Is it a Virus?
<strong>NO - Safe</strong>
Typically located in C:\Windows\System32\wpr.exe or within the Windows Kits folder; verify digital signature from Microsoft Corporation.
Warning
Active traces normal during profiling
WPR may run in the background during a profiling session or when a UI is open; excessive background activity outside of a trace can indicate a problem.
Can I Disable?
<strong>YES</strong>
You can stop tracing when not needed. Use WPR UI or command line to terminate an active session.
What is wpr.exe?
wpr.exe is the Windows Performance Recorder executable used to capture detailed performance traces for the entire system or specific applications. It is part of the Windows Performance Toolkit and is typically invoked to generate ETL trace files for analysis by Windows Performance Analyzer.
WPR coordinates providers and samples during a trace session, writing ETL files for tools like WPA. It supports multiple modes and providers to profile CPU, memory, disk I/O, and GPU activity.
Quick Fact: WPR was designed to work with the Windows Performance Toolkit to enable granular tracing for performance tuning and debugging.
Types of WPR Processes
- Controller Process: Orchestrates trace sessions and user commands
- Provider Thread: Active providers emitting events during tracing
- Data Writer: Writes ETL logs to disk during capture
- UI Process: wprui.exe, when used for interactive configuration
- Background Service: Handles buffering and coordination when sessions run in the background
Is wpr.exe Safe?
Yes, wpr.exe is safe when it is the legitimate Windows Performance Recorder binary from Microsoft.
Is wpr.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real wpr.exe is not a virus. Malware can masquerade as wpr.exe, so verify location and signature.
How to Tell if wpr.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Windows\System32\wpr.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Tools\x64\wpr.exe. Any wpr.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer > Properties > Digital Signatures. Should show "Microsoft Corporation" as the signer.
- Resource Usage: Normal profiling sessions may show CPU/memory spikes when tracing. Idle wpr.exe should use minimal resources.
- Behavior: WPR runs during a trace. If it starts without a trace configuration or UI, this is suspicious.
Red Flags: If wpr.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp or AppData) or runs constantly without a trace, scan with antivirus. Be wary of similarly named files like "wprx.exe" or "wpr32.exe" from untrusted sources.
Why Is wpr.exe Running on My PC?
wpr.exe runs when you start a performance trace session or when the WPR UI is used to configure profiling. It can also run in the background during automated profiling tasks.
Reasons it's running:
- Active profiling session: You started a trace; wpr.exe coordinates providers and collects data for the ETL file.
- Background tracing enabled by UI: WPR UI or scripts may keep wpr.exe running to maintain the session state.
- Scheduled or automated profiling: Profiles can be triggered by Task Scheduler or CI pipelines for performance testing.
- Providers and data buffering: Certain providers buffer data and flush to ETL files, keeping wpr.exe active during the capture.
- Post-processing readiness: WPR may stay alive briefly after a trace to finalize ETL and ensure integrity for WPA.
Can I Disable or Remove wpr.exe?
Yes, you can disable wpr.exe. It is safe to stop tracing when not required, and you can remove or uninstall the Windows Performance Toolkit if you no longer need it.
How to Stop wpr.exe
- End active trace: Open WPR UI (wprui.exe) and click Stop, or use the command line: wpr -stop
- Close UI: Close the WPR UI to prevent accidental restarts
- End all related processes: Open Task Manager and end wpr.exe and wprui.exe if necessary
- Prevent automatic startup: Check Task Scheduler or startup items and disable any WPR-related tasks
- Disable background profiling: In WPT configurations or scripts, disable automatic background profiling
How to Uninstall WPR / Windows Performance Toolkit
- ✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & features -> Windows Performance Toolkit (if listed) -> Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel -> Programs -> Programs and Features -> Windows Performance Toolkit -> Uninstall
- ✔ If installed as part of the Windows 10/11 ADK, run the ADK installer again and choose to remove the Windows Performance Toolkit components
- ✔ Restart your PC after uninstallation
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage During Tracing
If wpr.exe is consuming excessive resources during a trace or while idle:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Too many providers or too long a trace: Limit the number of providers and duration; specify only needed channels (e.g., CPU, Disk I/O) and shorter sessions
- Resource-heavy extensions or scripts triggering tracing: Disable unnecessary providers and stop traces when not profiling
- Outdated WPT components: Update to the latest Windows Performance Toolkit version from the Windows Kits
- Incorrect provider configuration: Review trace configuration; use a minimal provider set to validate baseline
- High I/O during trace: Write to a fast drive or specify a dedicated trace path with adequate permissions
- Background tracing left on after tests: Ensure traces are stopped and UI is closed when profiling completes
Quick Fixes:
1. Open WPR UI and press Stop if a trace is active
2. Use wpr -stop on the command line to terminate a session
3. Limit providers to essential ones only (CPU, Memory, I/O)
4. Update Windows Performance Toolkit to the latest version
5. Run a trace on a fast drive and verify ETL path permissions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is wpr.exe?
wpr.exe is the Windows Performance Recorder binary used to capture performance traces for the Windows Performance Toolkit. It enables profiling sessions that generate ETL files for WPA analysis.
Is wpr.exe safe?
Yes, when located in legitimate paths (e.g., C:\Windows\System32\wpr.exe or within the Windows Kits folder) and with a valid Microsoft Digital Signature. Be wary of masquerading files in non-standard folders.
How do I stop a wpr trace?
If you started tracing with the UI, click Stop in wprui.exe. If using the command line, run: wpr -stop.
Where are the trace files saved?
ETL trace files are saved to the path configured by the trace session, typically a user-specified folder or the default working directory configured in the UI or command options.
Do I need admin rights to use WPR?
Administrative privileges are often required to start and stop traces, especially when writing ETL files to protected locations or when using certain providers.
Can I run WPR without the UI?
Yes. WPR supports CLI usage (wpr.exe) to start, stop, and configure traces without the WPR UI (wprui.exe).