What is aria2c.exe?

aria2c.exe is an executable file associated with the software aria2. aria2 is a lightweight multi-protocol & multi-source, cross-platform download utility operated in command-line. It supports HTTP/HTTPS, FTP, SFTP, BitTorrent and Metalink.

The associated software, aria2, is good for managing downloads. It can download a file from multiple sources/protocols and tries to utilize your maximum download bandwidth. It's often used in conjunction with other applications to provide download functionality.

aria2c.exe is needed if you are using any software that requires aria2 for download management. It's a legitimate tool and generally safe. Like any executable, it can potentially be used for malicious purposes if it's been modified or hijacked by malware. If you find its behavior suspicious, or if you don't use any software that requires aria2, you might consider removing it.

aria2c.exe is sometimes used by software like Motrix, a full-featured download manager that supports downloading HTTP, FTP, BitTorrent, Magnet, etc., and tools developed by Native Instruments or Rainsky Evgeny Valeryevich. It can also be found in the directory C:\ProgramData\CentraStage\AEMAgent, which is associated with the CentraStage platform, a remote monitoring and management solution.

Before removing aria2c.exe, make sure it's not required by any of your installed software. If you're unsure, consider using a reliable antivirus or antimalware program to scan the file and ensure it's not harmful.

Click to Run a Free Scan for aria2c.exe related errors

Aria2c.exe file information

Windows Task Manager with aria2c — Aria2c.exe process in Windows Task Manager

The process known as ShimGen generated shim - shim belongs to software ShimGen generated shim or Steinberg Download Assistant or Motrix by RealDimensions Software.

Description: Aria2c.exe is not essential for Windows and will often cause problems. The aria2c.exe file is located in a subfolder of "C:\ProgramData" or sometimes in a subfolder of the user's "Documents" folder or in a subfolder of C:\ (usually C:\ProgramData\CentraStage\AEMAgent\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Steinberg\Download Assistant\3rd Party\optional\aria2\). Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 4,824,064 bytes (56% of all occurrences), 5,649,408 bytes and 6 more variants.
The file is not a Windows core file. The program has no visible window. There is no file information. The process listens for or sends data on open ports to a LAN or the Internet. Therefore the technical security rating is 76% dangerous; but you should also compare this rating with the user reviews.

Uninstalling this variant: If problems with aria2c.exe occur, you can also do the following:
1) safely remove the program using the uninstall program of Native Instruments Native Access or Hydra (Control Panel ⇒ Uninstall a Program)
2) contact www.native-instruments.de Customer Service
3) update to a possibly bug-fixed version.

Recommended: Identify aria2c.exe related errors

If aria2c.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 92% dangerous. The file size is 5,649,408 bytes (41% of all occurrences), 5,320,704 bytes and 5 more variants. It is not a Windows system file. The program has no visible window. There is no information about the author of the file. The application listens for or sends data on open ports to a LAN or the Internet. Aria2c.exe is able to monitor applications.
Uninstalling this variant: If problems with aria2c.exe occur, you can also safely remove the program using the uninstall program of Hydra or Motrix (Control Panel ⇒ Uninstall a Program).
If aria2c.exe is located in a subfolder of Windows folder for temporary files, the security rating is 94% dangerous. The file size is 8,142,336 bytes (28% of all occurrences), 6,303,232 bytes, 8,136,704 bytes, 5,056,512 bytes or 5,949,966 bytes. There is no information about the author of the file. Aria2c.exe is not a Windows core file. The program has no visible window. The application uses ports to connect to or from a LAN or the Internet. Aria2c.exe is able to monitor applications.

Important: Some malware camouflages itself as aria2c.exe. Therefore, you should check the aria2c.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.

Score

User Comments

Component of Datto RMM (aka SentraStage, AEMAgent)
simplifi

Just a file downloader
Nathan (further information)

it's a driverpack processus
Fromy

It's a multi-protocol & multi-source command-line download utility.
Valentin (further information)

It is a file downloader.
Itsuki Okajima (further information)

If you use an android emulator called MuMu or Nemu (not Memuplay), it seems to create an aria2c.exe every time it launches in the temp folder. It is signed by NetEase in its properties. Link directs to download location
A random passerby

Designed for some download launchers

I am downloading ARMA3 and aria2c.exe is uploading something at the same time. aria2c.exe process is under 7Launcher ARMA3 in task manager. I do not know what aria2c.exe is uploading. if anyone knows please let me know.
Parham Torabi

aria2c is part of Native Instruments NTKDaemon and developed by Native Instruments GmbH according to the NTKDaemon.exe version information. NTKDaemon.exe's description is "NTKDaemon" NTKDaemon.exe is digitally signed by Native Instruments GmbH. aria2c is usually located in the 'C:\Program Files\Common Files\Native Instruments\NTK\' folder. I trust this is part of NI functionality.
David Ganem

it is used by my FFXIV custom launcher (dalamud) so not a threat, just using a lot of ressources

As a user already said, it is a component of the Datto RMM agent (CentraStage, AEMAgent) which is a commercially available PC management tool widely used by MSP consulting companies to provide end-user support. If your PC is a work computer, ask your IT team if Datto RMM is deployed to your PC before removing the process or related files. On the other hand, if there is no reason a management agent should be installed on your PC, it's possible your PC has been hacked.
James M (further information)

Summary: Average user rating of aria2c.exe: based on 12 votes with 11 user comments. 3 users think aria2c.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 3 users think it's probably harmless. 6 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 3 users don't grade aria2c.exe ("not sure about it").

Best practices for resolving aria2c issues

A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with aria2c. This means running a scan for malware, cleaning your hard drive using 1cleanmgr and 2sfc /scannow, 3uninstalling programs that you no longer need, checking for Autostart programs (using 4msconfig) and enabling Windows' 5Automatic Update. Always remember to perform periodic backups, or at least to set restore points.

Should you experience an actual problem, try to recall the last thing you did, or the last thing you installed before the problem appeared for the first time. Use the 6resmon command to identify the processes that are causing your problem. Even for serious problems, rather than reinstalling Windows, you are better off repairing of your installation or executing the 7DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command. This allows you to repair the operating system without losing data.

To get your computer running as fast as it did on day one, you can 8reset your PC. Your personal files will remain intact, but any programs you installed will need to be reinstalled.

To help you analyze the aria2c.exe process on your computer, the following programs have proven to be helpful: ASecurity Task Manager displays all running Windows tasks, including embedded hidden processes, such as keyboard and browser monitoring or Autostart entries. A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware or a Trojan. A good Bantivirus software detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, malware and trackers from your hard drive.

Other processes

gdbehave.sys appsrv.exe rtkngui.exe aria2c.exe isass.exe leagueclientuxrender.exe frameapplethook.x32.dll umbus.sys clfs.sys audialsnotifier.exe wisptis.exe [all]

	Do you have additional information?
What do you know about aria2c.exe:
How would you rate it:
Link for more info:
Your Name: