# AdGuard Application: AdGuard Also called ad guard, adguard windows, adguard premium AdGuard, Security A desktop HTTPS filtering app, not only a browser extension. The window is Adguard.exe. It is not uBlock Origin. ## What you need to know Adguard.exe is a desktop filter. uBlock Origin is an extension. AdGuard for Windows can filter HTTPS for more than one browser. uBlock Origin cannot. An AV that also decrypts HTTPS can fight this cert. This is not Defender. - **What is it?**: Desktop HTTPS filter. Not only an extension **Same as uBlock?**: No. uBlock is browser-only **Plus AV HTTPS scan?**: Two decryptors can break sites Feex says If Adguard.exe is installed, I would treat it as a desktop filter, not uBlock. I would not stack it on another HTTPS-scanning antivirus without expecting cert warnings. I would not call it Windows Security. ## What is AdGuard? AdGuard for Windows is a desktop HTTPS filtering app. Adguard.exe is the process. uBlock Origin is an extension in the browser, not this exe. ## If you have never used it If you wanted system-wide filtering on Windows, this is AdGuard the desktop app, not uBlock Origin. Download it from adguard.com. Adguard.exe can decrypt HTTPS to filter outside one browser. uBlock Origin is a browser extension only. An antivirus HTTPS scan plus AdGuard is a second decryptor fight. This is not Windows Security. ## What is it used for? **Filter apps, not only Chrome** The desktop app can see traffic from other programs. uBlock cannot. **HTTPS filtering** AdGuard installs a cert to read HTTPS. That is why some AV HTTPS scanners fight it. **Browser extension sibling** adguard.com also ships an extension. That extension is not Adguard.exe. ## Who is it for? - People who want filtering outside one browser - Users who already run uBlock and wonder why they also have Adguard.exe - Anyone whose AV complains about a new root cert ## Current status Actively sold. This article is AdGuard for Windows, not only the extension. ## How old is it? AdGuard began in 2009. The Windows app is older than most "just install uBlock" advice. Current builds are AdGuard for Windows. The browser extension is a thinner sibling. ## Versions Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here. AdGuard for Windows Browser extension AdGuard DNS (other product) ## System requirements Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need. ### Minimum | Operating system | Windows 10 or Windows 11, per AdGuard for Windows | | ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | | RAM | Light to moderate. HTTPS filtering adds CPU, not a huge RAM floor | ## Resource profile - **CPU demand**: HTTPS decrypt on new connections **Network demand**: Filter lists update ## Installed processes These executables belong to this product when it is installed. | Adguard.exe | Desktop filter. Not an extension-only process | | ----------- | --------------------------------------------- | ## Startup components Adguard.exe can start with Windows so filtering is on before the browser. ## File locations | Typical install | C:\Program Files\AdGuard\\ | | --------------- | -------------------------- | ## Common problems ### Two HTTPS decryptors AdGuard plus a suite that also scans HTTPS can break banking sites. Pick one decryptor. ### People think uBlock is this exe uBlock lives in the browser. Adguard.exe is a Windows install. ## Getting unstuck ### Install from adguard.com A "AdGuard free 2026" host is not the vendor. uBlock is on the Chrome Web Store or addons.mozilla.org. ### If a bank page fails, disable HTTPS filtering as a test That toggle is in AdGuard. It is not a Windows certificate repair first step. ### Do not add a second desktop filter Two system filters fight. Keep uBlock in the browser or AdGuard on the desktop, not two decryptors. ## Alternatives uBlock Origin if you only need one browser. Windows Security if you meant antivirus. GlassWire if you wanted a network graph. ## Official help and downloads Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel. | Download | [adguard.com/ ](https://adguard.com/)Official installer or vendor page | | ------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Help | [adguard.com/support.html ](https://adguard.com/support.html)Vendor support | | Official site | [adguard.com/ ](https://adguard.com/)Start here, not a random exe host | ## Related hardware HTTPS filtering uses CPU on every new connection. That is the decrypt cost, not a GPU job. ## Technical details Technical details Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build. ## Related These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link. [GlassWire: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/glasswire)[Windows Security: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/windows-security)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager) ## Sources and verification Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research). - [AdGuard official site ](https://adguard.com/)· Vendor product page - [AdGuard help ](https://adguard.com/support.html)· Vendor support - [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark. ## Was this article useful? A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note. Quick facts The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article. - **Developer**: AdGuard **Category**: Desktop HTTPS filter **Process**: Adguard.exe **License**: Paid Windows app. A free browser extension also exists **First released**: 2009 **Official site**: [adguard.com](https://adguard.com/) **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026 --- Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/adguard/) [Developer guide](https://feex.it/wiki/developers/) | [API policy](https://feex.it/developers/api-policy/) | [Agent guidance](https://feex.it/wiki/llms.txt)