2 Intern
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17 Posts
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2701
October 23rd, 2025 02:33
XPS 8930, Windows 11, how do I permanently get rid of All KILLER related apps and drivers?
After updating to W11, these awful KILLER apps and processes have returned and reduced my upload speed to less than 1mb!!! Normally I get 30mbs up. Now simple pages won't load.
Dell XPS 8930, 32 gbs RAM, Intel i9. x64 W11 Home 24H2, OS 26100.6584, WIRED Ethernet direct to router/modem. The ethernet adapter is Killer E2400 Gigabit Ethernet Controller.
The same thing happened in W10 on same machine but problem was fully solved by the KillerSoftwareUninstaller tool, which also disabled Killer permanently from coming back on every single update. I didnt have to reinstall any drivers or anything.
However, I tried the same tool after the update to W11, and it removes Killer, and everything works better for a day or so, then suddenly everything slows down and Killer is back.
PLEASE help me get this awful suite of useless Killer tools off of my machine forever!
Thank you!
Additional info/updates:
I contacted Intel (who owns Killer) and they said this: "Windows 11 maintains a driver store cache that can automatically reinstall what it considers "preferred" drivers, even after you've removed them. The system recognizes your Killer hardware ID and keeps pulling that branded driver through Windows Update, completely overriding your manual removal efforts. This explains why the KillerSoftwareUninstaller works temporarily but then everything reverts after a day or so."
"You probably need to perform a clean driver installation process that involves purging the entire driver store of Killer-related files, blocking Windows Update from auto-reinstalling them, and replacing them with Dell provided drivers rather than Intel generic drivers (since Killer hardware is actually based on Intel chipsets)."
"We suggest reaching out to Dell Technologies for assistance with downloading the appropriate OEM driver for your specific system. Dell is best equipped to assist with OEM-specific products and can provide more specialized guidance for your particular system configuration."
I don't know how to do any of the above so I am hoping someone can help with step by step instructions OR provide other solutions.
Thanks again!
musicmafia
2 Intern
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17 Posts
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November 22nd, 2025 20:45
SOLVED!!! HERE'S WHAT FINALLY WORKED FOR ME (with no registry tweaks or driver installs needed):
Search for "killer software uninstaller" from Major Geeks and download the uninstaller tool.
Run the Killer Uninstaller Software then let it scan for Killer software (1st button).
Then hit REMOVE Killer Software. After it is done removing the components, it will say a restart is required, but don’t restart yet!
Click the 3rd button to DISABLE Killer Software from being reinstalled by updates.
THEN RESTART.
The uninstaller tool removes Killer every time. For some, it may be a permanent fix. For others, Killer will come back with various Windows, Dell or other updates. IF IT COMES BACK, HERE'S WHAT FIXED IT FOR ME PERMANENTLY:
In Task Manager > Services, STOP "KILLER NETWORK SERVICE" but leave Killer Analytics Service > Running. The analytics service is not the problem.
NEXT STEP: Click on Properties in the Task Manager > Details to determine the path of the KILLER NETWORK SERVICE file. It is usually: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\RiverNetwork\Killer\Killer Network Service.exe
FINAL STEP: RENAME the .exe file by placing two underlines ahead of the filename: "__Killer Network Service.exe" (Thanks to JMallard in the Dell Forums for this tip!)
RESTART YOUR COMPUTER, CHECK YOUR UPLOAD SPEED, RE-RUN THE UNINSTALLER TOOL IF NEEDED.
The combination of the uninstaller tool PLUS renaming the Killer Network Service file has worked flawlessly for me so far. Hope it works for you too. Good luck!
anne_droid
5 Journeyman
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2K Posts
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October 23rd, 2025 08:41
Hi
Dunno.
Hope this helps....
There are W11 sites out there that document this far more cleverly than me (but with more adverts and cookies).
https://windowsforum.com/threads/how-to-prevent-windows-11-from-auto-installing-device-drivers-complete-guide.361477/#google_vignette
musicmafia
2 Intern
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17 Posts
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October 24th, 2025 19:07
Sorry, I am unclear about the above suggestions. How will "hiding" Windows updates resolve this? Ideally I want updates, especially important ones, I just don't want the Killer to re-install.
As for the Windows link, it contains a lot of instructions that I don't understand. Everything tells me to go to Dell and get updated or different drivers (not Killer) but I can't find anything here.
anne_droid
5 Journeyman
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2K Posts
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7.4K Points
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October 25th, 2025 15:36
You exclude the killer updates.
Sorry for any confusion.
musicmafia
2 Intern
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17 Posts
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November 7th, 2025 23:24
i'm still lost. i don't know how to do this. these killer processes are now returning every couple days.
anne_droid
5 Journeyman
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2K Posts
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7.4K Points
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November 8th, 2025 10:05
Hi
A good internet search offers .....
To permanently block Windows Update from reinstalling Killer E2400 drivers, you can use the following key methods:
1. Use Registry Edit to Exclude Driver Updates
Add or modify the registry key at:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdateCreate a DWORD value named
ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdateand set it to1.This tells Windows Update to exclude driver updates from quality updates, effectively blocking automatic Killer driver reinstalls.
Restart the PC for changes to take effect.
2. Use Device Installation Settings to Disable Automatic Driver Updates
Open Control Panel > System > Advanced System Settings > Hardware tab > Device Installation Settings.
Select "No (your device might not work as expected)" to prevent Windows from automatically downloading driver software.
After setting this, uninstall the Killer driver via Device Manager and reinstall the preferred version manually.
This will stop Windows from pushing the Killer driver update again.
3. Use Microsoft's "Show or Hide Updates" Troubleshooter Tool
Download and run the "wushowhide.diagcab" tool from Microsoft.
Use it to hide the Killer driver update from being downloaded and installed by Windows Update in the future.
This tool prevents specific driver updates from reinstalling automatically.
4. Use Killer Software Uninstaller Tool
Run the Killer Uninstaller tool to remove Killer software fully.
After uninstalling, use the option in that tool called "Disable Killer From Windows Update"; this installs a stub driver that blocks Windows Update from reinstalling Killer drivers.
Reboot after completing these steps.
5. Group Policy Editor (for Windows Pro and above)
Open
gpedit.mscand navigate to:Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Do not include drivers with Windows Updates.
Enable this policy to globally block driver updates via Windows Update.
Together, these methods effectively stop Windows Update from reinstalling Killer E2400 Ethernet drivers permanently. For best results, combine the registry tweak with device installation settings or the Killer Uninstaller tool's blocking feature.
SLFV
1 Rookie
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1 Message
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2 Points
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April 5th, 2026 15:45
I tried musicmafia's advice to run the Killer Software Unistaller and rename the KillerNetworkService.exe file, but Killer kept coming back. Here's what finally worked for me:
1. Run services.msc.
2. Scroll down until you see the services that start with Killer.
3. For each one, right click on it. If it is running, click stop. Then click on properties, and under startup type, click disabled. Then click OK.
4. Reboot your PC.
This solved the slow internet upload speed I was experiencing, and the Killer services have not started running again.
Good luck!
PA.WOODCHUCK
2 Intern
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24 Posts
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April 7th, 2026 15:52
Not sure why but issue fixed itself, maybe recent update?