XPS 8960, advice before uninstalling the Killer Control Center App

Question

My XPS 8960 came with the Killer Control Center app for my Killer WiFi adapter. Intel has great information about this app on its website, notably in the FAQs.

Honestly, my typical use cases do not come anywhere close to the scenarios that would benefit from the Killer Control Center. If anything, the app is overkill. Moreover, I really don't want another app that monitors my computer and makes decisions for me, and I don't want an app that might potentially conflict with my router's settings.

I'm comfortable with uninstalling the app (I can always reinstall it at another time) but before I do, has anyone actually experienced problems after uninstalling the Killer Control Center?

RoHe · Accepted Answer

Lots of users running Win 10 and Win 11 have experienced poor/terrible internet speed performance when Killer Control Center and Killer services are running. In fact, Windows Update force-installed a new Intel (Killer) SoftwareComponent in last ~1-2 weeks that's causing poor upload speeds, again. Read comments here and here.

For starters, I'd compare internet performance with and without Killer software running. You could use Speedtest. First test with everything running.

Then rather than immediately uninstalling Killer, click Start>Run>services.msc. When services.msc opens, set the Startup type for all Killer services (and xTend services, if listed) to Disabled. Then disable Killer Control Center on Startup tab in Task Manager so it won't load at every boot. Reboot and test internet speeds again.

If you see a big difference, you'll have good info on what to do next. If disabling Killer improves performance, you can just leave everything disabled. You don't have to uninstall anything. If performance was same or better with Killer running, just re-enable the Killer services and Control Center.

I've disabled everything Killer on my XPS 8930 (Win 10) because their software kills my internet speed. There was a version that slowed download speeds to a crawl, and the last few versions slowed upload speeds to almost zero.

Keep in mind that every time Windows Update force-installs an Intel (Killer) update, all their services and software will be re-enabled. So if internet performance suddenly drops in the future, check to see if their software is running again.

Your PC, your decision...

MastiffX · Answer

@RoHe​  Thanks for your reply. I am aware of those earlier discussions and the difficulties you were facing. I have not experienced a drop in internet speed myself. I have a personal preference for not interfering with Windows internals unless absolutely necessary. Since I'm unlikely to take advantage of the KCC app, I'd sooner delete the app.

RoHe · Answer

Uninstalling KCC doesn't uninstall the Killer services. I uninstalled KCC on this PC, but I still have the Killer services. From services.msc:

There's no harm in disabling those services. You can always re-enable them in services.msc and sooner/later they'll get re-enabled when Intel releases another Killer update.

Besides, the Killer services are totally irrelevant to Windows function, and you could set a system restore point or image the boot drive, if you're concerned...

Mariuccia · Answer

@RoHe​ Was having the computer crawl again tonight and came upon your advice.  Disabled Killer Aps on Start-up as suggested and the whole device kicked into high gear with a noticeable improvement in speed.  Thanks.  M Austern

RoHe · Answer

@Mariuccia​  Glad to hear that!  Was a recent Killer software update installed via Windows Update (probably disguised as an Intel update) that enabled all those Killer services again?

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XPS 8960, advice before uninstalling the Killer Control Center App

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