wpa.exe

Windows Performance Toolkit Utility

Application ProcessSafeSystem Utility

CPU Usage

0-5%

Memory

20-100 MB

Location

C:\Windows\System32

Publisher

Microsoft Corporation

Quick Answer

wpa.exe is a legitimate Windows Performance Toolkit component. It runs when you profile system performance with WPA, collecting traces for offline analysis.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Should be located in C:\Windows\System32\wpa.exe

Warning

Unusual instances may appear if a profiling task is active

If you see multiple wpa.exe processes in odd folders, scan for malware

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Disable WPA after profiling tasks finish; you can uninstall WPA components if not needed

What is wpa.exe?

wpa.exe is the Windows Performance Analysis tool's executable used by the Windows Performance Toolkit to collect and analyze system traces. It starts when you run WPA to profile CPU, memory, disk I/O, and network activity, or when automated profiling scripts initiate collection for performance diagnostics.

WPA.exe coordinates trace collection by interfacing with ETW providers and performance counters across CPU, memory, I/O, and network subsystems for offline analysis in WPA.

Quick Fact: The Windows Performance Toolkit historically enabled deep performance diagnostics across Windows components.

Types of WPA Processes

WPA Controller: UI and orchestration component that controls data collection sessions
ETW Listener: Listens to ETW providers for events
Data Collector: Sequential data capture worker
Log Processor: Parses and organizes collected data
UI Renderer: Renders WPA interface
Scheduler: Schedules profiling tasks

Is wpa.exe Safe?

Yes, wpa.exe is safe when it's the legitimate Microsoft file from Windows Performance Toolkit or OS components.

Is wpa.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real wpa.exe is not a virus. However, malware can masquerade as wpa.exe; verify signature.

How to Tell if wpa.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Windows\System32\wpa.exe or C:\Program Files\Windows Performance Toolkit\. Any wpa.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the file in File Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "Microsoft Corporation".
Resource Usage: Normal WPA activity shows modest CPU usage during profiling and memory usage in the tens of MBs to a couple hundred MBs depending on trace volume.
Behavior: WPA.exe should run only when you start a WPA profiling session or invoke the toolkit. Unexpected background activity is suspicious.

Red Flags: If wpa.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData\Roaming, or System32 copies from unknown vendors), runs when WPA isn't used, has no valid signature, or uses abnormal resources constantly, run a full antivirus scan. Be wary of similarly-named files.

Why Is wpa.exe Running on My PC?

wpa.exe runs to enable Windows Performance Toolkit data collection and analysis. It may be active when you start WPA sessions, run profiling scripts, or when enterprise monitoring tools invoke performance analysis.

Reasons it's running:

Active Profiling Session: You're explicitly collecting performance traces with WPA; wpa.exe manages the collection session.
Background Diagnostics: Some enterprise tools may run WPA in the background to monitor performance during testing or CI workflows.
Scheduled Performance Tests: Automated tasks or scheduled scripts trigger WPA to collect data at predefined times.
Remote Diagnostics: Managed devices may run WPA remotely as part of device health and performance diagnostics.
Automation/CI Pipelines: Build or release pipelines may invoke WPA to capture traces for optimization studies.

Can I Disable or Remove wpa.exe?

Yes, you can disable wpa.exe. It's safe to stop WPA sessions when not in use, and you can uninstall the Windows Performance Toolkit components if you no longer need them.

How to Stop wpa.exe

End Active WPA Session: In the WPA UI, press Stop or Ctrl+C if running from a CLI session.
Close WPA UI: Close the WPA window to terminate the session.
Disable Background Collection: If configured via Task Scheduler, disable the WPA tasks.
Prevent Startup: Remove WPA-related startup triggers or scripts from Task Scheduler and startup folders.
Uninstall Toolkit: Control Panel > Programs > Windows Performance Toolkit (or Windows ADK) > Uninstall

How to Uninstall WPA

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Windows Performance Toolkit (or Windows ADK) → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Windows Performance Toolkit → Uninstall
✔ Restart your computer after the uninstallation

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If wpa.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Active profiling session capturing heavy traces: Stop the session or reduce trace depth to limit data collection.
Large trace files: Limit duration or detail level; move traces to a larger drive.
Multiple ETW providers enabled: Disable unused providers in the WPA configuration or settings.
Background tasks or scripts running WPA automatically: Review Task Scheduler and environment variables; disable unnecessary auto-collection.
Outdated WPA/ADK components: Update Windows Performance Toolkit to the latest version from the Windows ADK.
Insufficient disk space: Free up space or redirect traces to a larger volume.

Quick Fixes:
1. Open WPA Task Manager or UI and stop any active profiling sessions
2. Reduce trace detail or duration in WPA configuration
3. Check available disk space and free as needed
4. Disable unnecessary ETW providers in WPA settings
5. Update Windows Performance Toolkit to the latest version

Frequently Asked Questions

Is wpa.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate wpa.exe is part of the Windows Performance Toolkit. Verify it resides in C:\Windows\System32\wpa.exe and has a valid signature from Microsoft.

What is Windows Performance Analyzer (WPA)?

WPA is a part of the Windows Performance Toolkit used to collect and analyze system performance traces for CPU, memory, I/O, and network activity.

Where is wpa.exe located on a typical Windows install?

Common location is C:\Windows\System32\wpa.exe; sometimes related components reside under the Windows Performance Toolkit path in Program Files.

Can I disable wpa.exe permanently?

Yes, you can disable WPA sessions and uninstall the Windows Performance Toolkit if you do not use performance profiling.

Do I need admin rights to run WPA?

Yes, running WPA profiling tasks typically requires administrator privileges to access ETW providers and collect traces.

How do I start a WPA trace for performance analysis?

Install the Windows Performance Toolkit, open WPA, create a new profiling session, select the desired providers and counters, and start the trace.