically in C:\Program Files\SensorTech\SensorReader\sensor-reader.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\SensorTech\SensorReader\sensor-reader.exe. If you find it elsewhere, verify the source.
Can I disable sensor-reader.exe without affecting hardware sensors?
Disabling stops data collection but does not remove hardware sensors. Applications depending on sensor data may show stale or zero readings until re-enabled.
Does sensor-reader.exe send data to the cloud?
Sensor Reader can forward telemetry to apps or cloud endpoints if configured. Review the Telemetry/Cloud settings to limit or disable data transmission.