What’s netsession_win.exe (Akamai NetSession Client)? Is it safe or a virus?

The netsession_win.exe is a legitimate part of the Akamai NetSession Interface, a secure download manager from Akamai Technologies. Installed alongside apps like Adobe, Autodesk, Dell or Lenovo updates, it accelerates downloads by fetching content from Akamai’s servers or even peer computers on your network.

Though it runs in the background after login, uses minimal CPU/memory, and creates a firewall exception for efficient downloads, it’s optional. Users often remove it if they prefer not to use bandwidth or don’t need Akamai-based downloads.

Below are 4 simple steps you can take to see if the netsession_win.exe process is safe or malware.

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More about netsession_win.exe on WINDOWS

Who makes netsession_win.exe (Akamai NetSession Client)?

We’ve found Akamai Technologies, Inc. should be the publisher of netsession_win.exe.

How do we know? Our SpyShelter cybersecurity labs focuses on monitoring different types of Windows PC executables and their behaviors for our popular SpyShelter Antispyware software. Learn more about us, and how our cybersecurity team studies Windows PC executables/processes.

What does it mean if someone is the publisher of a PC .exe (executable or process)?

The publisher of an executable is the entity responsible for its distribution and authenticity. Most processes/executables on your PC should be signed. The signature on the executable should have been verified through a third party whose job it is to make sure the entity is who it says it is. Find an unsigned executable? You should consider scanning any completely unsigned .exe on your PC.

Last updated: July 4, 2025

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Our team at SpyShelter has been studying Windows PC executables for over 15 years, to help fight against spyware, malware, and other threats. SpyShelter has been featured in publications like The Register, PC Magazine, and many others. Now we’re working to share free, actionable, and easy to understand information about Windows executables (processes) with the world, to help as many people as possible keep their devices safe. Learn more about us on our "About SpyShelter” page.

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