SkypeCrashReporter.exe

Skype Desktop Application

Application ProcessSafeCommunication

CPU Usage

0-3%

Memory

10-60 MB

Location

C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone

Publisher

Microsoft Corporation

Quick Answer

SkypeCrashReporter.exe is safe. It's Skype's official crash reporter that collects diagnostic data to help fix issues; it runs briefly when Skype crashes or reports are being prepared.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone or C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone

Warning

Many processes normal

Each crash report may spawn a short-lived process; legitimate behavior is tied to Skype crashes

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Disabling may stop crash reporting; you can re-enable if needed

What is SkypeCrashReporter.exe?

SkypeCrashReporter.exe is the small diagnostic helper that ships with the Skype desktop app. It runs in the background to capture crash data, logs, and environment details when Skype encounters an error. The reporter then sends anonymized reports to help developers diagnose and fix issues quickly.

SkypeCrashReporter operates as a lightweight, isolated process that triggers on crashes or error events. It gathers minimal crash dumps, crash timestamps, app version, and environment details, then transmits securely to telemetry endpoints to speed up bug fixes.

Quick Fact: Skype pioneered crash reporting in its desktop client to minimize user disruption during diagnostics.

Types of Skype Processes

Browser Process: Main Skype window and user interface (1 instance)
Renderer Process: Handles UI rendering and content per view
Crash Reporter Process: SkypeCrashReporter.exe handles crash data collection
Updater Process: SkypeUpdate.exe for version maintenance
Background Service: Background tasks associated with Skype telemetry
Utility Process: Miscellaneous tasks and data handling

Is skypecrashreporter.exe Safe?

Yes, skypecrashreporter.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Skype downloaded from official sources (skype.com or pre-installed by manufacturer).

Is skypecrashreporter.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real skypecrashreporter.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware can impersonate this filename to trick users.

How to Tell if skypecrashreporter.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location:: Must be in C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone\SkypeCrashReporter.exe or C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\SkypeCrashReporter.exe. Any other location is suspicious.
Digital Signature:: Right-click the file → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show signer as "Microsoft Corporation" or "Skype Technologies S.A."
Resource Usage:: Normal usage is 0-3% CPU and 10-60 MB memory; persistent, high usage when Skype is idle is suspicious.
Behavior:: Should run briefly during crashes or diagnostic events; constant background activity when Skype is closed is unusual.

Red Flags: If skypecrashreporter.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp or AppData), runs when Skype isn't open, lacks a valid digital signature, or communicates to unknown endpoints, scan with antivirus software and investigate.

Why Is skypecrashreporter.exe Running on My PC?

SkypeCrashReporter runs to collect crash data when Skype crashes or to perform routine telemetry tasks as part of the Skype client. It stays active only as needed and should not run continuously without Skype.

Reasons it's running:

Active Skype Session: You are using Skype and a crash or error event triggers the reporter to collect data for submission.
Background Diagnostics Enabled: Skype enables background crash reporting to queue dumps and logs for faster developer analysis.
Startup Launch: Skype may start with Windows and the reporter is launched to prepare diagnostics if needed.
Pending Crash Upload: A crash occurred recently and the reporter is attempting to upload the diagnostic data.
Manual Diagnostics Requested: Support or troubleshooting workflows may instruct you to run the crash reporter to collect data.

Can I Disable or Remove skypecrashreporter.exe?

Yes, you can disable skypecrashreporter.exe. It's safe to disable crash reporting if you don’t want diagnostics to be sent; you can adjust Skype and Windows startup settings accordingly.

How to Stop skypecrashreporter.exe

Close Skype: Exit Skype completely to stop the reporter from running.
Disable Startup: Windows: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Skype or SkypeCrashReporter entry.
Adjust In-Skype Settings: In Skype settings, disable any options related to crash reporting or background telemetry if available.
End Process: Open Task Manager, locate SkypeCrashReporter.exe, right-click End Task.
Uninstall Skype (optional): If you no longer need Skype, uninstall from Settings → Apps & Features → Skype.

How to Uninstall Skype

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Skype → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Skype → Uninstall
✔ Consider alternative browsers or communication apps if desired

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If skypecrashreporter.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Frequent crashes or verbose diagnostics: Ensure Skype is up to date. If crashes persist, consider disabling crash reporting temporarily to isolate the issue.
Background telemetry enabled: In Skype settings, disable background crash reporting or telemetry if available.
Outdated Skype version: Update Skype to the latest version from skype.com or the store.
Conflicting security software: Temporarily disable antivirus/firewall rules that might block legitimate telemetry, then re-enable with exceptions for Skype.
Corrupted crash reports: Clear Skype crash report caches or logs located in AppData directories and restart Skype.
Multiple instances: Restart the computer or exit Skype completely to clear orphaned processes; relaunch Skype when needed.

Quick Fixes:
1. Quick Fixes:
2. 1. Close Skype or use Task Manager to end SkypeCrashReporter.exe if it remains active
3. Update Skype to the latest version
4. Disable crash reporting in Skype settings if available
5. Clear temporary Skype data: delete contents of %APPDATA%\Skype and %LOCALAPPDATA%\Skype
6. Restart the PC to ensure all processes are reset

Frequently Asked Questions

Is skypecrashreporter.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate skypecrashreporter.exe from Skype is not a virus. Verify the file location and digital signature in Properties to confirm authenticity (C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone or C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone, signed by Microsoft Corporation or Skype Technologies S.A.).

Why is skypecrashreporter.exe using so much CPU?

High CPU from the crash reporter usually points to debugging activity after a crash or a loop in the reporting process. Check recent Skype crashes in Event Viewer, update Skype, and consider temporarily disabling crash reporting to verify.

Can I delete skypecrashreporter.exe?

You should not delete the executable directly. It is part of Skype. You can uninstall Skype or disable crash reporting in settings or startup if you do not want it running.

Where is skypecrashreporter.exe located?

Common locations are <code>C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone\SkypeCrashReporter.exe</code> or <code>C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\SkypeCrashReporter.exe</code>. If you find it elsewhere, be cautious and scan with antivirus.

Does disabling crash reporting affect Skype performance?

Disabling crash reporting won’t affect the core Skype functionality, but it will reduce diagnostic data collected for bug fixes. If you rely on automatic troubleshooting, re-enable it later.

How can I verify SkypeCrashReporter.exe is legitimate?

Check the Digital Signature in file Properties; ensure the signer is Microsoft Corporation or Skype Technologies S.A., and confirm the file path matches the official Skype installation directories.