unetbootin.exe

UNetbootin Bootable USB Creator

Application ProcessSafeUSB/ISO Tool

CPU Usage

1-10%

Memory

50-200 MB

Location

C:\Program Files\UNetbootin

Publisher

UNetbootin Project

Quick Answer

unetbootin.exe is safe. It is UNetbootin's Windows executable used to create bootable USB drives from ISO images.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in C:\Program Files\UNetbootin\unetbootin.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\UNetbootin\unetbootin.exe

Warning

Many processes normal

UNetbootin may spawn a GUI process and helper tasks during USB write operations

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Close the GUI to stop, and disable startup if configured

What is unetbootin.exe?

unetbootin.exe is the Windows executable for UNetbootin, a cross platform tool to create bootable USB drives from ISO images. You run it to select an ISO, choose a target USB device, and install a live environment or installer onto the USB media. It supports many Linux distributions and other OS ISOs.

UNetbootin uses a GUI to read an ISO, copies contents to the USB device, and installs a bootloader like syslinux or isolinux. It communicates with Windows to access USB drives and writes sectors during the creation process, often requiring admin privileges.

Quick Fact: UNetbootin can create bootable USB media without burning a CD and supports a wide range of ISO based OS installers.

Types of UNetbootin Processes

Main GUI Process: User interface and controls (1 instance)
ISO Read/Verify Process: Reads and verifies selected ISO image
USB Write Process: Writes ISO content to the USB device
Bootloader Install Process: Installs bootloader (syslinux/isolinux) on USB
Post-Write Validation: Optional verification of bootable media
Background Helper: Background tasks for USB enumeration and progress reporting

Is unetbootin.exe Safe?

Yes, unetbootin.exe is safe when downloaded from the official UNetbootin site or trusted mirrors and verified to match the published checksum.

Is unetbootin.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real unetbootin.exe is not a virus. Malware can masquerade with similar names; ensure the digital signature or checksum matches, and that the file is located in the UNetbootin folder.

How to Tell if unetbootin.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\UNetbootin\unetbootin.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\UNetbootin\unetbootin.exe. Any unetbootin.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right click the file in Explorer or Task Manager → Open file location → Right-click unetbootin.exe → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show UNetbootin Project or trusted publisher.
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-10% CPU during ISO processing, 20-60 MB memory while idle; extremely high usage when idle is suspicious.
Behavior: UNetbootin should run only when you launch it to create a USB. Background activity outside user action is unusual.

Red Flags: If unetbootin.exe is found outside its install folder, runs at Windows startup, lacks a digital signature, or constantly spikes CPU, scan with antivirus software and verify source integrity

Why Is unetbootin.exe Running on My PC?

UNetbootin runs when you start the app to build a bootable USB or when a write operation is in progress. It may also perform background checks during ISO loading.

Reasons it's running:

Active USB Creation: You launched UNetbootin to create a bootable USB drive, so the program is actively writing or verifying data
ISO Read/Verification: UNetbootin validates the ISO header and contents before copying to ensure boot compatibility
Bootloader Installation: The tool installs a bootloader to the target USB, which requires running internal helper processes
USB Device Access: UNetbootin enumerates connected USB devices and selects the correct target drive for writing
UI and Progress Reporting: The GUI keeps the user informed with progress bars and status messages during the operation

Can I Disable or Remove unetbootin.exe?

Yes, you can disable unetbootin.exe. If you are not using UNetbootin, closing the GUI stops it. You can uninstall it or delete the portable folder to disable any further action.

How to Stop unetbootin.exe

End UNetbootin Process: Close the UNetbootin GUI or use Task Manager to End Task for unetbootin.exe
Close in Background: Ensure there are no background tasks for ISO verification or USB writing
Prevent Startup: Task Manager > Startup tab > Disable UNetbootin if listed
Uninstall: Windows Settings > Apps > UNetbootin > Uninstall
Remove Portable Copy: If you used a portable ZIP or folder, delete the folder to stop all components

How to Uninstall UNetbootin

✔ Windows Settings > Apps > Apps & Features > UNetbootin > Uninstall
✔ If portable, delete the UNetbootin folder from your drive
✔ Restart your computer after removal to finalize cleanup

Common Problems: USB Creation Fails or Slows

If unetbootin.exe experiences errors or slow performance when creating bootable USB drives, use these checks and fixes to resolve issues.

Common Causes & Solutions

No USB drive selected or drive not recognized: Connect a USB drive, refresh device list in UNetbootin, and select the correct drive
Corrupted ISO image: Verify ISO checksum and download a fresh ISO from the official source
Insufficient privileges: Run UNetbootin as administrator
USB write protection: Disable hardware write protection or use a different USB drive
Antivirus interference: Temporarily disable antivirus real-time protection during write operations
Unsupported ISO format or old ISO: Use a compatible ISO for USB creation or update UNetbootin to latest release

Quick Fixes:
1. Select a valid USB drive and reattempt the write operation
2. Verify ISO integrity and re-download if needed
3. Run UNetbootin as administrator
4. Disable conflicting extensions or background tools that may block disk writes
5. Update UNetbootin to the latest version

Frequently Asked Questions

Is unetbootin.exe safe to download?

Yes, if downloaded from the official UNetbootin site or trusted mirrors and you verify the checksum. Avoid uncertified sources.

Why is unetbootin.exe using CPU when idle?

Idle usage should be minimal. If CPU remains high, ensure no background ISO verification or stale USB operations are running and scan for malware.

Can I delete unetbootin.exe after creating a USB drive?

Yes, after the USB is created you can close or uninstall UNetbootin. The USB created will remain bootable, but you may want to remove the tool if unused.

Do I need admin rights to use UNetbootin?

Admin rights are often required to access raw USB devices and write bootloaders. If you lack rights, run as administrator or use a different system with privileges.

Where should I download UNetbootin from to stay safe?

Download from the official UNetbootin site or reputable mirrors and compare checksums to published values to confirm authenticity.

What should I do if UNetbootin stops mid write?

Cancel the operation, verify the ISO, ensure the USB drive is healthy, reinsert the drive, and retry the write with appropriate permissions.