3+ Fixes For Perfmon.exe Errors | Performance Monitor Problems

In this post, we provide 3+ fixes to deal with a variety of perfmon.exe issues.

The Microsoft Windows operating system has a genuine software component called perfmon.exe (PerfMon stands for Performance Monitor).

This component is responsible for running the Windows Performance Monitor. It is a real-time utility monitor that gauges the system. This program is designed to let users view how each program installed affects the overall PC performance.       

Under regular circumstances, perfmon.exe is actually part of the operating system and does not cause any threats to your computer. In some cases, you’ll find that a perfmon.exe file is a root cause of your PC damage.

Take note that the file ends with an .exe extension. This extension indicates that the file is an executable file. Albeit harmless, executable files might possibly harm your computer system.

You will need to know where your perfmon.exe file originates. It might be from your Windows Operating system or a Trojan virus. Read this guide to find out if your perfmon.exe belongs to a trusted application or a malicious Trojan.

Social Reaction

#sqlhelp What does perfmon counter – Query optimizations/sec (Workload Group Stats Object) track? I see a spike in this counter with no correlated spike in compiles/recompiles. Description provided by MSFT is not very helpful

— AndrewKal (@AndrewKal4) March 6, 2019

I love PerfMon so much.

— Jes Schultz (@grrl_geek) December 4, 2018

perfmon.exe accessing random websites
by intechsupport

What Is Perfmon.exe?

 Perfmon.exe is developed for Microsoft Windows by Biz Secure Labs from India. It is a kind of .exe file that is analogous with Net Protector Total Internet Security (Source).

Since its establishment, perfmon.exe is important in order to run the Windows Performance Monitor. This file uses up a big portion of CPU resources. Since it monitors different performance elements on your computer system, it requires the utilization of significant resources. However, a perfmon.exe file should not show a consistent 90% utilization if it is in a proper functioning mode.

As mentioned earlier, .exe files are possible causes of damage in your computer system. EXE files usually function as a method of delivery because of their omnipresence and practicality. However, .exe files are commonly used as a channel for malware or virus infection. These malware or viruses conceal themselves by disguising a regular .exe file.

Usually, these viruses may take up the form of a perfmon.exe because of its wide usage. These disguised viruses are distributed through spam emails. Even malicious websites that pop out from links can distribute this malware. If you clicked on their suggested .exe file downloads twice, you’ve already allowed them to be sent to your computer system. 

In order to prevent these viruses from entering the “bloodstream” of your PC operating system, you need to have a firewall installed. Also, scanning newly downloaded programs from unsafe sources is a must.

Where do these perfmon.exe errors occur? These errors often happen whenever you start up your computer, do a program startup, or use a certain function in a program.

How To Fix Perfmon.exe

Video Guide: Performance Monitor Tutorial for Windows

You will know that something is amiss with a perfmon.exe file if an error message pops out while you still don’t have anti-virus software installed. Also, determine if you have recently installed new software or program. Lastly, if you have a pirated version of the Windows operating system installed on your computer, expect to have perfmon.exe error messages constantly appearing.

If the problem persists after reinstalling the software, rebooting your computer or even downloading the latest Windows update, a malware might be involved. Below is a list of fixes whenever a perfmon.exe error message occurs:

1st Fix

In order for you to determine the source of the problem, you will need to run the first Windows System File Checker (“SFC /scannow”). It is a tool provided by Windows that allows you to scan for corrupted files.

It can even detect perfmon.exe-related file errors. If this File Checker was able to source the problem on a .exe file, it will automatically replace the said files.

In order to run the System File Checker, follow through the steps below. Note that this fix is only for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10.

1. Begin by clicking on the Windows Start Button located at the bottom left corner of your desktop computer’s screen.
2. In the search box, type the word “Command”.
3. Remember, don’t click the Enter button yet. Hold the keys CTRL and Shift together and then press “Enter”.
4. Once a permission dialog box appears, click on ‘Yes’.
5. A block box will open, including a cursor.
6. Type “SFC /scannow” and press the Enter key.
7. The file checker will now be scanning; it will take a while. Wait for a couple of minutes.
8. Follow the on-screen directions that will appear afterward.

Video Guide: How to Run System File Check Sfc Scannow

2nd Fix

According to Exefiles, you will need to restore your PC back to its previous condition before the error occurred. This only applies to Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10.

1. Click the Windows Start Button and search for “System Restore” in the results.
2. After the results have been laid out, click System Restore.
3. If an administrator password is required, enter it if applicable.
4. Follow through the steps using the System Restore Wizard and choose a starting to restore point.
5. Confirm and restore your computer.
6. If the problem persists, read through the next fix.

Video Guide: How To Perform A System Restore

3rd Fix

This fix is only applicable if your perfmon.exe error is related to a specific program or software.

This is also a fix recommended by Solvusoft. You might need to reinstall your Net Protector Total Internet Security software. Also, the first guidelines are only for Windows 7, 8, and Vista.

1. Click the Start Button and search for programs and features.
2. For Windows 8, right-click in order for the Start Context Menu to pop out.
3. Locate the Control Panel and click on it.
4. Then, click on Programs.
5. Afterward, click on Programs and Features.
6. Search for the Perfmon.exe program under the Name column.
7. Click the Net Protector Total Internet Security-associated entry.
8. Locate the uninstall option on the top menu and click on it.
9. You need to follow the on-screen guidelines in order to complete the uninstallation.

Other Resources

#	Content Title	Content URL	Date	Number of Words
1	Announcing Windows Server 2019 Insider Preview Build 17692 | Windows Experience Blog	https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2018/06/19/announcing-windows-server-2019-insider-preview-build-17692/	6/19/2018 17:11	1333
2	Pass parameters to program started with Runas	https://superuser.com/questions/1306418/pass-parameters-to-program-started-with-runas	3/21/2018 9:42	86
3	RDS - RemoteFX vGPU setup and configuration	https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/rds-remotefx-vgpu	3/23/2017 0:00	870
4	ProcessHider: Post-exploitation tool for hiding processes from monitoring applications • Penetration Testing	https://securityonline.info/processhider/	5/22/2018 10:10	308
5	App-V 5.0 – ETW Tracing Automation [Update]	https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/virtualshell/2016/05/16/app-v-5-0-etw-tracing-automation-update/	5/16/2016 20:09	619
6	60+ Windows Monitoring Tools - Server Density Blog	https://blog.serverdensity.com/windows-monitoring-tools/	2/29/2016 14:12	1959
7	A detailed Windows Resource Monitor guide - gHacks Tech News	https://www.ghacks.net/2017/12/28/a-detailed-windows-resource-monitor-guide/	12/28/2017 15:30	1539
8	Pooling large arrays with ArrayPool	https://adamsitnik.com/Array-Pool/	6/21/2017 6:56	1571
9	How to Create System Diagnostics Report in Windows 10	https://winaero.com/blog/system-diagnostics-report-windows-10/	7/14/2017 12:08	365
10	How to get the most out of Resource Monitor in Windows 10	https://techtalk.gfi.com/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-resource-monitor-in-windows-10/	8/3/2016 23:34	2209

Forum Feedback

To understand more about perfmon.exe and its functions, we went through different forums and message boards. In general, people were interested in perfmon.exe Windows7/Windows 10, perfmon.exe high CPU/high disk usage, and download perfmon.exe.

A forum poster complained that his computer’s CPU was running very high and that it seemed to be related to a process called perfmon.exe.

• He wanted to know more about it and if it was something dangerous like a virus.
• Other computer users explained to him that perfmon.exe is a legitimate Windows process and it usually doesn’t cause problems.
• However, they admit that some viruses can mask as legitimate files and that’s why he should run a scan with his antivirus and delete any infected files.

Another user also stated that he had issues with perfmon.exe. After researching it online, he discovered that it was called Resource and Performance Monitor process and that it might lead to high CPU usage when there was a scheduled PerfMon task.

Another individual commented that perfmon.exe is usually located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder and that it has a size of around 160,000 bytes. The user points out that it’s a necessary process for the proper functioning of your operating system and that as long as it’s located in the right folder, you don’t have anything to worry about.

A user states that he had come upon a perfmon.exe located in Program files and that it was larger than the usual perform.exe file. He mentions that if you find this executive file in Programs, it might be a virus, which is recording what you’re typing with the keyboard as well as your mouse input. So, you have to remove it as fast as possible.

A forum poster says that perfmon.exe is a legit Microsoft product that monitors your device performance. However, it shouldn’t run all the time because it’s eating up CPU power and the CPU might reach even 100%. The user also says that he is not sure why this process needs internet access.

Another computer owner states that perfmon.exe is useless in his opinion and that Microsoft should get rid of it in future Windows updates and introduce something that will run smooth. He also reports that his Windows 10 computer is working really slowly because of this process and that he has to perform system restore every few days to get his machine operational.

A computer owner observes that he has a curious issue with perfmon.exe. When he has the performance monitor running, his computer freezes every time he surfs the Net through Chrome and Firefox.

• He noticed that perfmon.exe was stuck on 25% and that he could barely move the mouse pointer.
• The user tried to block scripts, remove add-ons and reformatted his computer, but unsuccessfully.
• Other forum members said that the issue might not be with perfmon.exe but the browser instead or the Adobe Flash player.

A computer expert explains that perfmon.exe is a built-up tool that allows you to check how programs are affecting the performance of your computer. He adds that it’s completely safe, and it shows performance information in real-time or as historical data. The user mentions that if you can’t access the performance monitor, you might be dealing with corrupted files. In such cases, you should run a system check for damaged files and repair them.

Another user also complained of high CPU when perfmon is running.

• The person said that his CPU is high even when he is running nothing more than the Notepad and that he had noticed that his computer was getting hot to the touch even with no opened programs.
• After he reached the Microsoft community for help, they advised him to run the Performance Troubleshooter and try to identify the problem.
• They also remarked that he could open the Task Manager, locate perfmon.exe, click on it and select End Process.

A forum poster also wanted to know how to identify if perfmon.exe was malware because his computer was getting slower than usual.

• He also wondered if it was possible to uninstall perfmon.exe without compromising the integrity of his Windows.
• Other users said that he could open Control Panel > Add/Remove programs and that he could install perfmon.exe from there.
• However, they don’t recommend it because it’s an important element of the operational system and that he should contact Microsoft support if he had any problems with the Performance tool.

Conclusion

The perfmon.exe error comes from a wide range of causes. If ever you failed to find the needed fix online, it is suggested to actually contact a Microsoft support representative. The last fix you should consider is resorting to reformatting your computer.