Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Located under Windows Kits folders; checked digital signature
Warning
Trace tool, not background malware
Only active during trace sessions; not a routine background process
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Do not run traces unintentionally; close terminals when not in use
What is xperf.exe?
xperf.exe is the command-line performance tracing tool from the Windows Performance Toolkit. It records ETW data for kernel and user-mode events, enabling in-depth profiling of CPU, I/O, and thread activity during trace sessions.
xperf uses ETW providers to capture events into .etl traces. It supports kernel and user-mode tracing, filter options, and stack sampling. Traces are analyzed later with Windows Performance Analyzer for timing, CPU, and I/O insights.
Quick Fact: xperf was a staple of Windows performance analysis long before modern profiling tools, enabling reproducible trace capture across reboots.
Types of xperf Processes
- Command Runner: Executes xperf commands to start and stop traces (one main process)
- CPU/ETW Listener: Gathers kernel/user-mode events into ETW buffers during tracing
- Event Writer: Writes ETW data to .etl trace files for analysis
- Filter Helper: Applies command-line filters to limit collected providers
- Output Manager: Manages log file rotation and trace metadata
- Debugger/Helper: Assists with diagnosing tracing setup failures
Is xperf.exe Safe?
Yes, xperf.exe is safe when it comes from the official Windows Kits installation (Microsoft Windows Performance Toolkit) and not altered.
Is xperf.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real xperf.exe is NOT a virus. Malware can disguise as tooling; verify the path and digital signature.
How to Tell if xperf.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be under a Windows Kits folder, e.g., C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Tools\xperf\xperf.exe or C:\Program Files\Windows Kits\10\Tools\xperf\xperf.exe. Any xperf.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click xperf.exe → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show 'Microsoft Corporation' or 'Windows' as signer.
- Resource Usage: Idle xperf.exe uses minimal CPU; during traces the CPU and I/O increase. Persistent high usage when not tracing is suspicious.
- Behavior: xperf should only run when a tracing session is started via xperf commands; unrelated background activity indicates compromise.
Red Flags: If xperf.exe is found outside Windows Kits folders, lacks a valid signature, or runs continuously without user-initiated traces, scan for malware and verify system integrity.
Why Is xperf.exe Running on My PC?
xperf.exe runs when you start or manage a Windows Performance Toolkit tracing session, or when a profiling script initiates a trace.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Trace Session: You started a trace to capture ETW events for CPU, disk, and I/O analysis.
- Automated Profiling: Profilers or diagnostic tools trigger xperf to monitor startup or runtime behavior.
- Background Tracing: Some system components or performance monitoring utilities may schedule traces in the background.
- Scheduled Analysis: Traces are collected for post-processing with Windows Performance Analyzer during a diagnostic run.
- Developer Build Tools: Build or test environments enable xperf to profile builds and runtime performance.
Can I Disable or Remove xperf.exe?
Yes, you can disable or limit tracing. If you do not use Windows Performance Toolkit, you can uninstall the kits or disable trace collection via environment configuration.
How to Stop xperf.exe
- Cancel Tracing: If a trace is running, stop it with the appropriate xperf stop command or close the command prompt instance.
- End Session: Terminate the tracing process and ensure no xperf commands are active.
- Disable Startup: If integrated via startup tasks, remove or disable the task launching xperf.
- Remove Toolkit: Uninstall the Windows Performance Toolkit via Apps & Features or the Windows Kit setup.
- Group Policy: Set policies to prevent automatic tracing in enterprise environments.
How to Uninstall Windows Performance Toolkit (xperf)
- ✔ Settings > Apps > Apps & Features > Windows Performance Toolkit > Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program > Windows Performance Toolkit > Uninstall
- ✔ Reboot the machine after removal and verify no xperf.exe remains in Windows Kits folders
Common Problems: Tracing Collects Too Much Data or Fails
If xperf.exe tracing produces issues or excessive data, use targeted providers and proper filters.
Common Causes & Solutions
- Overly broad provider selection: Limit providers to necessary subsystems with -provider flags; re-run the trace with tighter filters.
- Missing admin privileges: Run elevated command prompt or PowerShell to start traces.
- Insufficient disk space: Ensure target drive has enough space for ETL files; enable log rotation or cap file size.
- Large trace size: Adjust buffer sizes and duration; use -onetime to produce a compact trace.
- Corrupted trace file: Delete incomplete ETL and restart tracing with a shorter, verified run.
- Incompatible Windows version: Update Windows Performance Toolkit to match OS; verify compatibility with OS build.
Quick Fixes:
1. Run xperf with explicit providers to limit data
2. Set a small trace duration and verify output
3. Check available disk space before tracing
4. Always run as Administrator when required
5. Review trace with WPA after collection
Frequently Asked Questions
Is xperf.exe a virus?
No, xperf.exe is a legitimate Microsoft tool from the Windows Performance Toolkit. Verify path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Tools\xperf\xperf.exe and signature from Microsoft.
What is xperf used for?
xperf is used to start and stop ETW-based traces for kernel and user-mode events, enabling performance analysis with Windows Performance Analyzer.
How do I run xperf to profile CPU usage?
Open an elevated command prompt and run xperf -on PROC_THREAD+LOADER -stack Walk -onexit xperf -d mytrace.etl, then xperf -d to stop and WPA to analyze.
Where are xperf traces saved by default?
Traces are saved to the current working directory unless you specify -f or -d options; commonly C:\Users\<user>\Documents or the path you set.
Can I uninstall xperf or Windows Performance Toolkit?
Yes, you can uninstall the Windows Performance Toolkit via Apps & Features or the Windows Kit setup; traces and data will be removed with the toolkit.
Do I need admin rights to use xperf?
Many xperf commands require Administrator privileges, especially for system-wide providers and writing to protected locations.