Not sure what Akamai NetSession Client is and if you should keep it? When you buy a new PC or laptop, there’s a good chance it comes bundled with an application called Akamai NetSession Client. This tool may be deemed to be bloatware by some users, but for others it is a useful addition. One of the benefits of Akamai is it claims to boost the speed of downloads, which is why it is used by so many media and software developers.
A very frequent question arises when people realize Akamai NetSession Client is on their machine and want to know if it’s a virus. Because many users don’t know what the software is, they have concerns. Of course, most users simply check the “I agree” box to accept bundled software on Windows so don’t pay attention to Akamai.
When they finally realize the program is there, they wrongly believe it is malware and seek to remove it. In this article, we will explain what Akamai NetSession Client is, its role on your PC and whether you should remove it or not.
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What is Akamai NetSession Client?
Akamai NetSession is a bundle of applications and software tools that are often pre-installed on desktops and laptops. Known as a download manager, Akamai accesses both public and private networks to boost download speeds on slow connections. It is arguable the software is increasingly obsolete as people embrace superfast internet.
Image: https://www.akamai.com/es/es/products/media-delivery/netsession-interface-overview.jsp
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However, for many people around the world, slow internet speeds are a daily occurrence. On paper, Akamai can help you overcome those speeds when you want to download content. Here’s how the app developer describes the tool:
“We’ve designed NetSession Interface to reside on your machine with negligible impact on memory, CPU capacity or disk space. Its purpose is to improve the speed, reliability and efficiency for downloads and streams, and to do that securely and without violating your privacy or intruding on your computing.”
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Should I Block Akamai NetSession Client?
Because Akamai accesses networks, it can sometimes share data across that connection, resulting in a potentially slow performance for an individual machine. If you experience a slow PC when Akamai NetSession Client is uploading, you should think about disabling the software temporarily.
Blocking Akamai is relatively easy by following the steps below:
Step 1. Open the Control Panel on Windows 10 (Start menu or by searching).
Step 2. Navigate to the preference tab.
Step 3. Locate the service sections and select the stop service toggle next to Akamai NetSession.
Another way to temporarily shut down Akamai is through the Task Manager. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1. Open the Task Manager (ctrl + alt + delete).
Step 2. Location the netsession_win.exe process.
Step 3. Choose to “End” the task.
Akamai will now be blocked on your PC and won’t engage in any bandwidth activity until you restart Windows. Yes, this is a temporary solution that is ideal if you just want to disable the client for a specific amount of time.
Is Akamai NetSession a Virus?
While some may argue Akamai NetSession is unnecessary and bloatware, it is certainly not a virus or malicious in any way. In fact, some of the biggest PC software and hardware vendors bundle the software into their new laptops.
For example, NetSession is designed to help your PC in terms of speed and reliability. There is no spyware, adware, ransomware, or any other nefarious content included in the program. However, it is worth noting Akamai does monitor your usage habits, but many apps do that these days.
If you want to check the version of Akamai NetSession Client you have is legitimate, it is located at C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Akamai. Any other folder locations could indicate a fake malware version and you should run a scan with your antivirus solution.
Is Akamai NetSession Safe?
As mentioned above, Akamai is completely safe and free from viruses and the like. That said, some users simply don’t like their PC activity being monitored. NetSession uses a computer when it is idle and is constantly monitoring your network use. This information is sent to Akamai. If you don’t like this practice, you can remove Akamai from your PC.
Is It Safe To Remove Akamai NetSession Client?
If you have decided to remove Akamai NetSession, the process for doing so is very straightforward. Before removing the software, we would recommend disabling it via the method above. By doing this, you can compare the difference in PC performance and decide if its worth removing. In some cases, keeping NetSession on your PC is beneficial for downloads.
To completely uninstall Akamai NetSession, following this path:
Step 1. Open the Windows 10 Control Panel (Start menu or through a search).
Step 2. Select “programs & features”.
Step 3. Search through your list of installed apps (ordered alphabetically) and located Akamai NetSession.
Step 4. Right click the app in the list and choose to uninstall.
And there it is, Akamai NetSession Client has now been removed from your PC.
FAQs
Is Akamai NetSession a virus?
While many users don’t realize its there, Akamai NetSession is a legitimate program for managing download speeds.
Is Akamai NetSession Safe?
Akamai is completely safe
How did Akamai NetSession get on my PC?
Akamai NetSession Client is often pre-installed on Windows 10 laptops when they are new.
Can I remove Akamai from my PC?
It is possible to remove Akamai NetSession from a PC like you would any other program or app.
