CompatTelRunner.exe: How to fix or disable

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What is CompatTelRunner.exe? It is a component of Windows Compatibility Telemetry, it periodically sends anonymous usage and performance data to Microsoft developers to help improve Windows. The default location C:/Windows/System32/. A frequent user complaint is abnormally high disk and CPU use that causes lags and slow system boot. Let’s take a look at how to fix this issue and how to disable CompatTelRunner.exe in particular. 

Name CompatTelRunner.exe
Description Part of Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry
Location C:/Windows/System32/
Type Win32 EXE
Size  141 Kb
Developer Microsoft Corporation
Digital signature Yes
Target systems Windows 7 (with latest updates), Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10

How to disable CompatTelRunner.exe?

Method 1. Task Scheduler.

To disable CompatTelRunner.exe without removing it, use Task Scheduler. Launch the Run window (Win+R), there type taskschd.msc and press OK. Open the following folders: Task Scheduler Library – Microsoft – Windows, and click on Application Experience. 

disable CompatTelRunner.exe

Choose Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser task, right-click it and select Disable. In most cases, disabling this item helps to solve high disk usage and does not cause system errors. 

Method 2. The Group Policy Editor.

Launch Run (Win+R) and input gpedit.msc, then press OK. Follow the path: Computer Configuration – Administrative Templates – Windows Components – Data Collection – Preview Builds. In this folder, you should double-click Allow Telemetry. 

Group Policy Editor

In a new window select Disable option, then click Apply and OK. After that, you can check whether it works using the Task Manager. If a problem persists, try the next method.

Method 3. Via registry.

Open the Registry Editor by typing regedit in the Run window (Win+R). At the left side follow the path: HKEY_Local_Machine – Software – Policies – Microsoft – Windows – Data Collection. Right-click on the right side and select DWORD (32-bit) Value.

DWORD Value in registry

Enter Allow Telemetry into Value name, type 0 in Value data bar end save changes. Reboot and there should be no more RAM and CPU overload.

Method 4. Deleting telemetry runner.   

Please, note, that CompatTelRunner.exe is digitally signed and is not recommended to remove. It may cause unexpected issues with system stability. Anyhow, a user is not allowed to modify or delete this file by default (Access is denied). But there’s a bypass. First, one has to change the ownership.

Log in as an administrator and find CompatTelRunner, right-click it and select Properties, go to the Security tab. As you notice, administrators and users only have Read and Execute permissions. To get full access one has to transfer the ownership from TrustedInstaller to Administrators.

fix CompatTelRunner.exe

Click the Advanced button, and see that the current owner of CompatTelRunner is TrustedInstaller. Click the Change Permissions item and type Administrators in a new window, then OK. 

change permissions

Now open the Properties window of CompatTelRunner.exe, select the Security tab again. Choose Administrators in the list and click the Edit button. Select Administrators again and check the box Allow Full control, then press OK.

windows telemetry issues

Now you can find this application in the System32 folder, and delete it using the context menu. Afterwards, reboot and the problem should be solved. 

How to fix high CPU use by CompatTelRunner.exe

Method 1. Optimize telemetry collection.

Microsoft uses telemetry to study how people use Windows 10 for everyday tasks. The more actively the OS is run,  the more telemetry collecting and processing takes place. This leads to high resource consumption, which is a trouble we’re talking about. In case you don’t have administrator rights (say, it is a corporate machine), try reducing high CPU load in the following way:

  1. Close all third-party software. Press the Windows button on the keyboard and enter Diagnostics & feedback. Open it.
  2. Change the next items: Diagnostic data – set to Basic, Improve inking and typing – set to Off, Tailored experiences – set to Off.
  3. Reboot PC.

Diagnostics & feedback Windows

Method 2. Turn off telemetry.

  1. Press Win+R at the same time. Type services.msc and press Enter.
  2. Find Connected User Experiences and Telemetry, right-click to open Properties.
  3. Change Startup Type to Disabled and Service status to Off.
  4. Restart Windows.

delete CompatTelRunner.exe

How to prevent CompatTelRunner issues?

  1. Scan and repair broken Windows system files.

One option is the SFC command. Press Win+X, select Command Prompt (Admin) from the context menu and click Yes. Type sfc /scannow to start scanning and repairing. This process may take some time, reboot afterwards.

sfc /scannow scan and repair

  1. Check the disk for errors.

Press the Windows key and type cmd, right-click Command Prompt and press Run as administrator. Type the chkdsk C: /f /r /x command and press Enter. Wait for the process to complete, and restart the PC. After reboot the repaired drive should run without issues.

chkdsk command prompt

  1. Update Windows.

Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry is a Windows OS component that can also be updated and thus fix CompatTelRunner.exe issues. Go to Settings – Update & Security settings – Windows Update and run the update.

  1. Scan PC for malware and viruses.

Malware can disguise as system processes, to detect it run a reliable scanner or antivirus software. Find out about the best free choices in our Anti-malware review.

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About author

Alex started to develop software as early as in his school years, when he was 16 years old. These first attempts were gaming and healthcare mobile apps. During the high school period he has been producing trading bots and various trading software. Afterwards, he used to manage offline businesses, yet still devoting spare time to online gambling niche and web development. In 2011, Alex finally decided to launch an IT outsourcing company specializing in mobile apps and fintech. Since then, the team has also developed several proprietary products. In 2015 the company took on a commitment to solely concentrate on its own trademarked products and IT marketing activity.