speedfan.exe

SpeedFan Hardware Monitor

Application ProcessSafeSystem Utility

CPU Usage

0-3%

Memory

5-40 MB

Location

C:\Program Files\SpeedFan

Publisher

Alfredo Milani Comparetti

Quick Answer

speedfan.exe is safe. It is the user interface for SpeedFan, a hardware monitoring tool that reads sensor data and controls fans where supported.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be located in C:\Program Files\SpeedFan or C:\Program Files (x86)\SpeedFan

Warning

Multiple sensor reads

SpeedFan may show multiple sensor lines for temps, voltages, and fan speeds

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Close SpeedFan UI or disable startup if not using it

What is speedfan.exe?

speedfan.exe is the user interface executable for SpeedFan, a Windows utility that reads motherboard and component sensors to display temperatures, fan speeds, and voltages. It collaborates with a driver to access hardware data and presents adjustable controls when supported by the hardware.

SpeedFan uses a dedicated driver to access low-level sensor data (temperature, voltage, fan tach and PWM). It aggregates readings from multiple sensors, updates in real time, and allows PWM control where hardware supports it.

Quick Fact: SpeedFan originated as a lightweight monitor and gained fan control capabilities by interfacing with motherboard sensor chips via a driver.

Types of SpeedFan Processes

UI Process: speedfan.exe: user interface and configuration
Driver Interface: speedfan.sys: kernel driver access (sensor data)
Service/Tray: Input/output and background monitoring if configured
Logging Process: Optional: logs sensor readings to a file

Is speedfan.exe Safe?

Yes, speedfan.exe is safe when obtained from the official SpeedFan site (almico.com) or a trusted software distribution and run with proper privileges.

Is speedfan.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real speedfan.exe is not a virus. Malware masquerading as SpeedFan is uncommon but verify the file path and signature.

How to Tell if speedfan.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\SpeedFan\speedfan.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\SpeedFan\speedfan.exe. Other locations are suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click speedfan.exe -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show "Alfredo Milani Comparetti".
Resource Usage: Normal usage is minimal when idle. High CPU after system boot without a proper driver is suspicious.
Behavior: SpeedFan should open the UI and show sensor data when run by the user. No persistent background activity without user action is suspicious.

Red Flags: If speedfan.exe is located outside the SpeedFan folder (like Temp or AppData), lacks a digital signature, or runs without user interaction, scan for malware with reputable security software.

Why Is speedfan.exe Running on My PC?

SpeedFan runs to monitor and control hardware sensors. It can start on boot or when a trigger requests sensor data, depending on user settings and driver availability.

Reasons it's running:

Active Sensor Monitoring: The UI actively reads temperatures, voltages, and fan speeds from the motherboard sensors.
Background Tray Operation: If configured, SpeedFan runs in the system tray to update readings in real time.
Driver Access: A kernel driver (speedfan.sys) is loaded to access sensors, which keeps the process alive while monitoring.
Startup Configuration: SpeedFan may be configured to launch at Windows startup to provide immediate readings.
Logging and Alerts: If enabled, speedfan.exe keeps logs or triggers alerts based on sensor thresholds.

Can I Disable or Remove speedfan.exe?

Yes, you can disable speedfan.exe. Disable startup, close the UI, or uninstall SpeedFan if you no longer need it.

How to Stop speedfan.exe

Close UI: Exit SpeedFan from the tray or close the window.
Disable Startup: In Windows, use Task Manager > Startup to disable SpeedFan at login.
Stop Driver: Restart or stop the speedfan.sys driver if possible via SpeedFan settings.
Uninstall: Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall SpeedFan.

How to Uninstall SpeedFan

✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> SpeedFan -> Uninstall
✔ Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a program -> SpeedFan -> Uninstall
✔ Remove any remaining configuration files from AppData if present

Common Problems: Sensor Readings and Fan Control

If speedfan.exe reports missing sensors or incorrect fan speeds, use these checks and fixes.

Common Causes & Solutions

Driver not installed or blocked: Install or re-install speedfan.sys and ensure it is allowed by Windows security.
Unsupported hardware: Some motherboards do not expose PWM control. Use the read-only mode instead of trying to set speeds.
Incorrect sensor naming: Rescan sensors in SpeedFan and reconfigure the UI to map the correct sensors.
Conflicting software: Disable other monitoring tools that may conflict with SpeedFan's driver.
Outdated SpeedFan version: Update SpeedFan to the latest version from the official site to fix sensor compatibility.
Permissions issue: Run SpeedFan as Administrator to access protected hardware interfaces.

Quick Fixes:
1. Run SpeedFan as Administrator
2. Update to the latest SpeedFan version
3. Use 'Auto-scale' or manual fan control as needed
4. Rescan sensors and map them correctly
5. Check speedfan.sys driver status in Device Manager

Frequently Asked Questions

Is speedfan.exe a virus?

No, speedfan.exe from the official site is not a virus. Verify path: C:\Program Files\SpeedFan\speedfan.exe and check the digital signature.

Why is speedfan.exe using CPU?

CPU usage is usually low, but can spike if the UI is scanning sensors or if a conflicting driver is present. Ensure you run as administrator and use latest version.

Can I disable speedfan.exe?

Yes, disable startup or exit from the tray. If you don't need fan control, you can uninstall SpeedFan.

Does SpeedFan work with modern motherboards?

SpeedFan supports many chipsets; however, some newer boards may not expose PWM controls. Use read-only sensor readings where available.

How do I enable fan control in SpeedFan?

Open SpeedFan, click Configure, map each fan to a control channel, then enable PWM control where your hardware supports it.

What if sensors show zero or nonsense values?

Rescan sensors, check wiring and drivers, and ensure you installed the latest version. If values persist, hardware monitoring may be blocked by BIOS.